Obituaries

-- Matt Schudel

Burton L. FalkofskeEngineer

Burton L. Falkofske, 78, an electrical engineer who worked on satellite communications projects, died Aug. 16 at Reston Hospital Center of complications from a fall suffered last year. He lived in Springfield.

Mr. Falkofske began his career with Western Electric Co. in Colorado and moved to Maine in 1962 to work on the Earth station in Andover, Maine, an important early satellite transmission facility in the global communications network.

He stayed in Maine as assistant manager of the Earth station when Communications Satellite Corp. (Comsat) took over the project in 1965. He transferred to the company's Washington headquarters in 1968 and helped plan new equipment for Comsat's six Earth stations.

After retiring in 1988, Mr. Falkofske worked for a short time in the records department of the Fairfax County public schools.

Mr. Falkofske was born in Ellsworth, Wis. He graduated from San Jose State University in California.

He held many volunteer positions with the Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Webelos, an intermediary group between the two. He edited a district Scouting newsletter for 11 years and received many awards for his volunteer work, including Wood Badge leadership beads and the Silver Beaver award.

He was a member of the West Springfield Civic Association and Messiah United Methodist Church in Springfield.

Mr. Falkofske was a student of genealogy and enjoyed dogs.

Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Carla Falkofske of Springfield; three sons, Randall Falkofske of Springfield, Dwight Falkofske of Centreville and Jonathan Falkofske of Burke; five brothers; a sister; and two grandsons.