Obituary of Hans Wawrousek DR

Niskayuna-Hans W. Wawrousek 85 of Niskayuna died December 18 at the Eddy Village Green nursing home in Cohoes. He had Alzheimer's Disease. Born in Germany, Hans spent almost his entire life in the US. He grew up in Brooklyn and Albany, and graduated from the Albany school system. He entered the US army directly out of high school, serving in Europe during World War II. While stationed in Vienna, Austria, he met Maria, his beloved wife of 54 years, who predeceased him in 2001. He attended RPI in Troy, where he earned BS, MS and PhD degrees in metallurgy. Dr. Wawrousek was employed by GE his entire professional career, in Pittsfield, MA, Auburn, NY and Schenectady. During his career, Hans was awarded several patents for his work. Hans was an avid skier, and enjoyed model trains, and sailing and boating on Lake George. Early in retirement, he pursued a life-long ambition to fly small aircraft, and earned a private pilot's license. Following heart surgery, Hans became an active participant in St. Claire's cardiac rehabilitation program, working-out about three times a week. He is survived by three sons, Hans Jr. and wife Barbara of Black River, NY, Eric of Washington, DC, and Paul of Schenectady, and three granddaughters, Laura Snyder and husband Neil of Clarksville, TN, Karen Wawrousek and husband Shane Murphy of Golden, CO, and Mary Lucente and husband Scott of Wappingers Falls, NY. Funeral services will be private for family. There will be no calling hours. Memorial contributions may be made in Hans memory to the Alzheimers Association, Pine West Plaza, Bldg 4, suite 405, Washington Ave. Ext., Albany, NY 12205-5515.