Obituary of George Carl Smolenyak

George Carl Smolenyak, 84, of Great Falls, Virginia, passed peacefully in his sleep, November 14th, 2020.  In addition to his parents, George and Mary, he was preceded in death by his beloved brother, Robert.

The first in his family to receive a college degree, George graduated from Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey, in 1957. Later, he earned an MBA from George Washington University, here in DC.

After college, George was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in the United States Army, stationed at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, then Fort Riley, Kansas. By late 1959, he was in Saran, France.

There, his life was brightened by the birth of his two daughters. The youngest, born without an arm, George would move heaven and earth to provide the latest in prosthetics for. Both women would go on to become enormous successes. Although one daughter might appear at the top of Google search results, and the other lucky to appear at the bottom, the younger was no less an equal, building a family full of overachieving doctors and scholars, all without your average humans’ essential resources.

George would see the world, serving in Vietnam with the 1st Air Calvary Division “The First Team”, in 1967 and 1968. Returning again to Kansas, this time at Fort Leavenworth, George would go on to assignments in England, Frankfurt Germany, and of course, the DC metropolitan area.

England was likely his favorite assignment, however. Indeed, later in life, and on vacation there in the Fall of 2013, he would reminisce about his time attending British Staff College at Camberley, Surrey, in 1969. George became an Anglophile and ardent admirer of Winston Churchill, even gracing his eldest sons middle name with the legendary Prime Minister’s. Although “Winston” would not follow in his father’s footsteps, he excelled very similarly as an Eagle Scout, and ROTC cadet.

George retired from the Pentagon as a colonel, and spent the next decades at his Virginia home, raising his sons, dabbling in various businesses, exploring the many surrounding Civil War battlefields, amassing Roseville Pottery, and collecting antique cars. In fact, it would be his interest in antique cars that would inspire his youngest son on his career path as an “Automotive Restorer”. Again, George would move heaven and earth to give his son the necessary tools to pursue his passion.

Passion, and a tireless work ethic, punctuated George’s life. Similarly, he appreciated a strong work ethic in others, especially when executed without complaint. Most importantly however, regardless who you were, or where you came from, George judged you on your character.

“The Colonel” is survived by his wife Barbara, daughters Megan A. Smolenyak and Stacy A. Neuberger, sons Sean W. Smolenyak and George P. Smolenyak, numerous grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 AM on March 10, 2021, at Arlington National Cemetery.