Rocketry Planet

Mrazek prepping a V-2 to fly on a HyperTek 5478 Maxi M hybrid motor. Photo courtesy of Wayne MacMillen.

YORBA LINDA, California USA — Wayne Mrazek, owner of Now Hybrids and a long time member of the Rocketry Organization of California (ROC), has passed away due to complications from heart surgery on June 10, 2008 at Long Beach Memorial Hospital in Long Beach, California.

Mrazek was the driving force behind Now Hybrids, a company aimed at providing and supporting hybrid rocket technology.  Now Hybrids offered ground support equipment and other hybrid accessories, including the popular CSE 1, the most advanced microprocessor controlled hybrid launch system available.

Mrazek's 15 plus years of experience with commercial high power hybrid rocket motors, combined with his excellent customer service and infectious enthusiasm for hybrid technology was the cornerstone to the company's success, and enabled him to build a loyal following both in the United States and abroad.

"Wayne will be missed, he has been a good friend for 12 years," said David Griffith, owner of RATTWorks, another trend-setting hybrid rocket motor manufacturer. "All the RATT motors were first test flown by Wayne," Griffith added. "He was the main guy for beta testing."

Mrazek's absence will be felt in the United Kingdom as well.

"He was a key bloke for us in supplying, amongst other things, ground support equipment for many of the big projects we have done for television and film over here in the United Kingdom, such as the [Top Gear] Reliant Robin Space Shuttle and others yet to be screened," customer Damian Hall stated.  Hall and Colin Rowe, through Uncle Bob's Rocket Shop and The RocketMen, have been instrumental in many of the larger projects commercially flown in the UK.
 
"It was Wayne who was the guy I first started talking to a few years ago when I started out on my hybrid journey. He was a practical bloke who, for one, I thoroughly enjoyed talking to," Hall added.  "Given the lack of hybrid expertise over here in the UK, Wayne was a key person in passing knowledge to us."

Mrazek had undergone heart surgery at Long Beach Memorial Hospital in Long Beach, California, and passed away from complications of that surgery at 3:30AM on the morning of the 10th.  Mrazek is survived by his wife, Pat, and two children, Allen and Alicia.

Andrew MacMillen has set up a photo page and guest book for Mrazek at http://www.rattworks.net/wayne/.  Please stop by and leave a comment, or submit any photos you may have with a caption.

There will be a memorial service Friday, June 13, at 11:30AM at:

Loma Vista Memorial Park
701 E Bastanchury Road
Fullerton, CA

Following, family and friends are invited to join in a celebration of Wayne's life at the California Asian Bistro, 1000 S. Harbor Blvd., Fullerton, CA.  Please RSVP to Wayne's sister, Betty Obradovich, if you will join for lunch to This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it  or 760-861-8709. In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer donations to the American Heart Association.