Algimantas John Ciplickas was born on September 21, 1941, in Vilnius, Lithuania to
proud parents Jonas, a businessman, and Jouze, a seamstress. After escaping the
country during WWII at age three, he and his family fled to Austria where they lived until
he was eight years old. It was at this age that his father, mother, and new baby brother
Auksuolis came to America as refugees, along with his mother’s brother Pranas, his
wife, and their children. They arrived at Ellis Island on October 14, 1949 not knowing a
word of English and embarked on their journey to live “The American Dream.”
Al spent his youth in Queens, Flushing, New York. His parents owned a grocery store in
popular Murray Hill, located down the street from where they lived. After high school,
he moved to St. Louis, Illinois where he attended Parks College, graduating with a
bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering. Al then joined the Air Force and was
assigned to scientific research at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, furthering his
education at the Air Force Institute of Technology and achieving a master’s degree in
aeronautical engineering.
Al was a lifelong scientist and engineer. While in the Air Force, he worked at Lawrence
Livermore National Laboratory, and then, in civilian life, at Science Applications
International Corporation (SAIC), building ultra-detailed computer simulations of
complex physical phenomena. From there he launched his own business in computer
consulting, expanding his efforts to include both software and hardware development,
enjoying the rise of personal computing and all things “high-tech.”
Al is survived by his children Tomas, Natalie and Dennis, as well as numerous
grandchildren and great grandchildren who affectionately called him Papa Owl.
Al was a Loving Father, Devout Catholic, Loyal and Caring Friend, Fearless Adventurer,
Avid Health Nut, Dedicated Gym Goer, and Forever Frugal. Al will live in the hearts of
all he came in contact with, and be remembered ever so fondly by all who knew and
loved him. One of a kind, truly gregarious – Al, you will be missed! May you rest in
peace.