Richard Francis Kusek, age 85 of Fennville, passed away Sunday, May 10, 2015 at Briarwood Assisted living in Allegan, Michigan. Richard born on July 8, 1929 on a family farm in rural Nebraska. He spent his early years attending a one room country school near Elyria, Nebraska and graduated from high school in Hastings, Nebraska at age 16. Richard then attended one year of college before enlisting in the US Army. He spent most of his enlistment with an Army engineer unit in post war Japan. After his discharge from the Army, Richard entered the University of Nebraska using the GI Bill to help pay part of his expenses. While there, Richard joined the Naval Air Reserves and, after attending just 2 monthly meetings and with no training or uniforms, was called to active duty in June 1950 at the onset of the Korean War. He reported to North Island Naval Air Station in San Diego, was given an issue of uniforms and assigned to a runway accident crew where he learned on-the-job to be a crane operator. After one year of Navy service Richard was discharged and returned to college, this time at Loyola University in Chicago for a bachelor's degree and then DePaul University for an MBA, with field of specialization in accounting. Richards academic record was so outstanding that he was quickly offered a faculty position at Loyola where he taught accounting for 35 years. During that time he received numerous awards for his teaching proficiency and accomplishments. He was highly regarded for his intelligence and was a member of Mensa. In 2007 Richard married the former Marlaine Erikson and they split their time between Michigan in the summer and Florida in the winter before settling permanently in Fennville, Michigan. About three years ago Richard became progressively blind and infirm and was placed in a nursing home in Allegan, Michigan. He is survived by his wife, Marlaine, a sister (Adeline Beecham), two brothers (Eugene and Leonard) step son Richard Blanchard, step daughter Karrie Chapman, and numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, May 15, 2015 at the Chappell Funeral Home 637 W. Main St. Fennville, Michigan, with Fr. Fabio Garzon officiating. At his request cremation has taken place, and his cremains will be buried in Columbus Nebraska. An online registry book is available at www.chappellfuneralhome.com