DR RICHARD MZAREK
1952 ~ 2013
DR. RICHARD MRAZEK of Lethbridge, Alberta, passed away suddenly on March 17, 2013, at the age of 60 years.
Born on May 26, 1952, in Lethbridge to Mary Rose Mrazek and Joseph Mrazek. He attended High School at Catholic Central. Rick then attended 2 years at the Canadian Armed forces Officer Candidate School, in Chilliwack, British Columbia and Graduated with Parade Appointment. He then served as a Lieutenant Officer for two years with the Canadian Armed Forces in the Navy. In 1977, Rick returned to Lethbridge to obtain the degrees of Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Education (1978), followed by two years of teaching in Coaldale and Stirling, Alberta. Ever ambitious and focused, Rick attended the University of Alberta to obtain his Masters of Education (1982) and PhD in Education (1989). Among his many talents he was an Alberta Fish and Wildlife Services Range Officer, an Alberta Fishing Education Program Instructor, and a Canadian Wildlife Federation instructor. He was also a St. John’s Ambulance Nationally Certified First Aid Instructor, an Advanced Open Water Instructor, and a Divemaster. He also taught from Grades 3 to his most beloved Secondary programs. In 1986, Rick returned to Lethbridge to start his dream job as a professor at the University of Lethbridge. From 2002-2008, he was the Assistant Dean of Graduate Studies and Research in Education, and served as Board of Governors’ Teaching Chair from 2008-2010. Most recently he served as the Associate Dean of the Faculty of Education from 2010 until his passing.
Rick loved to travel and had traveled the world between work and leisure, sharing the love of his second home in the Bahamas with his mother, his daughter and his sister. He was a teacher through and through and loved his job immensely. There was not a time that he wasn’t teaching, even when he was at home. The ocean posed as one of his greatest loves, whether it was scuba-diving, sailing, fishing, whale-watching or water skiing. His two other greatest hobbies were skiing, and horse-back-riding.
His list of awards and recognitions are too long to list but among the most recent was the Golden Jubilee Queen Elizabeth Medal of Honour for his contributions to Environmental Science Education over his lifetime. He was a true leader and a great man, a beloved son, father and brother.
Rick is survived by his daughter, Kristen Richelle Mrazek, his mother Mary Rose Mrazek, his sister Loretta Suttles, Kristen’s mother Sheryl Masters, his beloved godson’s Scott Bishop, Daniel Federkeil, and his goddaughter Carolyn Wood-Pearson.
A Funeral Service will be held at 10:00am on Saturday, March 23, 2013 at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL | 610- 4th Street South, Lethbridge, Alberta with Reverend Terry Shillington officiating. Interment to follow in the Mountain View Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation may be made to The Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) in support of Environmental Education | www.cwf-fcf.org or the Heart and Stroke Foundation | Box 2211, Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 4K7.
Send condolences at www.mbfunerals.com.
Martin Bros. Funeral Chapels Ltd.
610 - 4 Street South
Lethbridge, AB T1J 4P3
Phone: (403)328-2361 Fax: (403)382-3623
Toll Free: 1-800-382-2901