Andrew John Kovac

Andrew "Andy" John Kovac - also known as "The Kovac," "King Andrew," "Dante, Dante, Belafonte," "Andrew Kovachelli," and any number of other aliases he concocted over the years - died Friday, Feb. 24, 2023, at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, following a short hospitalization that included mostly polite interactions with medical staff and occasional expletives for emphasis.

He was 85, which he claimed made him the oldest member of the Kovac family to date. Out of respect, we'll take his word for that.

Andrew was born Sept. 12, 1937, in Duquesne, Pennsylvania, to Andrew John Sr. and Mary Ann (nee Mishanin) Kovac, the oldest of three children. He graduated from Duquesne High School (Class of 1955) and the University of Pittsburgh before a successful corporate career with Montgomery Ward & Co., followed by stints as an insurance and real estate agent, newspaper circulation manager, and limousine driver. He made his home in the Chicago area, in Georgetown, Texas, and in Columbus, Ohio, among other cities.

He married Kathleen (nee Pagel) in 1962, and they had two children: Eric (Dr. Christine) and Marc (Alison). A third son, Anthony, died at birth. Andrew and Kathleen had an ugly divorce but eventually reconciled and were on friendly terms, which made for some really weird holiday get-togethers.

Andrew had an engaging personality and quickly made many friends wherever he went, including among his fellow residents at Seton Square North and the McDonald's on Henderson, where he was a regular. He took pride in his appearance and wardrobe, exercised every day, and would happily flex his muscles, if asked. He was generous, at times to a fault, and would give the shirt off his back if he thought it would help a veteran.

He bought many pairs of shoes from Gabe's on Sawmill, loved B.B. King and hamburgers, and preferred a big breakfast. He was a fan of Clint Eastwood and classic westerns but also watched every Hallmark Christmas movie broadcast during the holidays (though would never admit to crying or eating quiche). In true Kovac fashion, he was knowledgable about everything and had opinions on many topics, which he freely shared. Even in his hospital bed in his final days, he offered discourses on mechanization, the history of the Slavic people, and the development of the Blues in America.

And he liked to sing Mac Davis' "It's Hard to be Humble." Often.

Andrew was proud of his two sons and especially loved and bragged about his six grandchildren: Zoe, Nikolai, Levko, Andrew, Alita and Anthony, with whom he made many meaningful childhood memories. Andrew also loved and was close to his ex-wife's daughter, Amy (Joey Lovell) Caul, who considered Andrew a second father. Just the other day, she was telling her two sons, Greyson and Desmond, how cool Grandpa Andrew was.

There will be no funeral, per his wishes - he left behind a handwritten note strongly emphasizing this directive, adding, "Let me die in peace." Andrew made arrangements to donate his body to Ohio State University's Body Donation Program (https://medicine.osu.edu/departments/anatomy/body-donation-program).

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in his memory to organizations that support disabled veterans, as Andrew had a great respect for America's servicemen and women and regularly contributed to military nonprofits.