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- Col. Jon F. Nitkowski (Ret.), 73, Loudon, Tennessee, lost his tenacious battle with pancreatic cancer on July 28. Jon was born in Oshkosh, son of Walter and Elizabeth Nitkowski and graduated from Oshkosh High School in 1956. He was appointed to the United States Military Academy at West Point, and graduated with the rank of Second Lieutenant in 1961. Jon also held a Master's degree from the University of Utah.
He was the youngest Commander to head a Nike Missile Base during the Cold War (1965-67): C-47 in Wheeler, Indiana. Jon served three tours in Vietnam, one in place of his younger brother, Jim; and earned a Silver Star, three Bronze Stars for Valor and five Purple Hearts for his service in that conflict. After Vietnam, Jon was sent to West Point to teach Leadership. He was proud to be on the Academy's staff, particularly for his roles in integrating women into the corps and the elimination of harassing practices directed at first-year cadets. (plebes)
In the early 1990's when Saddam Hussein waged war in the Persian Gulf, Jon was again called to serve by commanders in Washington, D.C. Although retired, he answered the call to command the forces that crippled Hussein's Republican Guard.
Following his military retirement, Jon worked as an engineer in the aerospace industry. Jon loved sailing, racing and restoring his 1965 Mustang. He also enjoyed participating in the Vintage Car Club and Polish Heritage Group in Tellico Village.
Jon married Mary Fraik in 2001. They lived in a cabin they built on the Menominee River in Michigan, and moved to the foothills of the Smoky Mountains in 2004. Jon was preceded in death by his daughter, Wendy, his parents and brother, Jim. He is survived by his wife, Mary, his son, Steven Nitkowski (Columbia, MO), stepsons Mark Matiszik (St. Louis, MO) and C.J. Matiszik (Hermosa Beach, CA) and their spouses, grandchildren, Tavin, Sophie, Libby and Luke Matiszak, as well as sisters, Mary Ann Nevitt and Kate Rogge (Oshkosh).
A celebration of Jon's life was held on August 1 at the Tellico Village Community Church. Later this fall, Jon will be laid to rest at West Point, with full military honors.
Memorials may be made to the Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Cancer Research Center - Pancreatic Cancer.
The Nitkowski family would like to thank everyone on the University of Tennessee Hospice Team for their wonderful care and support these last weeks.
"Jon, we thank you for your service to this country. We salute you and your family for all the sacrifices endured during and after your service. God's blessing be upon you. May you rest in peace."
Click Funeral Home & Cremations: 865.458.6767
Published in Oshkosh Northwestern on Aug. 5, 2012
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1938 - 2012 (73 years)
