Kerry Lee Stransky
November 26, 1953 — March 4, 2026
Engineer. Inventor. Father.
Kerry Lee Stransky was a man of extraordinary capability and deep warmth. A defense engineer and inventor who helped build some of America's most important weapons systems, he brought the same energy and dedication to everything — raising his family, leading Boy Scouts, teaching Sunday School, and loving the people in his life. Born in the small Iowa town of Wellman, he carried its values with him across the country and back again: hard work, generosity, and an unwavering sense of duty.
Obituary
Kerry Lee Stransky
Kerry Lee Stransky, 72, of Wellman, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at Mercy Hospital in Cedar Rapids.
Kerry was born on November 26, 1953, in Iowa, the son of Wayne Stransky and Juanita (Batterson) Stransky. He grew up in Wellman, where he graduated from Mid-Prairie High School, carrying with him the values of that small farming community for the rest of his life. He went on to attend Iowa State University, where he earned his degree in engineering.
After college, Kerry began a distinguished career as an electrical engineer and inventor in the defense industry, based in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Over more than three decades, he contributed his expertise to some of the most significant defense programs in American history, including the Trident missile system, the Bradley Fighting Vehicle, the F-117A Nighthawk stealth fighter, and the F/A-18 Hornet. An inventive mind by nature, Kerry developed innovations in weapons systems and fire control technology throughout his career. He approached his work with the same quiet precision and dedication he brought to everything in his life.
Kerry married Theresa "Terri" Stransky on July 12, 2003, in Andover, Massachusetts. Together they built a life between New England and Iowa, eventually returning to Wellman — back to the land and the roots where it all began. Kerry and Terri lovingly adopted and raised their granddaughter Hailey, giving her a home full of steadiness and love.
Beyond his career, Kerry gave his time to the community. He taught Sunday School and served as Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 4 in Dalton, Massachusetts — shaping young lives with the same patience and steadiness he brought to everything.
He is survived by his wife, Terri, of Wellman; his son, Aaron (Gina) Stransky of South Carolina; his daughter, Maura Stransky of North Carolina; his step-daughter, Samantha (Tim) Hall of Coralville, Iowa; his step-son, Louis (Chelsea) Glaude of Wilton, New Hampshire; his granddaughter, Hailey Stransky of Wellman, Iowa; his brother, Larry (Linda) Stransky; his former wife, Sue McLintock, mother of Aaron and Maura; and many beloved nieces, nephews, and grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Wayne Stransky and Juanita (Batterson) Stransky.
A Life in Time
1953 — 2026
Born in Wellman, Iowa
Kerry Lee Stransky was born on November 26, 1953, in the small farming community of Wellman, Iowa, the son of Wayne Stransky and Juanita (Batterson) Stransky.
1953
Graduated from Mid-Prairie High School
Graduated from Mid-Prairie High School in Wellman, ready to pursue engineering.
1971
Engineering Degree, Iowa State University
Earned his degree in engineering from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa.
1975
Began Defense Engineering Career
Started his career as an electrical engineer in the defense industry, based in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.
1976
Trident Missile Program
Contributed to the Trident submarine-launched ballistic missile system, a cornerstone of America's nuclear deterrent.
1979
Bradley Fighting Vehicle
Worked on the Bradley Fighting Vehicle program, which would become the backbone of U.S. Army mechanized infantry.
1982
F-117A Nighthawk
Contributed to the revolutionary F-117A stealth fighter program — the world's first operational stealth aircraft.
1985
F/A-18 Hornet Systems
Worked on fire control and weapons systems for the F/A-18 Hornet, the Navy's premier strike fighter.
1990
Scoutmaster, Troop 4
Served as Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 4 in Dalton, Massachusetts, and taught Sunday School — shaping young lives in the community.
1995
Married Terri
Married Theresa "Terri" on July 12, 2003, in Andover, Massachusetts, beginning a partnership that would define the next two decades of his life.
2003
Retired from Defense Engineering
After more than three decades in defense engineering, Kerry retired with a career spanning some of the most significant weapons programs in American history.
2010
Returned to Iowa
Kerry and Terri returned to Wellman, Iowa — back to the land and community where it all began. They adopted and raised granddaughter Hailey.
2015
March 4, 2026
Kerry Lee Stransky passed away at age 72 at Mercy Hospital in Cedar Rapids, surrounded by his family. His legacy lives on in the systems he built, the family he raised, and the lives he touched.
2026
Moments
A life in photographs, video, and sound
Legacy
34 years building America's defense
For over three decades, Kerry Lee Stransky was part of the backbone of American defense. As an electrical engineer and inventor, he contributed his expertise to weapons systems that would define U.S. military capability for generations. The systems he helped build spoke for themselves.
Trident Missile
Electrical Engineer
General Dynamics / Lockheed
Submarine-launched ballistic missile system — the cornerstone of America's nuclear deterrent and second-strike capability.
Bradley Fighting Vehicle
Systems Engineer
General Dynamics
The Army's primary infantry fighting vehicle, providing troops with mobile firepower and protection on the battlefield.
F-117A Nighthawk
Weapons Systems Engineer
Lockheed
The world's first operational stealth aircraft. A revolution in military aviation that changed the nature of air warfare.
F/A-18 Hornet
Fire Control Systems
McDonnell Douglas
The Navy's premier carrier-based strike fighter. Kerry worked on the fire control and weapons delivery systems.
Partners in Defense
Family
The ground he stood on
Family was the ground Kerry stood on. He raised his children Aaron and Maura, married Terri in 2003, welcomed step-children Samantha and Louis into his life, and he and Terri lovingly adopted and raised granddaughter Hailey. The Czech-American heritage that began in the farmlands of Iowa continued through every generation.
Parents
Wayne Stransky †
Father
Juanita (Batterson) †
Mother
Kerry's Generation
Kerry Lee Stransky †
1953–2026
Terri Stransky
Wife (m. 2003)
prev. Sue McLintock
Larry Stransky
Brother
Linda Stransky
Sister-in-law
Children
Aaron Stransky
Son · SC
Gina
Daughter-in-law
Maura Stransky
Daughter · NC
Samantha Hall
Step-daughter · Coralville, IA
Tim Hall
Louis Glaude
Step-son · Wilton, NH
Chelsea
Grandchildren
Hailey Stransky
Adopted granddaughter · Wellman, IA
& many beloved nieces, nephews, and grandchildren
Three generations of Stransky men
A window into the family's heritage
Places
The journey from Wellman and back again
Wellman, Iowa
1953–1971Born and raised in this small farming community. Czech-American roots, Mid-Prairie High School, and the values that shaped everything that came after.
Ames, Iowa
1971–1975Iowa State University — where Kerry earned his engineering degree and launched his career.
Pittsfield & Dalton, Massachusetts
1976–2010sThree decades of defense engineering on programs that shaped American military capability. Scoutmaster for Troop 4 in Dalton. Sunday School teacher.
Andover, Massachusetts
1990s–2010sWhere Kerry and Terri married in 2003 and built their life together in New England.
Wellman, Iowa
2015–2026Full circle. Kerry and Terri returned to the land where it all began — back to Iowa, back to the roots. They adopted and raised Hailey here.
Tributes
Words from those who knew him
Shared Memories
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AI Memories
Coming Soon
Soon, you'll be able to have a conversation with an AI that remembers Kerry — his stories, his humor, his way of seeing the world. This feature is in development.
What was Dad like at work?
Kerry was the kind of engineer who'd stay late not because anyone asked, but because he wanted to get it right. He took quiet pride in his work on the F-117A...