Lubomyr Kowal

With loving members of his family present, Professor Lubomyr Marian Kowal succumbed to Lewy Body Dementia and was welcomed into God's loving arms on Tuesday, October 21st, 2014 at St. Mary's Alzheimer's Center in Columbiana, Ohio.

Born the eldest son to Reverend Wolodymyr Kowal and Daria Spitzer in Medynia, Ukraine, Dr. Kowal, a kind, generous, and loving man, began his life's journey on February 3rd, 1931.

During the subsequent war years, his family was forced to leave the Ukraine and settled in Germany in 1945, where he made his home for the next six years.

By 1951, he immigrated to the United States, where he attended school and earned his undergraduate degree in Economics and Sociology from St. Francis College in 1955. His pursuit of knowledge unsatisfied, he continued to endeavor upon his education and earned an MBA from the University of Detroit in 1957.

By 1965, Dr. Kowal earned his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Illinois. As a Professor of Economics, and later as Professor Emeritus, at the University of Michigan for 33 years, Professor Kowal became a respected scholar in the following fields: history of economic thought, comparative economic systems and microeconomic analysis.

Gaining national and international recognition for his work, he became a renowned author of many books and academic articles published in numerous economic journals and other publications. In addition, he served as a guest lecturer at many colleges and universities throughout the United States and Europe.

Professor Kowal was an energetic, stimulating and outstanding teacher; a passionate advocate for his students. He was a positivist who never failed to see merit and a path for advancement in a student. Recognizing no barriers, he would teach incessantly in classrooms, offices, corridors and even in his home. Students respected him as he saw beyond many of their language barriers, learning difficulties, and personal misfortunes, helping them though not only academic challenges but through life difficulties as well.

His love for teaching was indeed on of his great passions in life.

In addition to his gift as an accomplished educator and expert in the field of economics, he was known to have a beautiful voice, which he shared with his church choir to glorify God.

Most of all, his deepest and truest passion was his family who he adored lovingly, treasured dearly and gave to generously. The virtues of the education and academics, the values of hard work and discipline, the cornerstones of his entire life, were affectionately bestowed upon his children. As a result, all four of his children earned doctorate degrees and achieved a high level of success in their respective disciplines.

Professor Kowal was preceded in death by his loving wife, Daria Halushka; his daughter, Lydia Kowal; his parents, the Reverend Wolodymyr Kowal and Daria Spitzer and his brother, Mr. Stefan Kowal.

He is survived by his brother, Mr. George Kowal; and his four children: Dr. Vera Kowal, Dr. Andrew Kowal, Dr. Maria Kowal, and Atty. Jerry Kowal, JD, MBA. His eleven surviving grandchildren include: Alex and Emily Bachwich; Olena, Danylo and Antonie Kowal; Stephen, Daria, Nicholas, and Julia Sansoterra; and Andrew and Caitlin Kowal.

Divine Liturgy will be held at the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church at 630 Laurel Street in Reading, Pennsylvania at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, October 27, 2014. Interment will follow at the Nativity BVM Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery.

Flowers can be sent directly to the church. Donations can be sent to the Lewy Body Dementia Association, Inc., (donate.LBDA.org) or to the Nativity of the BVM Ukrainian Catholic Church in lieu of flowers.

The Kopicki-Bradley Funeral Home, Inc., Reading is in charge of arrangements.