LAND O’LAKES, FL – Adam Stanley Kochanek, 81, (1943-2025) passed away peacefully on Friday, January 10th, 2025 surrounded by loving family.
Stan was born in Chicopee, Massachusetts on March 6th, 1943, the son of Helen and Stanley Kochanek. Stan spent his formative years in Chicopee doing science experiments with friends in the neighborhood streets and taking long solo bike rides.
Stan attended Worcester Polytechnic Institute and received a B.S. Mathematics in 1964, and a second B.S. in Mechanical Engineering in 1969. He used this knowledge and experience while serving in the U.S. Navy on the aircraft carrier the U.S.S. Wright CC2 in the early 1970s where he programmed and maintained data processing systems and programmed the computers as part of the backup site for the Pentagon and their top commanders as part of their preparations in Washington, D.C. emergencies. He also was a programmer for the simulations exercises for the military’s War Games.
Stan met his wife Crete through their shared love of music performance. They settled in Westfield, Massachusetts to start their family. Stan was known by friends and family for his curiosity, love of knowledge, sharp wit, dedication, kindness, and generosity. He could always be convinced to climb a mountain, take a bike ride, or read a new book. Stan participated with friends in triathlons and road races, and he helped build two family houses with his own hands. He tutored his children’s friends in math at the kitchen table. His voice rang out in performances with the choir at Church of the Atonement in Westfield. Later in life he and Crete discovered a shared love of traveling in Europe.
More recently Stan found a work home at Asnuntuck Community College in Enfield, Connecticut where he was a vital component to the Advanced Manufacturing Program for years. He was a mentor to instructors and strived to transfer his vast knowledge to them to help the program continue to grow. Upon his retirement in February 2021 Stan was awarded Emeritus Status at Asnuntuck Community College.
Stan was predeceased by his wife Crete Kochanek (nee Liadrakis) in 2012. He is survived by his children Victoria Ladd and husband Damian, Evangeline Thompson and husband Charles, Dina Kochanek and wife Meghan Savitski, grandchildren River, Stella, and Lennon Ladd and Helen Savitski Kochanek, and his sister Adele Chester.
Service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, January 31st at Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street, Agawam, MA 01001. Email [email protected] for information regarding the post-ceremony gathering and any other inquiries.
