John Edward Kicza, 68, retired professor of history and former administrator at WSU, died at his home in Pullman on Wednesday, March 9, with his wife, daughter, and son at his side.
On faculty for 29 years, Kicza had served as associate dean for the College of Liberal Arts and as chair of the Department of History. He loved teaching and nurturing his students, and often would say, “I can’t believe they’re paying me to do something I love so much.” Active in many university concerns, he was widely regarded as a “voice of reason” and as an effective mentor to students and colleagues.
During the past 19 years, Parkinson’s disease progressively eroded his health. He retired from WSU in 2009.
Memorial contributions in John Kicza’s honor are suggested to the Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation, online at www.nwpf.org or via postal mail to the care of Kimball Funeral Home, PO Box 323 in Pullman.
The family will greet friends during a visitation at Kimball Funeral Home in Pullman on Tuesday, March 15 from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father Jeff Core on Wednesday, March 16 at 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Pullman. Vault interment will follow at the Pullman Cemetery and friends are then invited to join the family for a reception at the Banyan’s on the Ridge Pavilion.