Colonel Michael James Nowak, USAF (Retired), passed away peacefully on June 6, 2026, after a courageous battle against cancer. A proud service member of the United States Air Force, he dedicated his career to serving his country and community.
Born on August 2, 1957, at Langley Air Force Base in Hampton, VA, to Donald and Mary Nowak, Michael was the first of eight children. He graduated from Rome Catholic High School in 1975 and the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1979 with a B.S. in Astronautical Engineering. Michael was united in Holy Matrimony to Charlotte Rondeau on August 2, 1986.
Michael amassed over 2,600 military flight hours as a T-37 and T-38 instructor pilot in Air Training Command and a RF-4C pilot/instructor pilot in Tactical Air Command (TAC) and Pacific Air Forces (PACAF). His military contributions included strategic planning for expeditionary airpower concepts during a pivotal period for the Air Force. His distinguished assignments included two command tours at Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia serving as Commander, 4404th Operations Support Squadron and Commander, 363rd Expeditionary Support Group; Deputy Chief of Staff, Plans and Operations, 5th Allied Tactical Air Force, Vicenza, Italy; Vice Commander, 96th Air Base Wing, Eglin Air Force Base, FL; Commander, 407th Air Expeditionary Group, Ali Base, Iraq; Sector Chief, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH.
Michael’s career reflected a rare combination of elite military achievement, advanced technical expertise, and lifelong academic pursuit. Michael was awarded the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal 1 Oak Leaf Cluster (OLC), Defense Meritorious Service Medal (3 OLC), Air Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal (1 OLC), and Joint Service Achievement Medal (1 OLC). He graduated from the USAF Fighter Weapons School, Nellis Air Force Base, NV, earning the coveted Red Patch, a distinction reserved for the Air Force’s most exceptional aviators. Additionally, Michael was awarded the Air War College prestigious Douhet-Mitchell International Airpower Trophy.
Michael received the renowned Daedalian Fellowship, through which he earned an M.S. in Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. He went on to earn an M.S. in Business Administration from St. Edward’s University, an M.A. in Strategic Studies from the Air War College, and ultimately a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Wright State University.
Upon retiring from the Air Force in 2007, Michael and Charlotte made their home in Bellbrook, OH. For the next 15 years, Michael continued his post-retirement career at the Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, where he served in multiple leadership roles including Chief Scientist covering strategic planning, spectrum warfare, and aerospace engineering. Michael’s love of aviation continued at MacAir Aviation, where he served as an instructor pilot and later as chief instructor for both the MacAir Aero Club and Sinclair College’s Professional Pilot Training Program. A devoted member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Michael served as a Eucharistic Minister and Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus, actively participating in charitable activities and supporting local veterans.
Michael is survived by his loving wife of 39 years, Charlotte; his caring son Jacques and daughter-in-law Indira Rondeau of Waxahachie, TX; three beautiful grandchildren Emilie, Sophie and Jean-Luc; a sister Kathleen O’Connor (Stephen) of Dataw Island, SC; five brothers, Mark Nowak, DVM of Malta, NY; Paul Nowak (Margaret) of Hillsborough, NJ; Christopher Nowak, Esq. (Maureen) of Chester, NJ; John Nowak (Tara) of Canastota, NY; Sean Nowak (Susan) of Charlotte, NC; nephew and godson Michael Nowak; nieces and nephews Elizabeth, Nathan, Joshua, Aidan (Jordynn), Declan (Ashley), Maeve (Dan Bioigi), Cian, Eilís, Tiarnan, McKenzie (Jake McCall), Trisdan, and Jaydn Nowak; great nieces and nephew Katherine and Emery McCall and Branson Nowak.
In addition to his parents, Michael was preceded in death by his brother, David Nowak, and his wife’s parents, R.T. and Peggy-Jo Stratton.
Michael’s life was marked by faith, service, scholarship, leadership, and unwavering devotion to family. His legacy will endure through the many lives he touched as an Air Force officer, educator, mentor, husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, June 16 at 10:00 AM at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Waxahachie, TX. Interment at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO will be held at Friday, August 28 at 10:00 AM (Mountain Time).
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the USAF Academy Foundation.