George Prochaska

Captain George E. Prochaska, 90, of Topeka, passed away on October 20, 2020 at Plaza West Health Care Center.

He was born on September 19, 1930 in Ellsworth, KS the son of Emil George and Mona (Silver) Prochaska.

Captain George was a 1948 graduate of Ellsworth High School.  George would serve his country with pride and have an extensive military career.  His career began in 1948 as an Army ROTC Cadet at Kansas University.  This was followed by a year in the Air Force ROTC Program and then he entered the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, graduating in 1954.  His naval duties include service on the Destroyer USS Strong (DD-758) for two years followed by Submarine School at New London, Connecticut.  He then served on the Submarine USS Carp (SS-338) stationed at Pearl Harbor.  

Captain Prochaska resigned from active duty in 1960 joining the Naval Reserve where he served in many positions of responsibilities for twenty years, retiring in 1980.  Upon leaving active duty, he worked for Sperry Rand with Submarine Polaris Navigation Systems and then Grumman Aerospace with duties related to F-14 aircraft.  In 1970, he joined New York Telephone and returned to Kansas in 1977 transferring to Southwestern Bell from which he retired in 1991.

Captain Prochaska holds a BS Degree in Engineering and an MBA Degree from Hofstra University.  He was a proud Eagle Scout and a member of the KU Phi Beta Kappa Fraternity.

Captain George was a member of Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Topeka and KC Ski Clubs, Military Officers Association of America, Kaw Valley Chapter and Topeka Retired Officers Association.  He enjoyed skiing, aerobics, tennis, reading, and along with his wife Kathleen they traveled throughout the United States and abroad.

Survivors include his beloved wife of the home, Kathleen; son, Mark L. Prochaska and his wife Janet of Overland Park, KS, three daughters, Anne Landgraf and her husband Kendal of Garden City, KS, Mona Packer and her husband Ron of Kansas City, MO, Jean DeLay of Topeka, KS; four grandchildren, Krystina Ehrlich and her husband Josh of St. Louis MO, Keldon Landgraf of Manhattan, KS, Emily Packer and Holly Packer both of Kansas City, MO; one great-grandchild Hazel Ehrlich. as well as a loving extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a grandson, Paul DeLay in 2018.

He will lie in state at the Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home on Wednesday, October 28th from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church on Thursday, October 29th, at 10:00 a.m.  Burial with military honors will be held at the Ellsworth Memorial Cemetery in Ellsworth, Kansas at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church and sent in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, Kansas 66603.  Online condolences and fond memories may be left at www.brennanmathenafh.com.