Anthony Joseph Kopacz

CAPT Anthony Joseph Kopacz USN (Ret) passed away 17 January 2013. He was born 9 April 1943 to Anthony Paul Kopacz and Agnes Vargo Kopacz in Cleveland, Ohio.He enlisted in the US Navy 11 September 1961 and served until 30 September 2001. He served in the submarine force aboard USS Entemedor (SS 340) and USS Thomas Jefferson (SSBN 618) Gold Crew until 1968. He then attended North Carolina State through the NESEP (Navy Enlisted Scientific Educational Program) graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering and a full commission.After commissioning in 1972, he reported to USS Voge (DE 1047) where he served as Electronic Material Officer, Naval Tactical Data System Officer and Combat Information Center (CIC) Officer. Following this tour, he served as Commissioning CIC Officer aboard USS Paul F. Foster (DD 964), Commissioning Weapons Officer aboard USS O'Brien (DD 975) and Combat Systems Officer for Commander, Destroyer Squadron FIVE. Subsequently, he attended Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California where he earned a Master of Science Degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. Following graduate school, he served as Commissioning Executive Officer aboard USS Ford (DDG 54) and then at the Pentagon on the staff of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy in the area of Space, Command and Control, earning a subspecialty in Command and Control Acquisition. He next had command of USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG 60) and USS Curts (FFG 38) in Yokosuka, Japan. After Japan he graduated from the National War College and served with the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, J-8 Force Structure Resources, Assessments and Requirements. He returned to sea to Command USS Bunker Hill (CG 52), in Yokosuka, Japan and as Chief of Staff, Third Fleet aboard USS Coronado (AFG 11), San Diego, California. Following this tour he returned to National War College where he served as Chief Naval Officer and Instructor. After serving 40 years, Captain Kopacz retired.In 2000, while COS at Third Fleet CAPT Kopacz started vintage racing the family car, a 1970 Porsche 911T. During the 12 years he raced at least 60 times on tracks from the West Coast to the East Coast supported by Wayne Baker Racing and drove a friend'?s 911 (FIA prepared) Porsche at Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium in three different races including the 6 hours Enduro. His last race was the Coronado Speed Festival in 2012.Immediately after Tony'?s retirement from the Navy, he joined General Atomics (GA) Electromagnetic Systems where he was responsible for building the test site for the prototype Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS), the new aircraft launcher for the Navy'?s Ford-class aircraft carriers. He was then appointed EMALS Program Manager and led the program through initial test, down select, and into the follow-on development contract. Following this, Tony was named Chief of Staff for the organization, supporting the Vice President with daily operations as well as leading the effort to obtain ISO certification for the organization. Concurrently, he was GA'?s Program Manager for the Navy'?s DDG51 Hybrid Electric Drive preliminary design contract. For the past 3 years, he served as Director of Operations, coordinating the company'?s San Diego and Tupelo, MS manufacturing and test facilities for all government and commercial products. Among his colleagues, Tony was known as someone who genuinely loved interacting with people. He was respected for his years of Navy leadership experience and ability to communicate, especially with the written word. He will be remembered for his abundant sea stories, sense of humor, and kind and caring nature.He is survived by a brother, Joseph C. Kopacz, Louisville, KY; a sister, Mary Kopacz Stave, Clarksville, TN; a son, Anthony Joseph Kopacz, Jr., Cranston, RI and wife, Ann Kopacz, San Diego, CA.The memorial service for Tony Kopacz was held 7 February 2013 at 1430 (2.30 pm)at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to your favorite charity.