Benjamin R. Schlapak

HONOLULU - Benjamin R. Schlapak, 71, of 1545 Molina St., Honolulu, HI, died at home on Sunday, September 6, 2009. He was born in Winsted, Connecticut on November 14, 1937, the son of the late Rudolph and the late May (Bradford) Schlapak. Mr. Schlapak grew up in Riverton, Connecticut and later moved to Baldwinville, Massachusetts. He graduated from Templeton High School with the class of 1955. He attended college in Norwich, Vermont, receiving his degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1959. Upon his graduation he was commissioned in the United States Army. He later received his Master's Degree in Civil Engineering from the Texas A & M College of Engineering. Mr. Schlapak was a retired Army veteran, serving from 1959 to 1989 as a Combat Engineer, Staff Engineer and Facilities Maintenance Director. Mr. Schlapak served in Germany, Japan, and Panama, and participated in three Combat tours in Vietnam. After his retirement, Mr. Schlapak was employed by the Hawaii Department of Transportation, in various capacities, culminating with the position of Oahu District Airports Manager, overseeing local management of airports across the island. He was a proud member of the Hawaiian Railway Society, American Society of Civil Engineers, Norwich Alumni Association and the Special Forces Retirees Association. Mr. Schlapak had a great appreciation for and interest in aviation history, American history and literature. He leaves three sons, Nicholas Schlapak of Honolulu, HI, Eric Schlapak of FL, Tony Schlapak of NC; two daughters, Sarah Chadason of VA, Lygia Brice of KS; one brother, Eric Schlapak and his wife Janice of York Beach, ME; five grandchildren, Amanda Chadason of VA, Kathryn Chadason of VA, Courtney Beasley of KS, Melissa Hannah of KS, Tony Schlapak Jr. of NC; two aunts, Norma Bradford of Old Saybrook, CT, and Patricia Tarrio of Old Saybrook, CT. A memorial service will be held Saturday, October 3, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. in the Memorial Congregational Church, 16 Elm St., Baldwinville. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery, Templeton. A calling hour will be held Saturday from 9 to10 a.m. in the Mack Funeral Home, 91 Vernon St., Gardner. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions be made in his memory to the Hawaiian Railway Society, PO Box 60369 - Ewa Station, Ewa Beach, HI 96706. For more information or to sign our online guest book please visit www.mackfuneralhome.com. Mack Funeral Home, 91 Vernon St., Gardner is directing arrangements. $(document).ready(function(){ });