A Joint Tribute to Kenneth and Judith Saczalski

Dr. Kenneth John Saczalski (1939–2024) and Judith Anne Hodgins Saczalski (1941–2025) shared an extraordinary life defined by devotion, intellect, and a 62-year partnership rooted in mutual respect. Ken passed away on May 9, 2024, and Judi followed him peacefully on November 12, 2025. In death, as in life, they remain inseparable, leaving behind a legacy of professional brilliance and deep family love.

Ken was a visionary engineer, educator, and safety pioneer whose contributions spanned from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the moon. After earning a Ph.D. in Engineering Mechanics, he worked with Eastman Kodak on the Lunar Orbit Camera System, capturing historic images of the lunar surface. His career later took him to the Office of Naval Research and Northern Arizona University, where his dedication as a professor earned him the President's Award for Outstanding Faculty Contributions. As a nationally recognized expert in crashworthiness and occupant protection, Ken's research influenced federal safety policies for decades, culminating in 2024 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's acknowledgement of his work in seatback safety rulemaking. Despite his many accolades, Ken remained a man of great humility, finding his greatest joy in the discipline of athletics, the challenge of sailing his forty-foot boat to Catalina Island, and the quiet devotion he held for his family.

Judi was the vibrant heart of the Saczalski family, possessing a rare blend of warmth, determination, and "sassy" humor. After dedicating her early years to raising their children, she launched a remarkable career in real estate. Starting as a secretary in 1978, she showed a tenacious spirit that led her to earn her license and eventually purchase the firm, which she grew into Red Carpet Realty in Flagstaff. Judi was known for her sharp wit and her ability to transform any gathering into a celebration. She was a woman of many talents, being a gardener, an avid reader, and a gifted cook who famously served as the family's most capable "handy-man" by tackling any home project with confidence. Her spirit was the glue that held her family together, and her home was always a place of laughter and welcome.

Together, Ken and Judi built a life rich with adventure, from high-seas voyages to the shared pride of watching their family grow. They are survived by their children, Todd Kenneth Saczalski and Lauri Lynn Saczalski Lane; eight grandchildren, Grant Lane, Heidi Lane, Darryn Lane, Denver Lane, Curtis Saczalski, Taylor Saczalski, Chase Saczalski, and Michael Olivia Saczalski; and sixteen cherished great-grandchildren. Their impact is immeasurable, seen in the lives Ken's work protected and the many hearts Judi's spirit uplifted. They will be remembered as a couple who navigated life's journey with grace, courage, and an enduring love for one another.