Richard M Kowalczyk

Richard (“Richie”) Kowalczyk, 76, of Vermilion Township, died unexpectedly on July 27, 2026, following a sudden medical emergency.

Born in Lorain, Ohio, on July 13, 1950, he graduated from Admiral King High School and earned an associate degree in chemistry from Lorain County Community College. He briefly worked at Amoco Corporation outside of Chicago before being drafted in 1971 by the U.S. Army. He served in a medical lab at the Long Binh Post outside of Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City).

In 1977 he married Joan Butkiewicz, whom he grew up with in the same neighborhood and began dating after his return from the war. He worked as a scheduling foreman in the pigment division of the Ferro Corporation in Cleveland for more than two decades.

Rich had a deep passion for hobby farming. For as long as anyone can remember, he dreamed of owning property outside of Lorain where he could grow a big garden and tend to animals. In 1984, he and Joan bought an old farmhouse with a garden as large as the entire Lorain city lot where he grew up. He spent his summer days growing vegetables, and in the off-season, he tended to seedlings that he placed all over the house. Throughout the years he cared for many dogs, chickens, geese, turkeys, fish, barn cats, and for a short time, honeybees.

Rich had an irreverent sense of humor. You never knew what kind of thing he might say. He was a generous father to his sons Nick, born in 1979, and Ben, born in 1983. Having grown up in financial hardship, Rich felt happy and proud to buy his sons the toys his family never could have afforded, to give both of them cars when they turned sixteen years old, and to send them away to earn college degrees after having saved for their educations since their births.

Rich is survived by Joan, to whom he was married for forty-nine years; sons Nick (Jen Biasillo) Kowalczyk of Freeville, New York, and Ben (Julia) Kowalczyk of Lakewood, Ohio; sister Joan Kowalczyk of Lorain; brother Mike (Kathy) Kowalczyk of Nunda, South Dakota; several in-laws; and five grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents Michael and Lottie (née Loda) Kowalczyk.

Per Richard’s request, there will not be a viewing. Funeral Mass will be held Thursday, August 13, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Parish, 731 Exchange Street, Vermilion, OH 44089.  Military Honors will be presented after the Mass.

Online condolences may be made at www.riddlefuneralhome.com