Rick Kowzic's Obituary
Rick Linn Kowzic,71, of Clinton passed away peacefully June 10, 2023, surrounded by his loving wife and favorite daughter.
Rick was born September 25, 1951, in Clinton, IA to Robert and Margie Kowzic. He was a South Clinton boy that had an amazing childhood that was filled with trips to Chicago to visit family, fishing with his dad, brothers, and friends, driving his mom crazy all the while making her laugh, and spending summers creating mischief and playing baseball. He graduated from Clinton High School in 1970. After high school Rick played baseball for Clinton Community College and graduated in 1972.
He loved great Rock music, cold beers with his buddies, and a blonde-haired beauty named Carla Rae Rickertsen. Rick and Carla married in August of 1976 and began a life of traveling and adventures. Their most elaborate adventure happened in 1983 when their only child, Rhya Leigh, was born. As Rick always said, “When you have the perfect child, you stop right there”. He was a devoted father who constantly reminded Rhya how much he loved her and how proud he was of her, all the way till very end. Rick had an amazing work ethic and was employed with Wonder Bread, Frito Lay, and retired as a proud Union Conductor from Union Pacific Railroad in 2017.
Rick’s greatest honor was the role of Grandpa. He encouraged desserts at any time, messy fun that Grandma had to clean up, countless adventures, and loving and supporting his grandchildren unapologetically. His grandchildren couldn’t have asked for a better grandpa; he was the best.
Rick was incredibly intelligent and was always ready to impart some wisdom or random bit of knowledge. He was charismatic and charming, stubborn and opinionated, tremendously funny and witty, a brilliant storyteller, and adored the people he loved with his whole being. If you’d like to honor him donate to a charity that is meaningful for you, tell the people you love how important they are, fish with your buddies, cheer on your kids and grandkids, root for the Cubs and the Hawkeyes, and eat a Vitale’s Pizza with sausage and anchovies.
Rick leaves many behind to mourn his loss, but carry on his incredible memory; his beautiful wife Carla, brilliant daughter Rhya (Andrew Castle), the three most amazing humans, his grandchildren Tayton Castle, Lilly Hankins, and Isaac Castle; his loyal brothers Bob (Lynn) Kowzic of Decatur,IL, Ron (Sue) Kowzic of Clinton, and Randy Kowzic of Clinton; his supportive in laws, Al and Gail Thompson of Clinton and Leo and Christine Rickertsen of Eagan,MN and numerous nieces, nephews and other family members that he loved dearly. He will be reunited in heaven with his mom and dad, loved ones that have previously passed, and his lifelong best friend, Jim “Brydie” Bryden.
A Memorial Service will be 3:00pm, Thursday, June 15, 2023, at the Clinton Chapel Snell-Zornig Funeral Homes & Crematory. A visitation will be from 1:00pm to the service time Thursday. Online condolences may be expressed by visiting his obituary at www.snellzornig.com
At his visitation Rick would want you to wear anything that made you comfortable and if you feel comfortable in Cubs or Hawkeye gear then he would think that’s pretty cool.
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