Born in Lorain, Ohio, he graduated with high distinction from DePauw University and earned a Ph. D. from Cornell University in 1959. He taught at Oberlin College and Haverford College before coming to Willamette University in 1961. At Willamette he taught organic chemistry for 37 years before retiring in 1998. He was a founding member of the Willamette University chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. He was a member of the American Chemical Society and of Sigma Xi, the scientific research society. He was proud of his Slovak heritage and was a member of the First Catholic Slovak Union. He was a founding member of Queen of Peace parish where he had served as Chair of the Education Commission and as President of the Parish Council. After his retirement, he and his wife Mary Jo moved to Capital Manor Retirement community where he enjoyed his life there where they made many long-lasting friendships.
A devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather, he is survived by his wife, Mary Jo, whom he married in 1963; daughters Lisa (Chuck) Martin, Salem, Ann (Tony) Echavia, Pleasanton, California, and Carol (Gregg) Young, Novato, California; brother Gregory (Sue) Hudak, Austin, Texas and grandchildren Katie, Michael and Christina Echavia, and Samantha Young.
A Visitation service will be held at the Virgil T. Golden Funeral Home at 7:30 p.m., on Friday March 24th. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at Queen of Peace Church at 10:30 am, on Saturday March 25th, followed by internment in Belcrest Memorial Park, and reception at Capital Manor Community Center, 2090 Manorview Circle, Salem, Oregon at 2:00.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius, Danville, PA or to the Norman J. Hudak scholarship fund at Willamette University. This is the link for the donation page:
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