More detail on this person: Lt Col Eugene D Or Spark Nowak, 60 Lt. Col. Eugene D. Nowak Daily News (Bowling Green, KY) - Wednesday, July 8, 2009 Lt. Col. Eugene D. "Spark" Nowak, 60, of Saxeville, Wis., died July 6, 2009, after a long fought battle with lung cancer while visiting his daughters and grandchildren over the Fourth of July weekend in Bowling Green. The Oshkosh, Wis., native was born July 29, 1948. He grew up in Oshkosh and attended Oaklawn Elementary, Merrill Middle and Oshkosh High School. Spark was awarded the honor of Eagle Scout at the Twin Lakes Boy Scouts Camp, where he spent many happy years developing the skills that would serve him for the rest of his life. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Cameron University in Lawton, Okla. He obtained his Master of Arts degree from the University of Illinois. He retired as master aviator after serving 25 years in the Army. After enlisting in the Army in 1966, he quickly distinguished himself as a leader by becoming a warrant officer. Spark served two years as an aviator with the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam, where he was awarded a battlefield promotion to first lieutenant. During his career, he was awarded 13 medals and ribbons, including the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorius Service Medal and the Air Medal. Spark was also an accomplished businessman. He proudly worked for the American Red Cross, as well as for Citicorp in Hagerstown, Md., and Delta Airlines in Newnan, Ga., as a member of their executive teams. He felt fortunate enough to travel the world many times over for the military and for pleasure. One of his most memorable trips was to the homeland of his ancestors in Poland. Spark could accomplish anything he set his mind to do. He adored his family. Every bit the optimist, he made the most of every minute of his life and always looked to give a helping hand. He had a giving heart and made himself available to anyone who asked. His close friends called him "Saint Sparky." He was a son of the late John Nowak and Lorraine Gust, who survives. A private memorial service will be held at Twin Lakes Boy Scout Camp. J.C. Kirby & Son Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Bay Lakes Counsel at Camp Twin Lakes, P.O. Box 267, Appleton, WI 54912-0267. Other survivors include his wife of 40 years, Sandra; two daughters, Kim Prenter and her husband, Josh, and Kandice Pohlmann and her husband, Bill; a brother, Mike Nowak and sister-in-law, Cindy; a brother-in-law, Dan Fritz, and sister-in-law, Jean; his mother-in-law, Lucille Fritz; and his six beloved grandchildren, Celeste, Juliet, Gwenyth, Cameron, MacKenna and David.
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