Richard passed away on January 13, 2024 at the age of 66 years after suffering a catastrophic stroke following back surgery at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tucson, Arizona, a life cut far too short.

He is predeceased by his parents, Anthony and Vera Kowal who both passed away in January, 2021, and by his nephew, Mark Anthony Kowal (son of Jeannette).

He is survived by his three siblings, Jeannette Kowal (Pasadena, CA), Jacqueline Kowal (Robert Beick), (Dundas, ON) and Christopher Kowal (Toronto, ON), as well as his beloved nephew, Krystian Pushka (son of Jacqueline).

Richard grew up in Oshawa, attending John F. Kennedy Elementary School, Holy Cross School and Paul Dwyer High School (formerly Oshawa Catholic High School).

He moved to Tucson, Arizona to pursue his studies in music at the University of Arizona where he completed a Bachelor and Master’s Degree in piano performance.

He subsequently moved to Los Angeles to complete his Doctorate in performance at the University of Southern California (USC). After completing his Doctorate, he returned to Tucson which by then he felt to be his home. There he taught piano, played both organ and piano for church services, and became a piano examiner for the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto.

Richard loved to travel. He was always planning and saving for his next adventure. He recently went to Asia and Hong Kong with friends. He particularly loved to visit Poland to visit his cousins on his father’s side.

He was truly a man of the world, having triple citizenship; US, Canada, and Poland! At the time of his passing, he was planning to visit Poland as soon as he had recovered from his back surgery.

He was an avid skier and hiker and loved to be outdoors. He loved to make people laugh with his quirky sense of humour. He found great comfort in playing the piano and would spend hours practising. He was particularly fond of Chopin with whom he felt a kinship as a fellow Pole.

Richard also had a love of cars, especially vintage cars. He owned four vehicles at the time of his passing and was planning to fulfill his father’s wish to refurbish the family vintage Buick Riviera which he had had shipped down to Tucson.

He will be greatly missed by his remaining family.

A service will be held at ARMSTRONG FUNERAL HOME on what would have been his 67th birthday, Saturday, April 27th 2024 at 11 am followed by his interment at Resurrection Cemetery.