ROCKPORT — Gregory Stephan Kuzma passed away on January 6, 2018 at the age of 94 years. Gregory was born in the small city of Zolochiv, Ukraine, July 2, 1923. He completed his university studies at the Lviv Polytechnic University and his postgraduate studies in mechanical engineering at Karlsruhe University in Germany. He emigrated to the United States in 1950 where he met his wife, Irene, at the Ukrainian Engineers Ball in Philadelphia. They married shortly thereafter and lived happily together for 60 years until the unfortunate death of Irene in 2010. 

Gregory contributed in significant ways to the field of aeronautical engineering having designed the afterburners for the SR-71 “Blackbird,” the Apollo lunar landing maneuvering motors, and the reaction controls for the hypersonic aircraft X-15.  He was politically active with the Soviet dissident community and President of the Ukrainian Engineers Society of America throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Most importantly, Gregory was a revered father who fostered and supported the creative and intellectual endeavors of his children. 

Gregory was a resident of Portland and Rockport, Maine. He is survived by his daughter, Marika Kuzma Green, daughter Zenia Tkacz with husband, Boris, daughter Marta Kuzma with husband, Linus, and son Gregory George Kuzma; his brother, Michael Kuzma; and grandchildren Alexander Tkacz, Edith Kuzma, Irene Kuzma, Rebecca Kuzma, and Abby Kuzma. 

A service will be announced in the spring. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.longfuneralhomecamden.com.