Obituary of Leonard Walter Penkoski

Was born n Montclair Community Hospital, Montclair, New Jersey to Leonard and Marie Penkoski on February 5, 1952. He was raised in Caldwell, New Jersey. He entered into the United States Air Force and was trained as a Medic and Psychiatric Tech. Upon separation from the United States Air Force he attended Our Lady of The Lake University in San Antonio, Texas earning bachelor's degrees in Social Work, Psychology and a Master's Degree in Social Work. While in college he received Who's Who In American Universities and Outstanding Young of America recognition. He entered into the Air Force commissioned as an officer. Throughout his Air Force career he was stationed in California, Texas, Ohio, Florida, Germany, Korea, and Nebraska. While stationed at Beale AFB, CA, he won Company Officer of the Quarter twice for the 814th Strategic Hospital, 9th Wing officer of the quarter. This led to his selection as Company Grade Officer of the year for the 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing officer of the year and the 814th Strategic Hospital Officer of the year. He was a finalist for 15th Air Force officer of the year. Len was classified as an expert witness in domestic violence by 4 states and the federal government. He served as a regional consultant on two occasions to the Air Force Surgeon General for domestic violence, attended Air Force Dynamic of International terrorism and Psychological Operations. He was a trained hostage negotiator. He developed the Air Force Operational plan for the management of Psychological casualties. He was on a team that treated casualties from the Kobar Tower bombing using Critical Incident Stress Debriefing techniques. Upon retiring from the Air Force he was the Head of the social work department at Cass County Memorial Hospital. He then managed three out patient mental health centers for Alegent Health. He began the second best job in his career working with the liver/small bowel transplant team at Nebraska Medicine. He always saw this as one of the greatest opportunities to work with some of the best physicians and nurses in the world. He was preceded in death by his parents and his second wife Christy Jo Penkoski. He is survived by his daughter Melissa Ann Patterson, brother Richard (Michelle) Penkoski, sister Christ (Robert) Budrick, Ruth (Ed) Dawson all of Spring Hill, Florida. A graveside service at Florida National Cemetery is being planned for a later date. In lieu of flowers Len requests donations to the liver transplant fund or a charity of your choosing.