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Dr. Stephen Holowenzak, beloved father of Amy Holowenzak, went to his eternal rest on Thursday, March 5, at MedStar Montgomery Medical Center in Olney, Maryland. Dr. Holowenzak was a long-time resident of Silver Spring and a faithful parishioner of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church there. He was predeceased by his sister, Phyllis Holowenzak Ference. He was 81 years old.
Dr. Holowenzak was born in Newark, New Jersey, to his parents Stephen Josheph and Helen Therese Holowenzak. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in philosophy and English from Mount St. Paul College in Wisconsin and completed his education at the Catholic University of America, where he earned a Master of Arts in counseling, guidance and personnel management, as well as a Doctor of Philosophy in educational psychology and technology, statistics and management.
For most of his career, Dr. Holowenzak was a professor teaching in degree programs offered by the University of Maryland Global Campus on military installations around the world. His teaching took him to Germany, Japan, the Middle East, and North Africa. He was particularly proud to have taught active duty members of the United States Army, Navy and Air Force stationed abroad during such major operations as Desert Storm, Desert Shield and Provide Comfort. When he retired, the university granted him professor emeritus status in recognition of his long and fruitful teaching service.
A devout Catholic, Dr. Holowenzak was a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus and a past Grand Knight, chief executive officer and Faithful Navigator of the Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree Assembly 386. Among other accolades, he has been presented with a Star Assembly Award, was named as the Sir Knight of the Year by the Archdiocese of Washington District in 2017 and was profiled in a diocesan newsletter in commemoration of a 9/11 remembrance flag project that he initiated. Dr. Holowenzak attributes his success to the quality of his Catholic and public school education, the teachers and mentors who paved the way for his growth, and to the love and support of his family.
Dr. Holowenzak’s funeral will be at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Silver Spring on March 16 at 3:00 pm. Visitation at the church will proceed the funeral from 1:00 – 3:00 pm. Memorial donations may be made to the Pillars of Strength Scholarship at the University of Maryland Global Campus for the spouses of wounded warriors or to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Condolences may be left at the Collins Funeral Home website.
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Jane McHan
It is with sadness to hear this news. When I was the Middle East director, Stephen taught at North Sinai a number of times. When I visited the base, I always heard many positive comments about Stephen's teaching and his many activities on the base. If he heard the word "volunteer", his hand would raise immediately. He was deeply appreciated for all that he did for others at the base. And...he always had a smlle on his face. Rest in peace, Stephen.
Timothy Maga
You cannot do a kindness too soon, ol' Ralph Waldo Emerson once noted, for you never know how soon it will be too late. Steve Holowenzak was a portrait of kindness; the original shirt-off-the-back friend and colleague. My fondest memories of his company involve our annual trips ("early in this century") from Yokota AB to the U.S. Embassy Compound-Tokyo. The latter's Fourth Of July celebrations were legend, and Steve seemed to know all the American and Japanese organizers involved in the event, including the then U.S. Ambassador, Tom Schieffer. (Steve had me and my fellow Asia Marylander spouse, Patsy, pose for pictures with the guy). Then, there were our conversations about things-Catholicism and Milwaukee's Marquette University. Interestingly (perhaps), I ended-up a Marquette prof. for some years and we would talk about that odd fate too. Take care, kind friend.
Tim Young
Somewhere I still have a small American flag that he gave me. I think he passed those out to anyone he could! Didn't know him super well, but seemed like a very nice guy. Sorry to hear he's gone.
Vernon Taylor
Dr. Holowenzak didn’t just teach classes around the world, he helped service members build futures wherever duty called. Thank you for the impact you had on my life, Steve. Rest in peace, Professor, colleague, and friend. Thank you for simply being you.