Leslie Harry Kool

Leslie Harry Kool passed to the arms of his Savior on December 12, 2016. He was 72 years old.

Les was born to Paula (Drobot) and Harry Kulchesky. When he was three, his father changed their last name to Kool. Les grew up in Hamtramck, Michigan surrounded by the Ukrainian culture which he treasured throughout his life.

Thanks to a few stalks of rhubarb in a back pocket, Les got to know Katie Dew, who he married in 1967. Together they had two daughters, Meg and Karen.

Les served in the Air Force for 23 years and received his Ph.D from Temple University. He taught economics at the Air Force Academy and at Judson University. He loved engaging in deep discussions and particularly enjoyed regaling people with stories of his familial homeland, Ukraine, which he was able to visit on five occasions.

He was a friendly, extroverted man who loved his family. A close family friend recently said that though Les lost 21 years to dementia, the kindness he displayed during his life prior to the disease more than made up for the years that were lost.

Les is survived by his wife, Katie and his two daughters: Meg (Rob) Dunn and Karen (Eric) Bode and 5 grandchildren: Nathan, Anna, Naomi, Andrew and Sadie.

A small private service is planned for family. In lieu of sending flowers, please consider a donation to Compassion International, which Les supported for many decades (compassion.com/ways-todonate.htm