Theodore T. Tylaska Jr. of North Stonington Road, Mystic passed away at his home on Thursday, September 17, 2009 surrounded by his loving family. He was born on February 17, 1936 in Port Arthur, TX, son to the late Theodore T. Tylaska Sr. and Lydia (Lesikar) Tylaska. A true Texan, he was a descendant of a family that settled in Texas in 1852.
He married the former Betty Ann Smith, who survives him, on July 30, 1960. He is also survived by best friends and sons Theodore T. Tylaska III, Dr. Timothy Tylaska and his wife Laurie, and one granddaughter, Sierra. Other survivors include his brother James and his wife of Hurst, TX, two nephews and a niece.
After graduating from Lamar High School in Houston in 1954, he obtained a B.S. in mathematics from the University of Texas, an M.S. in mathematics from the University of Connecticut and a Ph.D in electrical engineering from the University of Houston in 1972.
Ted or "Mr. T" as he was known to family and friends had a never-ending interest in learning about all things technical-particularly electronics, computers, and mechanical machinery. Obtaining an electronic test instrument for his birthday at the age of 13 sparked his desire for knowledge in the subject of electronics and engineering. His love of technical things was both his career and his hobby. He was able to build or repair anything - no matter how complex. He was rarely seen without either a technical book or a tool in his hands. Ted had a never-ending interest in learning and always carried a stack of technical books with him everywhere he went. Over the years he read hundreds of text books on advanced calculus, engineering, and computer design and had a collection of technical books greater than most libraries. Ted was also very hands-on and knew the practical aspects of almost any problem.
In 1958 Ted enlisted in the Navy before going to Officers Candidate School in Newport, RI where he was commissioned an Ensign in 1959. He went to Destroyers School and Instructors School and was sent to teach electronics and mathematics at the Navy's Nuclear Power school in New London CT. He left the Navy in 1962 after achieving the rank of LT, USNR and in 1963 started his career at NUWC in New London working with computers.
During his 31-year career at NUWC, he held the positions of Electronic Engineer, Digital Design Engineer, Hardware Engineer, and Chief Engineer of the Navy's active classification program before retiring as a Project Engineer in 1994. He helped develop high-powered active sonar systems for US Naval ships and submarines, designed and constructed numerous hardware projects for Sonar research, and directed the design and installation of data acquisition equipments aboard several navy vessels.
In 1989, Ted and a colleague received a patent for a fast Fourier pre-scrambler used for digital signal processing. While he originally designed the device for naval sonar use, it has since found many applications in cell phones and digital photography for speeding up date processing.
After retiring from NUWC, "Mr. T" worked as an electrical engineer with his son Timothy and helped start Tylaska Marine Hardware designing and manufacturing racing sailboat hardware. Ted loved this job and designed and built many machines for testing and producing the products. In a matter of months he self taught himself how to run CAD/CAM systems and program complicated CNC machinery. Ted's latest accomplishment was the design and construction of a 17KW solar array that now powers the facility.
He obtained his professional Engineer's License from the State of Connecticut in 1988 and at a time when most people were settling into retirement, Ted studied for and obtained his Master Electrician's E1 license in 2004. A lifelong member of IEEE he had written numerous articles for electronic and computer periodicals. A member of the Groton Navy Flying Club, Ted obtained his private Pilot's aircraft license in 1981 and his instrument flight rating in 1984.
Ted strived to pass his knowledge along to others and during his tenure at NUWC, also held part-time teaching positions at the Hartford Graduate Center, The University of Rhode Island, and the University of New Haven.
Mr. T's family will greet relatives and friends at The Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl Street, Historic downtown Mystic on Sunday from 2 to 4pm. A Funeral Service will be held on Monday at 11am at the Old Mystic United Methodist Church, Main Street, Old Mystic. Burial will be at Elm Grove Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.
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