MRAZEK Richard
Posted: March 22nd, 2013
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.
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
www.mbfunerals.com
Rick’s unexpected passing has deeply affected his colleagues in the Canadian Environmental Education Community. He touched us all, in many ways, and did so much to strengthen environmental ed. My own interactions with him on the Canadian Network for Environmental Education, for which he laid the foundation, and more recently as a fellow member of the Canadian Wildlife Federation Learning Institute, deepened my respect for his talents and enormous vitality. We also often talked about our respective roles in academic administration, another part of life into which he poured so much enthusiasm and heart. My condolences go out to his whole family and wide circle of friends, and especially to Kristen, about whom he talked so often in such loving terms, and of whom he was so proud.
When I think of you, I will think of life’s great adventures, of your sincere concern and appreciation for this beautiful planet, and of how much you loved your family. Thank you for sharing your time with me. I am truly blessed to have known you and will treasure every memory. Rest in peace, dear friend.
To the family of Richard, please receive our most sincere condolences and may you find comfort in knowing that God’s hand is stretched out to us, always ready to help. In fact in Psalmes55:22 God promises to sustain us, strengthen us to cope in times of grief.
Our prayers are with you.
Dawn.