Henry Svehlak's Obituary
Henry (Hank) Svehlak passed away 17 August 2022 in his home with his wife and two sons making him comfortable as he fought a battle with cancer. He was born 10 October 1940 in Derby, Connecticut, and graduated from the University of Connecticut (UCONN) with a degree in Geology and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Air Force via ROTC. After training as a topographic engineering officer, he was stationed at Westover AFB, Massachusetts. There he met his future wife Suzie on a blind date. They were married just shy of 58 years. After discharge from the Air Force, he was hired with Autometric Raytheon and moved to Fairfax VA, where his first son Chris was born. The family then moved to Clear Lake City TX where his second son Andrew was born. Then the family relocated to Carriere MS where he worked a long career heading up the U.S. Geological Survey office on the Stennis Space Center in Bay St. Louis, interpreting maps and satellite images from all over the world.
After retiring from civil service, he relocated to Suzie’s family spread (known as the Big Czech’s Ranch) in Henderson TX. There he began an very relaxed and enjoyable retired life: running his tractors and bush-hogs, creating amazing cedar woodwork projects and fixing anything and everything for all members of the community (he was the Original Fix ‘Em Dude to his family), for there was hardly a machine, appliance or tool he couldn’t get running and working again. He was a charter member of the Pine Hill/Chapman Coffee Club, and enjoyed those morning visitations on the Ranch porch immensely where the group always laughed heartily, debating and solving the issues of the day.
Survivors are his wife of almost 58 years Suzie Wall Svehlak, his son Christoper (spouse Jackie, granddaughter Sydney Skye) of Huntsville AL, his son Andrew (spouse Steffany, grandson Stone and spouse Bri) of Covington LA, and his “pooper,” a Chihuahua named Precious. Those who knew him were touched immensely. His family will greatly miss him and forever fondly remember him. The family will have a private burial ceremony.
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