Rene´ J. Chouinard, 95, of Eureka Springs, Ark., husband of the late Ann Caroline Roberts, entered into Eternal Rest on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, at his home. He was born in Chicopee, Mass., on August 18, 1926, son of David J. and Marie A. (Belanger) Chouinard. He was a devoted follower of Jesus Christ and a parishioner of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church.
Rene´ was a proud citizen and veteran of two countries, Canada and the United States. He was a soldier in the Canadian Army during WW II and a Staff Sargent in the US Air Force. During his service he received the WW II Victory Medal with a letter from President Harry Truman thanking him for his service.
On Sept. 25, 1950, Rene´ married his sweetheart, Ann C. Roberts. Together they raised four children.
Rene´ attended Milwaukee School of Engineering. He worked at Capitol Radio Institute in Washington, DC, and Sandia Base Corporation in Albuquerque, N.M. After moving his family to California, he worked at Hughes Aircraft, TRW, then Caltech where he helped pioneer and develop laser technology.
He then moved his family to Connecticut and worked as a Sr. Research Engineer at United Technologies Research Center where he had several patents under his name. His last patent was a cable inspection laser which landed him a position at Princeton University working on the TOKOMACK Reactor project.
He is survived by his brother, Robert Chouinard, of Rockport, Mass.; daughter Debra Ivaldi and husband, Albert of Hickory, N.C.; daughter Linda Dudiak and husband, Joseph of Clayton, N.Y.; daughter Lisa Carcio and husband, Robert, of Farmington, Conn.; son André of Blue Ridge, Ga.; six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, one nephew, and three nieces.
He is preceded in death by his parents, David J. and Marie A. (Belanger) Chouinard, and his wife, Ann C. (Roberts) Chouinard.
A private service will be scheduled. Memorial gifts can be made to St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church and/or Circle of Life Hospice.
Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Nelson Funeral Service. Online condolences may be sent to the family at nelsonfuneral.com. © Nelson Funeral Service, Inc. 2022.