Richard C. Kovach Obituary (1951 - 2025)

Born Jul 04, 1951, Richard C. Kovach attended Middletown North High School in Middletown, NJ. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Richard C. Kovach.

Graduation Year	Class of 1969
Date of Birth	Jul 04, 1951
Date of Passing	Jan 26, 2025
About	Richard C Kovach Obituary Richard Kovach, 73, of Tinton Falls, NJ, passed away peacefully on January 26, 2025. A beloved brother, husband, father, educator and coach, he was a man of diverse talents and unwavering dedication to his family and friends. From his birth on the Fourth of July in Staten Island, NY, to his childhood in Leonardo, NJ, Richard's life was a journey of exploration. He proudly served in the U.S. Coast Guard, earning Marksmen and sharing his musical gifts by playing trombone in the Coast Guard band. He later honed his athletic talents on the baseball field, securing a scholarship to Lamar University after playing for Brookdale Community College. His love for church and music enriched his life and the lives of those around him. Richard dedicated 26 years to teaching physical education at Robertsville Elementary and Middle Schools in Marlboro, NJ. During this time, he drove a bus between Asbury Park and Red Bank, an experience that ignited his entrepreneurial spirit. This led him to set up Unlimited Addresses and become a successful real estate investor. When he wasn't in the classroom, at Home Depot or on the ballfield, you could find Rich indulging his passions: eating stuffed cabbage and watermelon, collecting coins and baseball cards, fishing, and always ready for a game of Chinese Checkers. Richard cherished his family deeply. He was married to his wife, Maureen Bjelka, for 43 years, and together they raised two daughters, Caroline and Stephanie. A devoted husband and father, he was always there with a helping hand and words of encouragement. He will be remembered for his infectious laughter, playful pranks, and the enduring friendships he cultivated over his life. Richard is survived by his wife, Maureen; his daughters, Caroline and Stephanie; his sisters, Nancy Surdi and Alice Solantay; his aunt, Eloise; and his nephews, Kenneth, Michael, and Thomas Bishop, Chase, Mark, Adam, and Aaron Kovach, and numerous cousins. He was predeceased by his father, Charles Kovach Jr., his mother, Alice Koenig, his brother, Robert, and his sister, Elise Bishop. In lieu of flowers, Richard's memory can be honored through donations to causes he held dear: supporting children's cancer research at St. Jude's, aiding American citizens in the aftermath of natural disasters through Samaritan's Purse, and assisting the brave men and women who defended our country through the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. A wake will be held on Friday, January 31st from 4pm-9pm at Evergreen Memorial Funeral Home (1735 NJ-35, Middletown, NJ 07748). Church services will be held at 10am Saturday, February 1st at Central Baptist Church (28 E. Highland Ave, Atlantic Highlands, NJ 07716). He will be buried at Fair View Cemetery 456 State highway 35, Middletown NJ 07748