Larry Kozal

The MAB is sad to pass along the news that former Grand Rapids market radio and television engineer Larry Kozal, Jr. passed away June 29 at the age of 81.  Kozal was born October 1, 1942, grew up in Muskegon.  In 1965 he received his B.A. degree from Aquinas College in Grand Rapids.

After teaching school in Bangor, MI, Kozal became a lifetime member of the Society of Broadcast Engineers, first working at WOOD-AM-FM-TV in 1968.  In October of 1995, he joined Grand Valley State University's WGVU-TV where he spent over 10 years as Senior Broadcast Engineer.  He retired in January of 2006.

Kozal was a long-time member of the ARRL Amateur Radio (HAM) Association as W8UJ (“73”s) and was an active participant with Gilda’s Club and the Knights of Columbus.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence J. and Eloise (Meese) Kozal, his son, Andrew Kozal, of Perrysburg, OH., and a brother, David. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Marie, and children Theresa; Timothy (Catherine); Robert (Kim); and daughter-in-law Sue (Phil) Stinson.  A memorial gathering will be held in the future.