Richard Kora

Richard M. Kora was a loving husband, caring father, attentive grandfather and accomplished professional. He was a student of life and a practitioner of knowledge. With his studied mind and compassionate heart, Dick was truly a "rebel turned beloved educator.”

Richard was born in Hamtramck, Michigan to Walter Kora and Lillian (Ahola) Nelson on February 25, 1941. At the time, the United States was cautiously watching events unfold in Europe, and President Franklin D. Roosevelt was encouraging Americans with his Fireside Chats. Families had come through the challenges of economic depression with a strong work ethic and a determination to make life better for their children.

With her children’s interests at heart, Richard’s mother moved to Rudyard in Michigan's Upper Pennisula when he was six years old. He attended school in Rudyard and earned a reputation in high school as somewhat of a rebel. Because he liked to wear his hair long, a respected basketball coach dubbed him "Haircut."

After graduating from Rudyard High School, Dick went directly into the U.S. Navy, concentrating in Naval Aviation. When he completed his military service, he started looking for work. His search led him to Muskegon, Michigan and to the love of his life.

Dick was introduced to Sally Pivonka when she was attending business school in Muskegon. The two fell deeply in love and committed their lives to one another in marriage on June 26, 1965 in Iron River, Michigan. They were blessed with the birth of their first child, Steve, before moving to Lansing and the opportunities that awaited Dick there.

While working construction to support his family, Dick attended Lansing Community College and then Michigan State University. The same year that his daughter Julie was born, Dick graduated from M.S.U. with a B.A. in Education. His degree was a launching pad for a fulfilling career that captured his desire for knowledge and his abilities to inspire others to learn.

Dick was fortunate to be hired right away by Ovid-Elsie High School, and he never found the need to teach anywhere else. Teaching language arts was a natural for a man who was very well read and was energized by intelligent conversation. As an example of the need for his students to be critical thinkers, Dick always looked at all sides of an issue before forming his own opinion. For that reason, he listened to talk radio, read numerous newspapers and magazines so that he was thoroughly informed by the time he truly spoke his mind.

Dick went on to earn a Master’s Degree at M.S.U., and Psychology became his favorite subject to teach. However he became known as "The Curmudgeon" was surely in contrast to the respect he earned as a distinguished educator. Dick retired from the Ovid-Elsie School District after 32 years of dedicated service to his community.

In retirement, Dick was a bit nervous about that stage of life, because he never liked sitting around. However, he had always maintained an active lifestyle and that continued, with even more family to enjoy. When he became a grandfather, Dick took great pleasure in being with his children and grandchildren. He looked forward to his annual hunting expeditions with his son Steve, and he was even known to play "Barbie" with his granddaughter Koralyn. The family had a favorite spot on Lake Superior where they made many a driftwood bonfire and cooked supper on a stick. In Kinross, in the Upper Peninsula, Dick had built a cottage with his stepfather out of logs they personally cut. Many family memories were created there.

A self-styled man, Dick liked smooth jazz music and cooking. He became especially good at making chop suey, eggrolls and a variety of shrimp dishes—a family favorite.

A devoted family man and career educator, Richard will be dearly missed by all who knew him, learned from him, and loved him.

Richard M. Kora, age 68 of Ovid, Michigan, passed away on October 28, 2009 after a battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife Sally. Also surviving is his son, Steve (Denise) Kora; his daughter, Julie (Raymond Bailie) Kora; brothers, Ken (Penny) Nelson and Tom Kora; brother in law, Russell Curtis; grandchildren, Mallory and Devin Kora, Koralyn and Konner Bailie and many nieces and nephews. Richard was preceded in death by his parents, step-father, Elmer Nelson, and his sister Barbara Curtis. Funeral services will be held, Saturday, October 31, 2009 at 11:00 AM at The Houghton Chapel of Osgood Funeral Homes, 232 E. Oak St in Ovid, with Pastor Everett Smith officiating. The family will receive friends on Friday, October 30, 2009 from 2-4 and 5-7 PM at the funeral home. Sympathy may be expressed in the form of contributions to the charity of families’ choice. To learn more about Richard and view his Life Story Film, visit his personal webpage at www.lifestorynet.com/memories/52912 where you can archive a memory or photo and sign his memory book.