Lt. Col. John P Kirchner

Lt. Col. John P. Kirchner, 78

Brunswick - Lt. Col. John P. Kirchner, 78, US Air Force retired, of North Langmore Lane died Monday, August 10, 2009, at Eddy Memorial Center Troy after a brief illness.

Born in Pittsfield, MA, he was son of the late Lawrence H. Kirchner Sr. and Yvonne Royal Kirchner and loving husband of the late Joan Osterhout Kirchner. He was raised in Pittsfield and was a graduate of St. Joseph's High School. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from University of Massachusetts at Amherst in Chemistry in 1954.

After graduating from the University of Massachusetts, Lt. Col. Kirchner worked as a research chemist for Electric Boat in Groton, CT on the first nuclear-powered submarine. He was called to active duty in March 1955 and served a distinguished 20 year career in the US Air Force. During his service time, Lt. Col. Kirchner served as training, supply and work load officer in the US and England. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering in 1964 from Arizona State University. He served as an electrical engineer in the European Electronic Intelligence Center in Wiesbaden, Germany, from 1967 to 1971, and was responsible for monitoring the development of foreign manufactured radar equipment. During his tour in Germany, he also earned a Master's in Education from the University of California (Overseas Campus) in 1969.

He later served as an Associate Professor of Aerospace at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for Air Force ROTC until his retirement from the Air Force. He then worked as the Manager of Safety at RPI for 17 years, retiring in 1993.

Lt. Col. Kirchner was instrumental in the development of teacher training programs and curriculum for religious education for Grades K-8 while serving as director of the Elementary School of Religion in Wiesbaden, Germany. He was a long time communicant of St. Francis de Sales Church in Troy where he taught CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine). In his leisure time, he enjoyed crossword puzzles, bowling and was a fan of the Boston Red Sox.

Survivors include his children, John P. (Phyllis) Kirchner, Jr. of Malta, Mary E. (John) Kolb of East Greenbush, Teresa A. Kirchner of Poestenkill and Matthew D. (Allison) Kirchner of Grafton; a brother, Lawrence 'Sonny' Kirchner of Pittsfield; his grandchildren, John P. III, Joseph P. (Abby), and Jennifer P. Kirchner, Katherine E., Kristine M. and James A. Kolb and Scott L. Hallenbeck; two great grandchildren, Kendra J. and Corinne E. Kirchner and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a sister, Marcia Kirchner.

Funeral service will be held Saturday at 10AM at the Bryce Funeral Home, Inc. 276 Pawling Avenue Troy with Rev. Donald Ophals, officiating.

Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home on Friday from 5-8 PM.

Entombment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery Mausoleum Troy.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in memory of John P. Kirchner to the Alzheimer's Association Capital District Chapter 85 Watervliet Avenue Albany, NY 12206.

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