Richard Lee Konieczka

Dr. RICHARD LEE KONIECZKA Dr. Richard Lee Konieczka, age 73, of Kalamazoo, Michigan died at home, Friday, October 28, 2011 surrounded by family and friends. Rich was born on March 25, 1938 to the late Leo and Josephine Konieczka in Saginaw, Michigan. Rich graduated from Glen Arbor High School, attended Northwestern Michigan College, and continued his education at the University of Detroit, where in his junior year, he became a Jesuit seminarian until 1965. As a teaching fellow he earned his MA degree from Loyola University, Chicago. He taught at Springfield College in Illinois. He entered the Doctorial program at the University of Michigan as a teaching fellow from 1968 to1970. From 1970 until his retirement in 2002, he taught at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. He taught English, Philosophy, speech, Meditation and career decision-making and was most proud of creating a class on "The Study of Love." In 1977 he married the love of his life, Barbara Names who survives him along with his daughters, Julie Konieczka and Amy Names Wilson and son-in-law Jarrod Wilson; grandchildren Maeve Christine and Cade BurleighWilson; sister-in-law Christine Names and brother-in-law Richard Goodwin; sister Carol Comrie and his brother Stephen Monroe. He was preceded in death by his sister Mary Nowicki. In accordance with his wishes, Richard will be cremated and a memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Southwest Michigan and the American Cancer Society. Arrangements have been entrusted to Avink Funeral Home Cremation Society of Schoolcraft, Michigan.