Robert "Mike" Kovalsky

Robert Michael "Mike" Kovalsky passed away on November 14, 2022, at the age of 67, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Mike was born on December 15, 1954, in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, into a military family. He grew up in various cities across the country and abroad, spending some of his childhood years in Santiago, Chile, and back in the United States in Virginia, Wisconsin, Georgia, Kansas, and eventually Leesville, Louisiana, where he graduated high school in 1972. Mike attended Louisiana Tech University, where he met his wife, Karen. They graduated in 1975 and moved to Shreveport, where Mike began his career as a CPA with Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co. Mike and Karen married in 1977 in Springhill, Louisiana, and have been married for 45 years. They have three children, Michael, Laura and Christopher. Mike later became a partner with Kovalsky & Matthews CPAs. For the last thirteen years of his life, he thoroughly enjoyed his career as the Chief Financial Officer for Anderson Oil and Gas. Mike served on the board of directors for Sci Port Discovery Center and Beach Colony West Homeowners Association in Navarre Beach, Florida.
Mike always enjoyed learning, was an avid reader and was a go-to for advice in all areas of finance and investing. In his later years, he loved spending time relaxing on the beach in Navarre, Florida, and made many friends there. However, his favorite place to go was the family farm that he worked hard to build in Mansfield, Louisiana. On a pretty day, he could always be found riding around on a tractor, fishing, or sitting by the pond with his beloved dog. He loved spending time with his children at the farm and more recently, seeing his grandchildren learning to fish there, too.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Colonel Michael Kovalsky and Jenny Van Reyen Kovalsky. He is survived by his wife, Karen; their three children, Michael (Kara) Kovalsky, Laura (Jeffrey) Pearson, Christopher (Lauren) Kovalsky; five grandchildren, Hudson, Campbell, Vincent, Allen and Kathleen; his sister, Mary Ellen (Reid) Kennedy, Lynn (Tim) Shearin, and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Mike lost his courageous second battle with lymphoma. His family wishes to extend a thank you to the Hematology/Oncology physicians, dedicated sixth floor nurses and staff at Ochsner LSU Health. They would like to give a special thank you to Dr. Kirtan Koticha for his care throughout Mike's initial diagnosis and treatment. The family would also like to express their sincere gratitude to the Carpenter House for their comfort in his last week of life.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society or an organization of the donor's choice.
A memorial service will be held at First United Methodist Church on Friday, November 18, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. A visitation will be held in the sanctuary beforehand, beginning at 12:30 p.m.