One of Galesburg’s most influential and respected figures in both the health care and economic development fields for nearly half a century has died.
Richard S. “Dick” Kowalski, 79, CEO of OSF St. Mary Medical Center for almost 35 years, died Monday at Richard L. Owens Hospice Home in Peoria. He was 79.
Kowalski took over as president and CEO of OSF St. Mary Medical Center in 1979. His responsibilities were expanded in 2009 to include the position of CEO of the Western Region. He held the positions until he retired in 2013, but remained an advisor to OSF officials until his death.
Dr. Mark Meeker of Galesburg, vice president of Community Medicine Service Line for OSF Health Care, said “Dick was one of the most influential people in health care in Galesburg over the past 40 years.
“I think what’s unique about Dick is he came to Galesburg, planted his roots and he never left. You don’t see hospital administrators have a career that long at any one institution very often. To have that kind of longevity just shows the kind of relationships and trust that he built with people.”
Kowalski is survived by his wife of more than 40 years, Doris; sons Jerrod Kowalski of Oceanside, California, and Sterling Kowalski of Minneapolis; daughter Renee Longtain of Rainier, Oregon; and a sister Joan Kowalski, O.P. of San Diego.
Born in Detroit and raised in the Ann Arbor, Michigan, area, Kowalski earned his bachelor of science in business administration from Eastern Michigan University, and his master of science in health care administration from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas.
Roxanna Crosser, who is set to retire later this month as the CEO of OSF HealthCare’s Western Region, replaced Kowalski as the leader of St. Mary Medical Center in 2013.
“Dick was my direct boss for 25 years, out of his almost 35 with St. Mary,” Crosser said. “He was an incredible leader, and a true mentor to me. He was always there for me, and always there for all of the employees and parents, both at St. Mary’s and at Holy Family.
“Dick believed in giving back, and really wanted to be involved and present in the community.”
Crosser said Kowalski’s accomplishments are many, and his importance to rural health care in the Galesburg area and Western Region cannot be overstated.
‘A physician-friendly administrator’
During his tenure, Kowalski oversaw numerous construction projects, including the Emergency Department and helipad, the facility housing the Diagnostic Imaging Center and OSF Medical Group offices and the rehabilitation complex.
Obituary: Richard S. “Dick” Kowalski: February 18, 1944 ~ April 10, 2023
Kowalski also was instrumental in bringing the Galesburg Clinic into OSF HealthCare at St. Mary Medical Center.
The Richard S. Kowalski Staff Education and Development Endowment was created by the OSF St. Mary Foundation as a tribute to his legacy.
Meeker credits Kowalski with being a “very physician-friendly hospital administrator.”
“Dick really understood how to work with and talk to physicians,” Meeker said. “He really kind of introduced me to the administrative side of medicine. So I had a lot of interaction with Dick over the years.
“He was always focused on finding solutions. He was open to ideas and he solicited input from the doctors.”
Meeker added, “Dick took an interest in educating people, and that’s why there’s an education foundation at St. Mary that bears his name.
“He had as big of an impact on my career than anyone I’ve worked with.”
Kowalski also recruited many physicians to the Galesburg area.
“He recognized the impact St. Mary had on Galesburg, and the importance of being active in the community. He had a presence in Galesburg, and in turn OSF had that presence in Galesburg.” — Mark Kleine on Dick Kowalski
Galesburg businessman Mark Kleine — who spent many years on the board at St. Mary and is on the OSF Healthcare Foundation Board of Directors — says Kowalski “was somewhat of a quiet leader. He was very dedicated to OSF and the Sisters.
“He recognized the impact St. Mary had on Galesburg, and the importance of being active in the community. He had a presence in Galesburg, and in turn OSF had that presence in Galesburg.”
Kleine said Kowalski maintained a “very active” advisory board at St. Mary that kept key leaders in Galesburg involved in the hospital.
“Dick was always mentoring people, people at St. Mary and leaders in Galesburg,” Kleine said. “He had a real dedication to his craft, and really whatever he did. And his real dedication was to the mission of OSF and to the Sisters. That’s probably one of his greatest characteristics.”
Kowalski ‘a big promoter of Galesburg’
Kowalski served on the Galesburg Area Chamber of Commerce Board (president, 1991), the Economic Development Council (subsidiary of the Galesburg Area Chamber of Commerce) and the Knox County Development Corporation Board. He also served on the Galesburg Regional Economic Development Association Board and Executive Committee where he was the former chairman.
“I worked with Dick on a number of community organizations for many, many years — particularly economic development and the Chamber of Commerce,” said Galesburg Broadcasting President John Pritchard, the former Mayor of Galesburg who served on numerous committees and boards with Kowalski.
“He was a big promoter of economic development for Galesburg and a driving force behind the efforts. And he was obviously responsible for a very important organization in our community. He was a very bright mind.”
Meeker said Kowalski was invested in the community. Kowalski received the Thomas B. Herring Community Service Award in 2015.
“He was very active in the community and a Galesburg supporter,” Meeker said. “He didn’t just work here, he lived here.”
Crosser noted she was able to visit Kowalski within the last two weeks.
“I spent about 90 minutes with him about a 10 days ago,” she said. “We talked about our journey together, and we talked about so many people.”
Kowalski was a member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Galesburg. He was a member of Soangetaha Country Club in Galesburg where he loved spending time golfing and socializing.
His love for his family and friends was immeasurable, and we will miss his smile, his humor, and his caring nature. Dick would not eat rhubarb or coconut and had no patience for standing in a line. We will remember him as a snappy dresser. He loved French cuff shirts with cuff links and was always on the lookout for the next perfect tie. He loved a good party, to dance with his wife Doris, and a gin martini – shaken with a twist and no vermouth. — Richard S. “Dick” Kowalski obituary
A celebration of life for Richard S. “Dick” Kowalski and a time for sharing stories will be from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 22 at Soangetaha Country Club. Pastor Curt Lipe will offer a tribute at 4 p.m.
Memorials may be made to the Richard S. Kowalski Endowment for Staff Development at OSF St. Mary Medical Center, to Knox College, or to the Richard L. Owens Hospice Home. Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Service Galesburg Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.
