Richard Lloyd Kowallik Ltc Retired

Richard L. Kowallik, LTC, US Army, Retired, passed peacefully at home with loved ones on the 5th day of November 2025.
Richard was born December 18, 1943, in Wabash, IN to Betty T. (Trump; Kowallik) Rollert of Goshen, IN, and Leo F. Kowallik, Goshen, IN and St. Annaberg, Germany. He spent his youth growing up in Syracuse, IN on Lakes Wawasee and Papakeechie. He graduated from Syracuse High School in 1962. Richard was active in scouting and received the Eagle Scout with Bronze Palm and God and Country Awards in 1957. He was a Brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow.
Richard graduated from Purdue University in 1967 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture/Wildlife Management and was a Distinguished Military Graduate with a Regular Army Commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in Armor. Richard received an associate degree in Logistics, ALMC, FT Lee, VA. He completed his formal education with a Master of Administrative Science from the University of Alabama, Huntsville in 1976.
Richard served his country for over 40 years as a member of the US Army and Civil Service. He served on active duty for 10 years. He served one tour in the Republic of Viet Nam. While on active duty he served as a Supervisory Contracting Officer at the USATACOM and USAMICOM. As a Reserve Officer he served in the Pentagon as a Procurement Officer and later as an instructor, then Director of Instruction and Deputy Commandant of the 3392nd USAR School in Huntsville, AL. He was a graduate of Armor Officer Basic Course, Ordnance Officer Advanced Course, Command and General Staff College, Army Logistics Executive Development Course and the National Security Course of the Army War College. Among his numerous decorations are the Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal w/ 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Services Commendation Medal, Viet Nam Cross of Gallantry w/ Palm, Presidential Unit Citation, and the Meritorious Unit Citation w/Oak Leaf Cluster. Richard was inducted into the Purdue University Hall of Fame ROTC in 2014.
Richard left active duty in 1976 to accept an appointment in Excepted Civil Service as a Business Advisor/Contracting Officer on the task force to establish the Department of Energy in Washington, D.C. He returned "home" to Huntsville in 1980 as a Contracting Officer at the George C. Marshall Space Flight Center with the Solar in Federal Buildings Program and the Tethered Satellite Program. He co-founded an undergraduate degree program in Contracting at UA Huntsville where he taught classes for several years. Richard transferred to USAMICOM and later to the US Army Space and Missile Defense Command where he retired in 2000 as the Chief of the Acquisition Management Division. Richard was inducted into the charter class of the Army Acquisition Corps in 1976. He was a Certified Professional Contracts Manager by the National Contract Management Association and a designated "FELLOW" by that organization. He was listed in the 2007 "Who's Who of American Executives." His civilian awards include the Department of the Army Exceptional Service Award and Army Meritorious Service Award. He was commended for his service by Resolution of the 106th Congress upon nomination by the Honorable Bud Cramer.
Richard founded Grindle Consulting Inc. in 2004 to assist small and small disadvantaged businesses in competing and winning federal contracts.
Richard had many "passions." Principle to all of them was his family, friends, dogs and love of the outdoors. He truly believed that 'I see friends shaking hands, saying how do you do, what they really mean, is I love you'. Richard believed that life was like a tire swing and that he was never growing older, just up.
The "Rainbow Bridge" may be a bit crowded. The "pack" of Beagles, led by Deuce, will be waiting. Along the path will be German Shepherds, a Chesapeake Retriever, some English Pointers, a sprinkling of Black Labradors, a Poodle, Cede of Lady Ann Lake, who saved his life, and then came Gidget. Escorting him across the "Bridge" will be Gunner, Gallum, Gandalf and Grindle (the Papakeechie Legacy of German Shorthair Pointers) and Annie, an English Pointer that ran with the "pack".
West Morgan High School reminded Richard of his High School Alma Mater. He became "Mr. BU" or "Mr. Richard" to the players, coaches, families and fans of the Lady Rebel athletic programs. Richard's Lady Rebels never failed in his eyes or heart. They were always "BU" (Be You) and there is nothing you cannot accomplish. His Lady Rebels proved that time and time again.
Richard was a sportsman and conservationist. He grew up hunting rabbits with beagles and trapping fur for income to support his hobby. He began trapping at 9 and flyfishing at 12. His passion for upland bird hunting and flyfishing took him to three continents (North America, South America, and Africa), 29 states, five Canadian provinces, and the countries of Belize, Uruguay, Guatemala, Yucatan, Mexico, and the Bahamas.
Richard was a passionate conservationist. As a member of Ducks Unlimited, he served as the Huntsville Area Chairman, Zone Chairman, District Chairman and Alabama State Chairman. He went on to become the Regional Vice-President (AL/MS) and South Mississippi Senior Vice President (AL/MS/TN/KY/AR/LA). He served on the Board of Directors of Ducks Unlimited, Inc. (US), Ducks Unlimited Canada and Ducks Unlimited de Mexico.
Richard served on the Board of Directors of the Carnegie Visual Art Center in Decatur, AL, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Madison County, Friends of the Wheeler Wildlife Refuge, and Phoenix Industries.
Preceding Richard in death are his father, mother, and one brother. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Jacqualyn "Dee"; daughter, Tammy Elliott (Clay Rivers); grandsons, Cameron and Tyler (Maile); great-granddaughters, Persephone and Saber; nieces and nephews; and sister-in-law, Penny Reagin (Joel).
Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at Laughlin Service Funeral Home. The funeral service will be at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at Laughlin Service Funeral Home. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to West Morgan High School, Trinity, AL, The Alabama Wildlife Federation, Ducks Unlimited, Inc., or a charity of your choice.