Former USD vice president dies at age 66

Former University of South Dakota employee Roger Kozak passed away August 1, 2012. Funeral services were held today at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Vermillion.

Kozak was born October 15, 1945 in Lake Andes, SD. After graduating high school, he served in the U.S. Army for two years. He was stationed at Fort Benning Georgia and served as a non-commissioned officer for the 2nd engineering battalion.

When he finished serving, he attended Southern State College and received a doctorate degree from USD.

For 22 years, Kozak was employed at USD, serving as Special Assistant to the President, Associate Vice President and Vice President during that time. He retired in 2002.

While working at USD, Kozak stayed highly involved in the community by serving on the Vermillion city council for seven years and serving as mayor for three years. He was also involved in the Vermillion Chamber and Development Corporation, Junior Achievement, Community Foundation, Dakota Hospital Foundation and the USD Foundation Board of Trustees. Kozak was also a member of the Vermillion Rotary Club for 29 years.

Instead of flowers, please send donations to the Roger and Patricia Kozak Endowed Scholarship fund at USD or the Roger Kozak Rotary Endowed Scholarship fund managed by the Vermillion Area Community Foundation. hansenfuneralhome.com.