Richard Francis "Rick" Makowski Jr.

Richard (Rick) Francis Makowski, Jr. passed on May 17, 2025, at the age of 79. He was born onFebruary 22, 1946, to Vivian (Steele) Makowski and Richard (Dick) Francis Makowski, Sr. Although his life started in Buffalo, NY, Kansas City was his home. He graduated from East High School in 1964, where he earned a varsity letter in pole vaulting. Rick was eager to start his adult life after high school and began an electrician's apprenticeship. This training was unexpectedly put on hold when he was drafted into the United States Army at the age of 18. He served for two years during the Vietnam War, offering his talented hands to repair anything with an engine.
When Rick returned home, he finished his electrician's apprenticeship. He eventually became an electrical journeyman and used these skills to work alongside his father at their family business, Bomar Electrical. Concurrently, he married Charlene Webb in 1966, and they soon grew their family with the addition of three sons: Michael, Craig, and Bradley. Rick was heavily involved in his boys' childhoods through the Indian Guides program at the YMCA, and the Boy Scouts of America.
After 20 years of marriage, Rick and Charlene separated. Later, Rick married Carol Heger, instantly becoming a girl dad to Carol's three daughters: Stacey, Kimberly, and Kelly. He gladly accepted his new role, stepping in as a father figure to the girls. Rick guided them through their youth and helped them grow into successful women.
Rick made building maintenance his life's work. He was an electrician and maintenance specialist at the 11th Oak Street Tower in Downtown KC, MO. He always had an innate knowledge of everything mechanical and could fix anything. After working Downtown for many years, Rick was hired by UMB Bank, where he not only worked in the field but also mentored many maintenance engineers for locations throughout the Midwest. He retired from UMB Bank in 2017. During his tenure at UMB, Rick met Kathy Padilla. They lived together for more than 20 years at his home in Blue Springs, MO.
After retirement, Rick continued to use his talents to help others with projects, large and small. During his later years, Rick's love for his home greenhouse flourished and provided him with a new outlet. He used his nurturing abilities to cultivate a beautiful array of cacti, plants, exotic trees, and koi fish. His greenhouse was his little piece of heaven on Earth.
Rick will be missed immensely for his gracious and giving heart and his unrelenting desire to help others with his talent, hands, and skills. We find comfort in knowing that Rick's legacy of helping others lives on through the lessons he taught us, his blunt but fatherly love, the amazing food he made, and all of the silly memories. There was never a dull moment aroundRick. His sense of humor is something we will all remember, shake our heads, and laugh at forever. (Just as he would've wanted.)
Rick is survived by his life partner, Kathy Padilla; his sons, Michael (April) Makowski, Craig Makowski, and Bradley Makowski; his step-daughters, Stacey Heger, Kim (Rob) Beilfuss, and Kelly (Matt) Snyder; Kathy's daughter, Angela (Gino) Insogna; his sister, Karine (Bill) Thomas; his former wife, Charlene (Bruce) Varner; his former wife, Carol Heger; his grandchildren, Merrick Makowski and Alana Makowski; his step-grandchildren, Gabby Abers, Izzy Chambers, Collin Chambers, Jackson Chambers, Owen Chambers, William Snyder, and Julia Snyder; his nephew, Aaron Thomas; his niece, Terra Castagna; his great niece, Avarie Castagna; his great nephews, Corben Castagna and Lucas Castagna, as well as numerous friends and extended family members who will miss him dearly.
Rick is preceded in death by his parents, Dick and Vivian Makowski.
A service in honor of Rick is scheduled at 11:30 am on Saturday, June 7th, 2025, at Lee's Summit Community Church located at 1440 SW Jefferson St., Lee's Summit, MO 64081. The service will be followed by a come and go Celebration of Life starting at 1:00 pm through 4:00 pm at the Event Space next to General Admission (GA) Sports Bar located at 3512 SW Market St., Lee's Summit, MO 64082. Both events are open to all who were blessed to know Rick.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Rick's name to the botanical garden, Powell Gardens, located at 1609 NW US Highway 50, Kingsville, MO 64061 or at https://powellgardens.org/why-donate-to-powell-gardens/. As a non-profit organization, Powell Gardens welcomes donations of any size to inspire an appreciation for the importance of plants in our lives.