Phillip Leonard Koscheka, 65, of Waldorf, Md.

After an extended illness, Phillip Leonard Koscheka, 65, of Waldorf died January 21, 2012 at University Hospital in Baltimore, MD. Born September 20, 1946 in Nanticoke, Pa., he was the son of the late Felix and the late Helen Koscheka.

He is survived by his wife Jacqueline; brother Francis Michael Koscheka (Wilma) of Waldorf; sister Bonita Graboske of Honey Pot, Pa.; nieces, Lisa Snider (Rick) and Monica Lopez (Jesse) of Waldorf and Susan Dudinski (Joe) of Nanticoke, Pa; and nephews, George Graboske (Andrea) of Plymouth, Pa. and William Graboske (Mandy) of Nanticoke, Pa.

Phil proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1964-67, including an assignment at the Pentagon. He was a member of the American Legion in Greenbelt, Maryland. He later served various contractors at Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt providing IT management support for numerous projects. He moved to the Migratory Bird Management Program of the Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Department of Interior, retiring due to illness in 2010 after 31 years as Chief of Information Technology and Support Services. He derived great pleasure cultivating life long friends among his devoted co-workers.

He was a die-hard Penn State fan, who rarely missed a football game. He enjoyed many fall weekends in the rolling hills of "Happy Valley".

He was an accomplished photographer, who particularly enjoyed documenting college campuses and historic churches. His portfolio of Penn State photos was his pride and joy. He also enjoyed woodworking and the outdoors, taking great pleasure in maintaining his property.

He was a loving husband, brother and an unfailingly devoted son to his mother Helen. He was everyone's favorite uncle and an enthusiastic supporter of his grandnieces and grandnephews.

A passionate Christian who knew the importance of faith and family, he spent the last years of his life strengthening those bonds to leave a legacy of love.

Visitation will be held from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. with prayers at 3pm on Sunday, January 29 at Arehart-Echols Funeral Home in La Plata. A requiem mass will be celebrated Monday, January 30, 11 a.m. at St. Peter's Church in Waldorf. Interment will follow at St. Peter's Church cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Penn State Uplifting Athletes Lift for Life. 122 Lasch Football Bldg. University Park, PA 16802 , The National Kidney Foundation Finance Department 30 East 33rd St. New York, NY 10016 or the charity of your choice.

Arrangements provided by Arehart-Echols Funeral Home.