EUGENE KRIZEK

1927 - 2021

KRIZEK Eugene L. Krizek Exactly a month to the day after his wife, Adeline, of 66 years passed away, the eleemosynary visionary and longtime federal government worker, Col. Eugene "Gene" Lad Krizek (USAF Ret.) took his last breath at home and joined his beloved Heaven-sent on October 5, 2021. Born on December 17, 1927 to a Czechoslovak immigrant, Ladislov T. Krizek, and his wife, Elsie Schlesinger, Gene lost his father, a successful businessman, after the Great Depression, to cancer when he was 14 years old. He had to take up the mantle of "the man of the house." His fondest memories of his father were when they went to the polls and he would wear his elect FDR button, and then once meeting President Roosevelt at a rally in Cleveland. Too young yet to legally drive, he got a special driver's license from the Governor of Ohio to be able to drive his mom and younger twin brother and sister. Gene then proudly served two tours of active duty in the Air Force during both World War II and the Korean War. Afterwards, he graduated from Western Reserve (now Case Western Reserve University). By 1955, Gene was active in Democratic politics, coming to Washington, DC with Congressman Charles A. Vanik of Ohio, eventually going to work on the Kennedy campaign as his campaign manager for the State of Washington, and later serving as President John Kennedy's Director of White House Liaison at the State Department. After the assassination, President Johnson asked Krizek to stay on at the State Department in Congressional Relations as Director of Congressional Services. Krizek devoted another 20 years to government service. He had an illustrious career in public service at the White House and at State, where he was able to champion humanitarian bills to aid foreign countries and refugee legislation for families seeking a better life in the United States. Gene remained active in the Air Force Reserves, even enjoying a partnership with another reservist, Barry Goldwater! Another important point in his early political career was organizing Capitol Hill staffers called The New Frontier Club, a group of veteran Kennedy organizers who met twice a month to continue to promote ways to carry out the Kennedy agenda. Gene Krizek liked to tell people he started out with nothing but a dream. In 1985 he founded before Christian Relief Services with just a $10,000 donation and a desire to help people in need. A self-admitted "failure at retirement", Krizek began in a third floor storeroom in the attic of a Georgetown townhouse. Today, the charity he started is a $50 million international philanthropic organization which provides safe and affordable housing, and millions of dollars in food, medical supplies, tools, shelter, training, and educational programs. Christian Relief Services' first project was providing assistance overseas - sparked by the experience Krizek had spent working on refugee issues at the State Department. But more and more of his attention focused on problems at home in America. He turned to helping in Appalachia. Gene was appalled by the extreme poverty he witnessed, and quickly began working in partnership with dedicated local volunteers and founded the charity, Americans Helping Americans. He helped Americans by providing food and supplies, rehabilitating homes, and even raising money to help send kids to summer camp. Moved by an article detailing the high rate of suicide among American Indian teenagers, Krizek visited several western reservations to meet with Indian leaders and get a firsthand look at the problems faced by them. He partnered with Gold Medal Olympian Billy Mills (Oglala, Lakota) to form what is now the charity, Running Strong for American Indian Youth. Throughout Indian Country, but with a strong focus on the Pine Ridge and Cheyenne River Reservations, the organization supplies food monthly to thousands, assists local groups to provide critical services, constructed dialysis clinics, built and rehabilitated many homes, and installed hundreds of wells to bring much-needed clean drinking water to Native people. Billy Mills, on learning of Gene's death, said that in 1986, when he and his wife, Pat, met Gene "we immediately realized that he was a man of incredible vision, virtues and values Now, he is on his spiritual journey, the most sacred journey of all." Building on Krizek's experience through the State Department, he teamed up with Phyllis Keino, a renowned humanitarian in Kenya, and started the organization, Bread and Water for Africa, that continues to be fueled by Krizek's philosophy of empowering local people to help themselves. The organization supports grassroots initiatives for self-sufficiency, health, and education through building children's homes, schools, clinics, and a hospital. Other program work includes providing medicines, medical supplies, clean water development, food self-sufficiency, vocational, primary, and adult literacy, and HIV/AIDS education and outreach, all with a focus on women and children. Looking back on these many achievements and vital partnerships Krizek said, "It's an awesome legacy! I feel fulfilled. I feel we really have made a big difference." He attributed much of his success to friends and family (he included his loyal hardworking staff as extended family members), quoting a favorite saying, "No man is alone if he has a family and friends who believe in his dream." Gene Krizek liked to say, "It is my belief that we can bring about a positive change sending forth tiny ripples of hope. Each act of kindness, as expressed throughout many charitable efforts, gives hope to the disadvantaged and offers a challenge for others to do the same." Colonel Krizek is survived by his three sons, Virginia State Delegate Paul Krizek (Tracey Navratil), Bryan Krizek (Rita), and Neil Krizek. He is also survived by his grandchildren: SSgt Justin Krizek, USMC (Jessica), Cameron Krizek (Bridget), Victoria Krizek, and Khloe Krizek; great-grandchildren Dean, Eliška, and Killian; a sister, Patricia Devoe of Bethesda, MD, and a sister-in-law, Betty Krizek of Durham, NC. A celebration of Gene's life will be held jointly with that of his wife, Addy, on October 16, 2021 at 11 a.m. at St. Luke's Episocopal Church. Gene will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in the near future. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Christian Relief Services (www.christianrelief.org). Professional services entrusted to Greene Funeral Home, Inc.A celebration of Gene's life will be held jointly with that of his wife, Addy, on October 16, 2021 at 11 a.m. at St. Luke's Episocopal Church. Gene will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in the near future. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Christian Relief Services (www.christianrelief.org). Professional services entrusted to Greene Funeral Home, Inc.