Wolodymyr Werchniak
Wolodymyr (Walter) Werchniak passed away on July 21, 2021 in Dover, NH. He was born in Mezhyhiria, Ukraine (then Poland) in 1924 and grew up on a farm in that rural community, the oldest of four children. He had many fond memories of those early years: he loved to tell stories about his boyhood adventures in the countryside and farm life in general.
His life changed dramatically with the arrival of World War II. The area was initially occupied by the Soviets, who forced his family to give up their farm and submit to collectivization. When the Germans invaded and took control of the area, he was captured and sent to Germany as a forced laborer (Ostarbeiter). He was freed when the camps were liberated by the U.S. Army in 1945, and spent a month in the hospital afterwards recuperating. He lived in a displaced persons (DP) camp in Germany for the next five years, until he was offered the opportunity to emigrate to the United States.
In 1950, he arrived in New York City with one dollar and three Hershey chocolate bars to his name. He began working as a dishwasher at Schrafft’s restaurant and was active in the Ukrainian community located in the East Village in lower Manhattan. He went on to attend City College, and graduated with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering. He was hired as an engineer at the Brooklyn Naval Shipyard, and spent the next 33 years working for the Navy as a civilian scientist and engineer. While in New York City, he met and married Anna Hodowanec; they were married for 43 years, until she passed away in 2012.
In 1970 he was transferred from Brooklyn to Annapolis, MD to work at the David Taylor Naval Ship Research and Development Center where he helped design and test materials for submarine propulsion systems. He lived in Annapolis until 2017, when his health declined and he moved to New Hampshire to be closer to his son and daughter-inlaw.
Walter loved animals, warm sunshine, tennis, good food, chess, walking dogs, and telling stories. He had an intense curiosity, and was constantly learning new things about the world around him. He was an avid reader, particularly of history. He spoke Ukrainian, Russian, German, Polish, and English, and had a strong belief in education. Neighbors in Annapolis and New Hampshire will recall how he enjoyed stopping by to chat as he made his daily rounds with his dog through the neighborhood. He was known was for his determination and stubbornness, but also for his kindness and generosity. Despite facing many challenges, he was a lifelong optimist and was able to see the good in people. He was very proud of his Ukrainian heritage, but he was also a proud American and deeply appreciative of the opportunities that this country gave him.
He is survived by his son Andrew Eugene Werchniak, his daughter-in-law Tracy Crews, and his grandchildren Andrew Morris Werchniak, Alexander Werchniak, Anne Werchniak, Ethan Werchniak, Elias Werchniak, and Kiernan Werchniak, along with multiple cousins, nieces, and nephews in Ukraine.
A memorial service will be held at the John M. Taylor Funeral Home (147 Duke of Gloucester St., Annapolis) on Saturday August 21st at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Soyuzivka Ukrainian Heritage Center or the Anne Arundel County SPCA. An online guest book is available at www.johnmtaylorfuneralhome.com