Obituary for Nikolaus John Kozauer
Nikolaus (Nick) John Kozauer, 89, passed away on May 14, 2020, in Silver Spring, MD, due to complications of COVID-19.
Nick was born on October 12, 1930, in Sophiendorf (now Zofia), Ukraine, to Nikolaus and Margaret Kozauer. He endured extremely difficult circumstances during World War II; a topic that he wrote and spoke about often. In 1947, following the war, he and his family settled in Bethlehem, PA. He went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from Lehigh University, his master’s degree from Muhlenberg College, and his doctorate in Russian history from Rutgers University. In 1966, Nick became one of the founding faculty members of Ocean County College, in Toms River, NJ. He was the first faculty member to be promoted to the rank of full professor in the community college system in the state, and was recognized as the college’s first Professor Emeritus upon his retirement in 1996.
Nick lived an active retired life, most notable for his love of singing and playing the harmonica (self-taught). He would preform regularly as part of several singing groups, and his renditions of classics like Silent Night and Edelweiss, sung both in English and German, will be forever remembered by all who knew him. Despite developing Alzheimer’s disease towards the end of his life, he maintained his kind personality and great sense of humor. Visits always involved sing-alongs of the “old standards”, the lyrics of which his family admittedly often had to Google.
Nick is survived by his son, Nick, his daughter-in-law Susan, and his granddaughters, Sophia, Maya, and Sydney. He is also survived by his brother John Kozauer. He is preceded in death by his wife, Frieda, his parents, and his siblings Cecilia Kozauer, Thomas Kozauer, and Agnes Brenner.
A lifelong educator with a passion for teaching, Nick will no doubt be welcomed with open arms to that great faculty club in heaven.
No services are currently planned because of the COVID-19 pandemic. A devout Roman Catholic, Nick will be buried next to his wife in Toms River, NJ, and will be remembered at a memorial service at a future time.
Nick was born on October 12, 1930, in Sophiendorf (now Zofia), Ukraine, to Nikolaus and Margaret Kozauer. He endured extremely difficult circumstances during World War II; a topic that he wrote and spoke about often. In 1947, following the war, he and his family settled in Bethlehem, PA. He went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from Lehigh University, his master’s degree from Muhlenberg College, and his doctorate in Russian history from Rutgers University. In 1966, Nick became one of the founding faculty members of Ocean County College, in Toms River, NJ. He was the first faculty member to be promoted to the rank of full professor in the community college system in the state, and was recognized as the college’s first Professor Emeritus upon his retirement in 1996.
Nick lived an active retired life, most notable for his love of singing and playing the harmonica (self-taught). He would preform regularly as part of several singing groups, and his renditions of classics like Silent Night and Edelweiss, sung both in English and German, will be forever remembered by all who knew him. Despite developing Alzheimer’s disease towards the end of his life, he maintained his kind personality and great sense of humor. Visits always involved sing-alongs of the “old standards”, the lyrics of which his family admittedly often had to Google.
Nick is survived by his son, Nick, his daughter-in-law Susan, and his granddaughters, Sophia, Maya, and Sydney. He is also survived by his brother John Kozauer. He is preceded in death by his wife, Frieda, his parents, and his siblings Cecilia Kozauer, Thomas Kozauer, and Agnes Brenner.
A lifelong educator with a passion for teaching, Nick will no doubt be welcomed with open arms to that great faculty club in heaven.
No services are currently planned because of the COVID-19 pandemic. A devout Roman Catholic, Nick will be buried next to his wife in Toms River, NJ, and will be remembered at a memorial service at a future time.