Dr. Richard Kowalske

Dr. Richard F. Kowalske, 58, died suddenly on Saturday August 14, 2010 at Northeast Georgia Medical Center from malaria. "Dr. K" had recently returned from Uganda, Africa where he and his wife, Brenda, were serving with Helping Hands Foreign Missions.

Dr. K was born June 6, 1952 in Wyandotte, Michigan to Harold and Maryann Kowalske. Life Chiropractic College brought him to Georgia. After graduation, he moved to Gainesville where he set up his practice of over twenty-five years. In 2002, Dr. K and Brenda were called into full time ministry and formed Helping Hands Foreign Missions. Together with Helping Hands, they focused attention in Bolivia and Uganda where the lives of countless people have been changed by their medical and spiritual ministry.

Master of Martial Arts, Dr. K studied and taught Tang Soo Do for over thirty years. He also had a passion for building and construction, a talent he utilized in the designing and building of communities here in Georgia as well as Bolivia and Uganda. In the past twelve years his greatest desire was to reach the hearts of people for Jesus Christ.

He is survived by his wife, Brenda; his children Lisa, Jennifer, Richard, Ryan, Zachary, Russell, Lee, Freddy and Allison; his grandchildren Billy, Joshua, Benjamin, Hannah, Andrew, Ezekiel, Trey, Savannah, Norah, Hazel, Lucas and Micaela.

Funeral Services will be held at Riverbend Baptist Church, 1715 Cleveland Highway, Gainesville, GA 30501 on Tuesday, August 17, 2010 at 11:00 am with Rev Matt Wethington and Rev Kevin Ross officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Helping Hands Foreign Missions for the Village of Eden project. www.helpinghandsmissions.org.

Memorial Park Funeral Home North-Riverside Chapel, 989 Riverside Drive, Gainesville, GA 30501 is in charge of arrangements.

Send online condolences to www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com