Richard E. Malkowski

Richard E. Malkowski, 88, passed away on May 22, 2023 in the comfort of his home in Sun City, AZ, surrounded by his loving wife and children.

Richard was born on March 3, 1935, the only child of Edward and Ruth Malkowski in Chicago, IL. A graduate of The University of Illinois with a major in Geology, Richard later secured a job with Dow Corning Corporation, where he worked as a sales representative for over 30 years. In 1964, he met the love of his life, Betse Voss, with whom he wed on July 3, 1965 and remained happily married to for almost 58 years.

After retiring, Richard pursued antique dealing full-time, which was one of his favorite pastimes and a passion he shared with his wife. For several years, he and his wife traveled from Illinois to Arizona during the winter months, until they made Arizona their permanent home in 2015.

Richard was an intellectual who was passionate about the pursuit of knowledge and could often be found reading and collecting books. Throughout his life, some of his other interests included bowling, listening to classical music, writing poetry, vacationing with friends and family, solving word puzzles, playing bridge, and engaging in weekly game nights. The overall highlight of his life was spending time with his wife and family, who described him as being a loveable, witty, charming, gentle, kind-hearted soul.

Anyone who met Richard could feel immediately at ease in his presence due to his good-natured disposition and wonderful sense of humor. He will be remembered as a devoted husband, loving father, and doting grandfather and will be dearly missed. He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Betse (Voss) Malkowski, and his six children, Christine Malkowski, Paul (Rena) Malkowski, Jennifer (Jay) Haydock, Denise (Jamie) Hotchkiss, Ryn Ue, and Kat Malkowski, and his eight grandchildren: Kyle, Briana, Leah, Jake, Justin, Aderyn, Lexi, and Halina.

Visitation will take place on Wednesday, May 31, 2023 from 4-8 pm at Menke Funeral Home. There will be a funeral mass on Thursday, June 1, 2023 at 10:00 am at St. Elizabeth Seton, with the burial to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Society of St. Vincent De Paul at: www.svdpusa.org.

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What will they say when I am dead

That could have done else instead

Not just followed but should have led

Regardless of what others said

What do I have to leave behind

A partial poem not well-rhymed

A budding thought yet undefined

The product of a shallow mind

Why does it matter anyway

What I and others have to say

While here on earth for our brief stay

Unless we speak our words to pray

Why have I lived my life at all

Just to await the final call

Must we be taken to the wall

And tested to avoid the Fall

But no, there must be more than this

A tender touch, a hug, a kiss

A family and wedded bliss

Even in heaven that I will miss

~ Richard Malkowski