1931
Richard
2016
Richard "Dick" M. Kowal
January 9, 1931 — June 15, 2016
Kowal, Richard "Dick" M.
Kalamazoo, MI
Richard ("Dick") M. Kowal passed away on Wednesday, June 15, 2016 after a lengthy illness. He was 85 years of age. Dick was born and raised in Chicago, the son of Michael and Mary Kowal. He was born January 9, 1931. After graduating from Lane Technical High School in Chicago, he came to Kalamazoo to attend Western Michigan University ("WMU"). He received both bachelor's and master's degrees from WMU in Industrial Arts Education. On June 18, 1955, he married Joan M. (Sharp) Kowal. They were married in Kanley Chapel and in June of this year celebrated 61 years of marriage. After having earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees from WMU, Dick spent his entire 35-year professional career with the Kalamazoo Public Schools ("KPS"). For many years, and up until the time of his retirement, Dick served as Director of Facilities in charge of all KPS school buildings, physical plants, and sports facilities. During his time as Director, he oversaw a massive, system-wide energy retrofit program of many existing school buildings as well as numerous major building remodeling and updating projects. A strong advocate for the inclusion and continued advancement of industrial arts education and technology training within public school systems, Dick also served as the Director of the KPS Apprenticeship Training Program for many years. Prior to that position, Dick served as a drafting and industrial arts teacher at Loy Norrix High School (where he was a member of the first faculty to teach at the newly constructed school in 1961), Kalamazoo Central High School and Northeastern Junior High School. Widely regarded by his friends, coworkers, neighbors and family members as an exceptionally kind, generous, compassionate and selfless man, Dick gave freely of his time, resources and knowledge base to advance the missions of numerous social, civic and professional organizations. As a longtime member of the Westwood United Methodist Church, he served both as church Trustee and member of the Westwood Foundation for many years. Dick oversaw and supervised the 1995 building expansion and renovation project - the first major construction project since initial construction of the church. He was a longtime, active member of the Michigan School Business Officials professional association and the Michigan Industrial Education Society, for which Dick served as president. Dick also served as president of the Kalamazoo Civitan Club. An avid supporter and fan of sports programs at Western Michigan University, Dick was a longtime volunteer and contributor to the Mike Gary Athletic Fund. Dick was a quintessential family man and was fully devoted and committed to his long and happy marriage of 61 years to Joan (Sharp) and to the welfare and support of his children and grandchildren. Dick was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Joyce M. Rodgers; and his beloved granddaughter, Jennifer L. Davenport. He is survived by his wife, Joan; daughter, Barbara J. Davenport of Kalamazoo; son, David R. Kowal of Kalamazoo; granddaughter Elizabeth J. Chapman (Nick) of Detroit; great-granddaughter, Adeline Jennifer Chapman; and many wonderful nieces and nephews. Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held on Friday, June 24th from 9:30 - 11:00 AM, with funeral services immediately following, at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 South 9th Street, Oshtemo, with Reverend Dr. Wayne Price and Reverend Dr. Eric S. Beck officiating. A luncheon will follow the service. Private interment will take place in Mount Ever-Rest Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Dick's name to the Westwood United Methodist Church Building Fund or the Mike Gary Athletic Fund at WMU.
**MEMORIALS**
Westwood United Methodist Church Building Fund
538 Nichols Rd.
Kalamazoo, MI 49006
(269) 344-7165
Mike Gary Athletic Fund at WMU
c/o WMU Foundation
1903 W. Michigan Ave
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
(269) 387-8700
3926 S. 9th St.
Kalamazoo, MI, US, 49009
3926 S. 9th St.
Kalamazoo, MI, US, 49009
Kalamazoo, MI
Richard ("Dick") M. Kowal passed away on Wednesday, June 15, 2016 after a lengthy illness. He was 85 years of age. Dick was born and raised in Chicago, the son of Michael and Mary Kowal. He was born January 9, 1931. After graduating from Lane Technical High School in Chicago, he came to Kalamazoo to attend Western Michigan University ("WMU"). He received both bachelor's and master's degrees from WMU in Industrial Arts Education. On June 18, 1955, he married Joan M. (Sharp) Kowal. They were married in Kanley Chapel and in June of this year celebrated 61 years of marriage. After having earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees from WMU, Dick spent his entire 35-year professional career with the Kalamazoo Public Schools ("KPS"). For many years, and up until the time of his retirement, Dick served as Director of Facilities in charge of all KPS school buildings, physical plants, and sports facilities. During his time as Director, he oversaw a massive, system-wide energy retrofit program of many existing school buildings as well as numerous major building remodeling and updating projects. A strong advocate for the inclusion and continued advancement of industrial arts education and technology training within public school systems, Dick also served as the Director of the KPS Apprenticeship Training Program for many years. Prior to that position, Dick served as a drafting and industrial arts teacher at Loy Norrix High School (where he was a member of the first faculty to teach at the newly constructed school in 1961), Kalamazoo Central High School and Northeastern Junior High School. Widely regarded by his friends, coworkers, neighbors and family members as an exceptionally kind, generous, compassionate and selfless man, Dick gave freely of his time, resources and knowledge base to advance the missions of numerous social, civic and professional organizations. As a longtime member of the Westwood United Methodist Church, he served both as church Trustee and member of the Westwood Foundation for many years. Dick oversaw and supervised the 1995 building expansion and renovation project - the first major construction project since initial construction of the church. He was a longtime, active member of the Michigan School Business Officials professional association and the Michigan Industrial Education Society, for which Dick served as president. Dick also served as president of the Kalamazoo Civitan Club. An avid supporter and fan of sports programs at Western Michigan University, Dick was a longtime volunteer and contributor to the Mike Gary Athletic Fund. Dick was a quintessential family man and was fully devoted and committed to his long and happy marriage of 61 years to Joan (Sharp) and to the welfare and support of his children and grandchildren. Dick was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Joyce M. Rodgers; and his beloved granddaughter, Jennifer L. Davenport. He is survived by his wife, Joan; daughter, Barbara J. Davenport of Kalamazoo; son, David R. Kowal of Kalamazoo; granddaughter Elizabeth J. Chapman (Nick) of Detroit; great-granddaughter, Adeline Jennifer Chapman; and many wonderful nieces and nephews. Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held on Friday, June 24th from 9:30 - 11:00 AM, with funeral services immediately following, at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 South 9th Street, Oshtemo, with Reverend Dr. Wayne Price and Reverend Dr. Eric S. Beck officiating. A luncheon will follow the service. Private interment will take place in Mount Ever-Rest Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Dick's name to the Westwood United Methodist Church Building Fund or the Mike Gary Athletic Fund at WMU.
**MEMORIALS**
Westwood United Methodist Church Building Fund
538 Nichols Rd.
Kalamazoo, MI 49006
(269) 344-7165
Mike Gary Athletic Fund at WMU
c/o WMU Foundation
1903 W. Michigan Ave
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
(269) 387-8700
Visitation
JUN 24. 09:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Langeland Family Funeral Homes - Westside Chapel3926 S. 9th St.
Kalamazoo, MI, US, 49009
Service
JUN 24. 11:00 AM
Langeland Family Funeral Homes - Westside Chapel3926 S. 9th St.
Kalamazoo, MI, US, 49009
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