Joseph Kaveckis passed away peacefully the evening of July 9th at Richland Life Care at the age of 87. Joseph will be remembered as multi-talented engineer who worked 38 years at Hanford, retiring in 1986. He had extensive expertise in electrical, chemical, and nuclear engineering. In his early work years he was responsible for the development of many nuclear reactor control systems, most notably N-Reactor. At the time, he was recognized for these contributions and was made a Fellow in the Instrument Society of America.

Joseph was born March 22nd, 1916, in West Pullman, Illinois to Joseph and Kathryn Kaveckis. He attended college at the University of Illinois where he was awarded both electrical and chemical engineering degrees. He married Dorothy M. Young in 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky. After working for American Creosote and then Reynolds Aluminum, the couple moved to Richland in 1948. They had two sons, Joseph Jr. and Stanley who spent all their growing-up years in Richland. The family spent many fun-filled days on the Columbia River and at Priest Lake, Idaho, boating and water skiing. Their married life together lasted for 36 years until Dorothy passed away in 1978.

Joseph took as his second wife Clora S. McIlroy in May of 1980 and enjoyed many happy years with his extended family that included stepsons and daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Clora went to her eternal rest in July of 2001.

Joseph is survived by two sons, Joseph E. Kaveckis, Jr. wife Marlene of Aspen CO, and Stanley Paul Kaveckis wife Suzanne of Aurora, OR. He was very proud of his two grandsons: Ryan Edward Kaveckis wife MaryAnne of Everett, WA, and Andrew Paul Kaveckis of Wilsonville, OR. This past spring, he was pleased to meet his great granddaughter, Emma Kathryn Kaveckis.

A memorial service is planned for Friday, July 11th, at 1:00 PM at Richland Lutheran Church Chapel.