Arthur Schwaniger Jr

Schwaniger, Arthur John "Art", "A.J." Jr., 77 died on Saturday, August 27, 2011. Born on October 10, 1933, in Louisville, A.J. attended Ahrens Trade High School and graduated from the University of Louisville with a degree in physics. While serving in the United States Army, A.J. worked for the Army Ballistic Missile Agency (ABMA). He continued to work for the ABMA as a civilian and transferred to NASA when it was formed in 1960. He worked for NASA at the Marshall Space Flight Center, in Huntsville, Alabama. A.J. was involved in the project to send people to the moon and the space shuttle program. He retired as an aerospace engineer after 33 years.

After his retirement, A.J. returned to Louisville where he served as a volunteer at the Louisville Science Center, and St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen. He was an honorary Kentucky Colonel, a long time sponsor of Pearl S. Buck International and Covenant House, and a member of St. Martin of Tours Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration.

A.J. was a generous person who opened his home in Huntsville and later, his home in Louisville to university students. He was supportive of and much beloved by his numerous nieces and nephews. His niece, Dee Carpenter, was his caretaker for the last six years of his life. His nephew, Donald Schwaniger Sr, assisted Dee in his care as well.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur John, Sr., and Catherine Bernadine Frank Schwaniger, and his brothers, John Marvin Sr., and Charles.

A.J. is survived by his niece, goddaughter, and caretaker, Dee Carpenter (Rick Yount); sister, Dolores Ann Flood; brother, Frank A. Schwaniger (Elaine); four generations of nieces and nephews; and numerous extended family members and friends.

His Funeral Mass of Celebration will be held at noon on September 03, 2011, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 1960 Bardstown Rd., with burial to follow in St. Michael Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1:00-7:00 pm on Friday, at Newcomer Funeral Home, 235 Juneau Dr, in Middletown.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, or Pearl S. Buck International, 520 Dublin Rd., Perkasie, PA 18944,.