Aitcheson Harvey Studwell DeGraw

We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our truly magnificent and much-loved father, Aitcheson Harvey Studwell DeGraw. He ascended on March 2, 2024 at the age of 86. He is reunited with his beautiful wife, Dorothy Mae Byers DeGraw, who ascended before him on May 11, 1998, as well as his mother and father, Harvey & Jeanette DeGraw, his siblings Beverly Woelm & Harvey DeGraw, his niece & nephew Mildred and Harvey DeGraw, and his grandchildren Scott Pleva & Michael Byers Our father was larger than life to us. He was an accomplished civil engineer who designed and remodeled airports around the world. He worked for the FAA for over 50 years establishing standards for safe air travel. He worked with NASA, MIT and Harvard because he was an expert on wake vortexes. He loved aviation, and his enthusiasm drew us into his work. Dad thought being able to travel anywhere in the world was the most romantic adventure one could experience. He has been on every continent and to almost every country for work and for pleasure. Our mother shared his passion for globetrotting, and they made friends everywhere they went. But our father's favorite role was being a husband, father and grandfather. He loved nothing more than spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren. He was always there for all of us. He had an amazing sense of humor and an intelligent wit. He brought so much happiness into our lives and put smiles on so many faces. He enjoyed the beach, working on houses, and finding great places to eat shellfish! He worked hard, he played hard, he had a high curiosity level and such a love for life, that he was truly a joy to be around. He impacted the lives of so many, here at home and abroad. Whether you knew him by Dad, Brother, Uncle, Gpa, Boss, Ducky, Dave, David, Harvey, Aitcheson, Big H, Nick (he resembled Nick Nolte and some people started calling him Nick!), then you knew his big smile, very warm heart, and generous soul. He leaves behind his son William Byers; daughters Cheryl Arcodia, Barbara DeGraw and Michelle Hayden; sisters Fairlene Rabenda, Isabelle Moskaluk; brother Burt DeGraw; niece Jeanette DeGraw & nephew Aitcheson DeGraw who he viewed as his children; grandchildren Angela Arcodia, Charles Arcodia, Christopher Arcodia, Alex Barbieri, Kaitlin Furo, Melodi Furo, Jason Hayden, Lisa Pleva, Christy Audia, Billy Byers, Ricky Fox; and many nieces and nephews. WE ARE SUFFERING A GREAT LOSS. HE IS MISSED IMMENSELY!!! His wake will be held on March 9th at Volk Leber Funeral Home in Oradell, NJ from 10-12 and 1-3. A March 13 gravesite service will be held in Elkview, WV, where he will be buried next to his beloved wife, Dorothy.