“Born and raised in North Dakota, son of a Polish immigrant railroad station agent and a German-Irish farm girl, Jack benefited from the Roman Catholic beliefs of his parents and the rural values of America. He never heard of West Point until his senior year of high school, and he sought an appointment simply because nobody he knew had ever gone there. The challenge was irresistible and also, it was a free education. Five months before his departure for West Point, he met the love of his life, Rachel Dhuyvetter.
Jack was commissioned on 4 June 1958 and, one day later, he and Rachel were married at the Cadet Catholic Chapel. After pilot training, Jack underwent F-100 Combat Crew Training and was then assigned to Kadena AB, Okinawa. Subsequent assignments took them to Hurlburt Field, FL and the Air Commandos, North Carolina State University for a master’s degree, Phan Rang, Vietnam (unaccompanied), USAF Academy to teach math, Maxwell AFB (AL), Nellis AFB (NV), the Pentagon, Greeley, CO for ROTC duty and, their last tour, NAS Keflavik, Iceland.
Jack did not embark on a second career, wanting to devote more time to Rachel and their family. He believed it was payback time for the sacrifices they made during his thirty-year career. He taught math part-time at the community college level and they traveled extensively. They moved to Air Force Village II (now Blue Skies of Texas, West) in January 1995.
Jack is survived by his wife of 66 years, their three children, Shawn, Blane and Shelli, six grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. In 2006, at age 71, Jack told Rachel that if he were to die that day, the only regret he would have was that he was leaving her alone. He was content with his life and at peace with himself.” (1)
Jack’s wife Rachel told us of his passing and said “He was so happy to be a Super Sabre member.”
A Memorial Rosary and Mass were held on July 12, 2024 at Blue Skies of Texas High Flight Chapel. Jack’s final resting place will be at West Point Cemetery.
He will be missed.
Sources: Rachel Bujalski and https://www.porterloring.com/obituaries/Col-Jack-Peter-Bujalski-USAF-Ret?obId=31776112