T.J. Lewandowski

Retired electrical engineer worked on air defense systems around the world, coached children’s sports programs

Theodore J. “Ted” Lewandowski, a retired electrical engineer who traveled around the globe working on air defense systems, died of heart disease complications July 15 at Anne Arundel Medical Center.

A resident of Sherwood Forest, he was 80.

Born at his family’s home on Orchard Avenue in Brooklyn Park, he was the son of Anthony Lewandowski, a Baltimore police sergeant, and his wife, Anna Wachowiak.

He was a 1955 graduate of Mount Saint Joseph High School, where he played baseball.

He obtained a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in electrical engineering at the Johns Hopkins University. While in college, he was catcher on the Blue Jays baseball team.

He became a systems engineer in military electronics at the Bendix Corp. on East Joppa Road. Family members said he joined the Navy and attended basic training, but because of his work in a specialized field he was discharged and rejoined Bendix Corp., becoming a Naval Reservist.

He met his future wife, Libby Silcott, at the Owl Bar at the Hotel Belvedere in Baltimore. They married in 1964.

Mr. Lewandowski was assigned to work on a phased array aerospace radar installation at Eglin Air Force Base in Okaloosa County, Fla. He and his wife lived at nearby Fort Walton Beach while he was a part of the engineering team on the Cold War project, which designed radar to detect a nuclear attack on the U.S.

Upon their return to Maryland, they settled in Lutherville, on Dublin Drive, and maintained a summer cottage in Sherwood Forest in Anne Arundel County.

He later joined Technology Services Corp., Westinghouse Corp., and Northrop Grumman, where he retired in 2014.

During his career he had worked on assignments in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Dubai, Morocco and throughout Europe.

“The projects had mysterious names to us, his family, with names like TAFLIR, TPS-70 and AWACS,” said his daughter, Mary Beth Elliott of Washington. “He had letters of commendation about his contributions to the success of National Missile Defense and NATO Theatre Mis- sile Defense efforts.”

He was named a Northrop Grumman Fellow Engineer, and in letters was praised for “strong work ... exceptional attitude” and “leadership, interpersonal and communication skills.”

Mr. Lewandowski was a high school basketball referee, and was also a coach for his children’s softball and basketball programs. He was a volunteer at the Lutherville-Timonium Recreation Council. In later years, he stood on the sidelines when his grandchildren played lacrosse.

He boated on the Severn River and played tennis at Sherwood Forest. He belonged to the Johns Hopkins Club, the Sherwood Forest Club and the Fleet Reserve.

A Democrat, he had served as an elections judge in Baltimore County.

“He enjoyed a good conversation and healthy political debate on warm summer nights. He loved to discuss politics in a gentlemanly way,” said his wife, a retired manager of a state wellness program. “He was a happy man — he had a positive outlook on the world.”

He was active as a Johns Hopkins alumnus. He was a member of the Whiting School’s Society of Engineering Alumni and helped create its career development program. He also supported the Mount Saint Joseph Alumni and visited with his high school classmates.

He had been appointed to the Maryland Gun Commission by then- Gov. Parris N. Glendening, and helped determine firearm safety guidelines.

After living in Lutherville for nearly 50 years, Mr. Lewandowski fulfilled a dream by building a year-round home in Sherwood Forest in 2015. He worked with an architect and builder to complete the residence in the Robin Hood Hill section of the neighborhood.

A funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. today at St. Mary Roman Catholic Church, Duke of Gloucester Street. He had also been a member of the Church of the Nativity in Timonium.

In addition to his wife of 54 years and his daughter, survivors include a son, Matthew Lewandowski of Towson; another daughter, Laura Lewandowski of New York City; a brother, Richard Lewandowski of Severna Park; and seven grandchildren. Mr. Lewandowski was active as a Johns Hopkins and Mount Saint Joseph graduate.