Gregory Kowalski

Gregory A. (Dr. K) Kowalski, 59 of Mesilla Park passed away peacefully on Monday, Nov. 19, 2012, surrounded by his family. Gregory was born June 16, 1953 in Oak Park, Mich. to Robert and Frances Schihl Kowalski. On Sept. 6, 1990 he married Cathy (Margaret Catherine) Rogers and in 1994 their family grew to include daughter Franie (Margaret Frances). Gregory was very proud and happy to become a father. He earned an undergraduate degree with honors in 1981 from Chaminade University, Honolulu, Hawaii and a doctoral degree in osteopathic medicine in 1986 from North Texas State University, Fort Worth, Texas. Dr. K served the nation in the U.S. Army for more than 19 years receiving numerous military honors. His last military assignment was at White Sands Missile Range where he served as a physician. In 2000, he opened a private family medical practice in Las Cruces and in 2010 he joined the medical staff at University Health Center, New Mexico State University in Las Cruces. He was a gifted and compassionate doctor with a bedside manner not common in today's world. Dr. K delivered 207 babies into the world during his medical career, many from the Las Cruces area. He had a love of animals, enjoyed the finer things in life, including collecting art, cooking, snow skiing and trading humorous stories with patients and friends. Gregory is survived by his wife Cathy and daughter Franie both of the family home. His parents, Robert and Frances Kowalski, brother Bobby Kowalski (Kathy Elaine), sisters Teresa Buhre (Danny) and Kathy Ann Smith, brother Steven Kowalski (Lori) all of California, sister-in-law Clare Stachura (Hank) of Gallup, N.M. as well as many nieces, nephews, three grand nephews, many cousins and friends. Dr. K was preceded in death by his brother David, mother-in-law Peggy Rogers and father-in-law Jerry Rogers, as well as his faithful and beloved canine companion Myra. A memorial mass will be celebrated at St. Albert the Great, Newman Center, 2615 S. Solano Dr., Las Cruces on Monday, Nov. 26, 2012 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers please send memorial donations to the American Diabetes Association at P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312 or online at www.diabetes.org or to the American Lung Association at 1301 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Suite 800, Washington, D.C. 20004 or online at www.lung.org. Arrangements by Getz Funeral Home and Getz Family Crematory corner of Solano and Bowman Ave., Las Cruces, NM. 526-2419. To sign our local online guest book go to www.GetzCares.com.