A TELEVISION PIONEER passes away...

My Grandfather, Chester Sawicki, was a pioneer of early American television and was internationally known as a legend in his time. He had a brilliant mind for solving problems and figuring out how to get things to work. He taught me so much and gave me my love for all things mechanical and for well made machines. He taught me how to fix things and to not be afraid to take something apart to figure out how it works. I wouldn't have ever tried to get involved with vintage appliances if it wasn't for the things he taught me since I was a little boy.

Here is the obituary I wrote for him that was printed in several local papers.

CHESTER F. SAWICKI

Chester �Chet� Sawicki, 86, of Mountain Top, passed away on Sunday, January 27, 2013 in Smith Healthcare, surrounded by his loving family. Chester was born on May 16th, 1926 to Agnes and Stanislaw Sawicki of Miners Mills, Wilkes-Barre. He was the youngest of eight brothers and a sister. Chester graduated from Coughlin High School in 1944 after which he enlisted in the Air Force. He attended several radio schools while in service, operating a radio on cargo planes making trips to Panama. After being discharged in 1946, he attended the Central Radio and Television School in Missouri, where he continued his studies in radio and television, until receiving his FCC license in 1947. He returned home to Wilkes-Barre and took a job at WYZZ-FM radio.
In June of 1949, he married Dorothy Kaporch, also of Miners Mills, and they enjoyed over 63 happy years together, moving to Mountain Top in 1957.
In February of 1950, WYZZ-FM folded and Chester was soon hired by WILK AM, which later became, with his help, WILK-TV. In 1956, WILK-TV merged with WARM Radio when purchased by the Trans-Continental Company and took the new call letters WNEP-TV, where Chester eventually worked his way to Chief Engineer. A position he would enjoy as a rewarding career in the forefront of the latest and some of the most exciting advancements in the history of American television.
Shortly after being named Chief Engineer at WNEP, TAFT Broadcasting would purchase the station and make many new improvements with Chester�s oversight. He designed and built the first live satellite news truck in the country. He implemented the first remote-control transmitter in the area, bought film projectors for the news studios, and installed the first video-tape recorders. Next, the station purchased their first color cameras. The station was remodeled to incorporate the new equipment, with a master control, video-tape room and a projection area, all under Chester�s direction and design.
In 1972, Chester designed the first computer-operated television station in the United States. The design was built for the station by the General Electric Company under Chester�s supervision with engineers from TAFT. To improve the signal strength from the new equipment, Chester also oversaw the installation of a new 800-foot tower at their transmitter at Penobscot Mountain, helping to make WNEP-TV the #1 station in the area, a position it still holds to this day.
Throughout his career, Chester had been named to several professional organizations, many of which extended him lifetime membership. Some of these included the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers. The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, The Society of Broadcast Engineers, as well as being listed in �Who�s Who in Technology Today�, which describes itself as �a national directory of leading professionals who�ve made significant contributions to the knowledge and advancement of science and technology�. He was recognized as an industry pioneer and a national authority on UHF television transmission. He also pioneered the installation of the first fiber-optic cables for television transmission in Northeastern, Pennsylvania. In 1986, after years of continued success under Chester�s guidance, WNEP-TV was purchased by the New York Times Company, at which point Chester, as Vice-President of Engineering and part owner of the television station, took his retirement.
Chester was also an active member and Past President in the Mountain Top Area Lions Club and the Knights of Columbus, and was a member of St. Jude�s Church in Mountain Top for 56 years. His family was very important to him. He enjoyed family vacations to Wildwood, NJ, and holidays together. In his retirement, he and his wife enjoyed the winter months in Bonita Beach, Florida and treating his grandchildren to trips to Disneyworld. Chester played golf and loved to continue his passion for technology with time spent on his computer, as well as helping friends and family determine the best new television to buy, or installing their computer systems for them. He always told his grandchildren that one day televisions would hang on the wall like a picture frame and that he would live to see it.
Chester was preceded in death by his parents as well brothers, Stephen, Stanley, Joseph, Zigmund, Harry, Edmund, Frank, Adam and sister, Anne Joyce.
Chester is survived by his loving wife Dorothy, his son David and wife, Carolyn of Mountain Top, son Gerard of Hamlin, and daughter Martina and husband Dr. Louis Mastrini of Hanover Township, his five grandchildren, Matthew, Kristy, Jennifer, Justin and Michael, and four great-grandchildren, Ava, Colby, Mason and Logan.
A viewing will be held at Desiderio�s Funeral Home in Mountain Top on Tuesday, January 29th from 5 to 8 PM, and a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Jude�s Church on Wednesday at 9:30 AM. In lieu of flowers, Chester would prefer donations be made in his name to St. Jude�s Church Building Fund.


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Post# 658896 2/8/2013 at 08:36 (4,103 days old) by geextrarinse (Hudson Valley, New York )
Checkrate/Likes My Grandfather, Chester Sawicki, was a pioneer of early American television and was internationally known as a legend in his time. He had a brilliant mind for solving problems and figuring out how to get things to work. He taught me so much and gave me my love for all things mechanical and for well made machines. He taught me how to fix things and to not be afraid to take something apart to figure out how it works. I wouldn't have ever tried to get involved with vintage appliances if it wasn't for the things he taught me since I was a little boy. Here is the obituary I wrote for him that was printed in several local papers. CHESTER F. SAWICKI Chester �Chet� Sawicki, 86, of Mountain Top, passed away on Sunday, January 27, 2013 in Smith Healthcare, surrounded by his loving family. Chester was born on May 16th, 1926 to Agnes and Stanislaw Sawicki of Miners Mills, Wilkes-Barre. He was the youngest of eight brothers and a sister. Chester graduated from Coughlin High School in 1944 after which he enlisted in the Air Force. He attended several radio schools while in service, operating a radio on cargo planes making trips to Panama. After being discharged in 1946, he attended the Central Radio and Television School in Missouri, where he continued his studies in radio and television, until receiving his FCC license in 1947. He returned home to Wilkes-Barre and took a job at WYZZ-FM radio. In June of 1949, he married Dorothy Kaporch, also of Miners Mills, and they enjoyed over 63 happy years together, moving to Mountain Top in 1957. In February of 1950, WYZZ-FM folded and Chester was soon hired by WILK AM, which later became, with his help, WILK-TV. In 1956, WILK-TV merged with WARM Radio when purchased by the Trans-Continental Company and took the new call letters WNEP-TV, where Chester eventually worked his way to Chief Engineer. A position he would enjoy as a rewarding career in the forefront of the latest and some of the most exciting advancements in the history of American television. Shortly after being named Chief Engineer at WNEP, TAFT Broadcasting would purchase the station and make many new improvements with Chester�s oversight. He designed and built the first live satellite news truck in the country. He implemented the first remote-control transmitter in the area, bought film projectors for the news studios, and installed the first video-tape recorders. Next, the station purchased their first color cameras. The station was remodeled to incorporate the new equipment, with a master control, video-tape room and a projection area, all under Chester�s direction and design. In 1972, Chester designed the first computer-operated television station in the United States. The design was built for the station by the General Electric Company under Chester�s supervision with engineers from TAFT. To improve the signal strength from the new equipment, Chester also oversaw the installation of a new 800-foot tower at their transmitter at Penobscot Mountain, helping to make WNEP-TV the #1 station in the area, a position it still holds to this day. Throughout his career, Chester had been named to several professional organizations, many of which extended him lifetime membership. Some of these included the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers. The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, The Society of Broadcast Engineers, as well as being listed in �Who�s Who in Technology Today�, which describes itself as �a national directory of leading professionals who�ve made significant contributions to the knowledge and advancement of science and technology�. He was recognized as an industry pioneer and a national authority on UHF television transmission. He also pioneered the installation of the first fiber-optic cables for television transmission in Northeastern, Pennsylvania. In 1986, after years of continued success under Chester�s guidance, WNEP-TV was purchased by the New York Times Company, at which point Chester, as Vice-President of Engineering and part owner of the television station, took his retirement. Chester was also an active member and Past President in the Mountain Top Area Lions Club and the Knights of Columbus, and was a member of St. Jude�s Church in Mountain Top for 56 years. His family was very important to him. He enjoyed family vacations to Wildwood, NJ, and holidays together. In his retirement, he and his wife enjoyed the winter months in Bonita Beach, Florida and treating his grandchildren to trips to Disneyworld. Chester played golf and loved to continue his passion for technology with time spent on his computer, as well as helping friends and family determine the best new television to buy, or installing their computer systems for them. He always told his grandchildren that one day televisions would hang on the wall like a picture frame and that he would live to see it. Chester was preceded in death by his parents as well brothers, Stephen, Stanley, Joseph, Zigmund, Harry, Edmund, Frank, Adam and sister, Anne Joyce. Chester is survived by his loving wife Dorothy, his son David and wife, Carolyn of Mountain Top, son Gerard of Hamlin, and daughter Martina and husband Dr. Louis Mastrini of Hanover Township, his five grandchildren, Matthew, Kristy, Jennifer, Justin and Michael, and four great-grandchildren, Ava, Colby, Mason and Logan. A viewing will be held at Desiderio�s Funeral Home in Mountain Top on Tuesday, January 29th from 5 to 8 PM, and a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Jude�s Church on Wednesday at 9:30 AM. In lieu of flowers, Chester would prefer donations be made in his name to St. Jude�s Church Building Fund.

Post# 658897 , Reply# 1 2/8/2013 at 08:39 (4,103 days old) by geextrarinse (Hudson Valley, New York )
Checkrate/Likes *The local TV station that he started pays tribute:* Here is the tribute that the station he used to work at put together and aired at the end of the 6 o'clock news the night of his funeral. I am the little boy in the second grandchild pic. CLICK HERE TO GO TO geextrarinse's LINK

Post# 658899 , Reply# 2 2/8/2013 at 08:46 (4,103 days old) by Tomturbomatic (Beltsville, MD)
Checkrate/Likes I am sorry for your great loss. Grandparents, aunts & uncles can be great sources of learning and joy in our lives. I am glad you have the happy memories to carry in your heart.

Post# 658943 , Reply# 3 2/8/2013 at 12:36 (4,103 days old) by whirlpolf ()
Checkrate/Likes *you are blessed* Even though this is a big loss (and my deepest condolences to you), but you are blessed: quote: "...He taught me how to fix things and to not be afraid to take something apart to figure out how it works. " My guess would be that not even a third of all people here are that lucky. While some might have gotten just an indifferent shrug-off, some of us certainly have felt like having raised hell itself when it had become "official" that it was them who have taken apart this or that to find out about its inner workings. Just bear in mind that this way, you bear a priceless gift within yourself that nobody ever can take away. My blessings to you and your grandfather (who must have been a GRAND soul of a teacher). "Ein guter Lehrer ist nicht der mit viel Wissen. Ein guter Lehrer ist nur der, der ein Feuer entfachen kann und die Angst davor nimmt" Translation: A lot of knowledge will not make a good teacher. Only those who understand to kindle a fire while at the same time taking away the fear of it: Those are good teachers" (I cannot remember the author, but it is SO true). Rest assured: You are blessed. Your grandfather will get his reward, I am positive.

Post# 658945 , Reply# 4 2/8/2013 at 12:42 (4,103 days old) by rickr (.)
Checkrate/Likes What an interesting man your grandfather was. So sorry for your loss Matthew.

Post# 658985 , Reply# 5 2/8/2013 at 15:09 (4,103 days old) by pulltostart (Mobile, AL)
Checkrate/Likes Matthew, What a beautiful tribute to your grandfather! The two things that stand out to me are first, he was the last child to be born and he was the last to die, so he saw 8 of his brothers and his only sister pass away before him. And second, out of all of the family members it was you who penned his obituary, which speaks volumes to me about the relationship you and he shared. I am sorry for you loss. And I am humbled by your grandfather's story, his accomplishments, and the legacy he left in your care. lawrence

Post# 659051 , Reply# 6 2/8/2013 at 19:51 (4,102 days old) by geextrarinse (Hudson Valley, New York )
Checkrate/Likes *Thank You guys!* I was very moved by your responses. I'm still taking it all in.

Post# 659057 , Reply# 7 2/8/2013 at 20:36 (4,102 days old) by lotsosudz (Sacramento, CA)
Checkrate/Likes *Matthew,* I am deeply sorry for your loss! My father was born the same year as your grandfather. I lost my Dad in 2010. Although he did not attract the same notoriety as your grandfather, was also a very patient teacher, who always explained the why's and how's of fixing things. I am trying to extend that legacy to our eleven year old son. I applaud you for writing such a great obiit., and know that he doe's know what you have done, and what he has taught you, and smiles down on you, from up above! Hugs, David

Post# 659073 , Reply# 8 2/8/2013 at 23:30 (4,102 days old) by Maytagbear (N.E. Ohio)
Checkrate/Likes *I am very sorry.* Your Grandfather was clearly an interesting and accomplished man. Lawrence/Maytagbear

Post# 659082 , Reply# 10 2/9/2013 at 00:19 (4,102 days old) by arbilab (Ft Worth TX (Ridglea))
Checkrate/Likes Sorry about the event Matthew, but the life was so much more. Might help to focus upon that. I recently lost my chief from NBC-OKC. In ways, as much a father to me as my biological one. I did some 'neat stuff' in TV though nothing monumental, slightly redesigning Ampex ACR-25 and getting published. All by the grace and support of my chief. Lemme tellya something. They're not ALL that good. Ours were.

Post# 659077 , Reply# 9 2/8/2013 at 23:41 (4,102 days old) by spiralator60 (Los Angeles)
Checkrate/Likes Matthew, I'm sorry to learn of the loss of your grandfather. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Post# 659197 , Reply# 11 2/9/2013 at 13:57 (4,102 days old) by golittlesport (California)
Checkrate/Likes My condolences to you and your family, Matthew. I know you have many wonderful memories to keep your grandfather alive in your heart.

Post# 659979 , Reply# 12 2/12/2013 at 19:34 (4,099 days old) by CircleW (NE Cincinnati OH area)
Checkrate/Likes So very sorry for your loss. It sounds like he had an interesting and fulfilling life.

Post# 660069 , Reply# 13 2/13/2013 at 07:56 (4,098 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)
Checkrate/Likes So sorry for the loss of such a great man, you were very lucky to be able to be there for him at the end of his life! As I said before, you will never regret the move back home and the additional time you had with him. What you learned from his life will stay with you all of yours.