George Michael “Mike” Pechar

Beloved husband, father, grandfather, teacher, and friend, George Michael "Mike" Pechar, 64, passed away on June 15, 2010 at Overland Park Regional Medical Center.

Mike was born on March 5, 1946 at Providence Hospital in Kansas City, Kansas. Being a son in a Marine military family, Mike moved all over the country, eventually graduating from an all-girls high school in Hawaii. He returned to Kansas to attend the University of Kansas where he received his bachelor, master, and doctorate degrees in education. While a TKE at KU, he met RoAnne "Ronnie" Nelson, and they married on December 21, 1968. Mike began his teaching career at Bishop Ward High School in KCK and transferred to Shawnee Mission Northwest High School. From there he served as administrator for Shawnee Mission School District and later for Blue Valley School District. He returned to his love of teaching at Shawnee Mission North and Oak Park High School in the North Kansas City School District before retiring.

Mike's passion for teaching inspired hundreds of students, many of whom returned to visit with him and share stories about how he influenced their lives. His students will remember Harvey, the 8 foot rabbit. Outside of teaching, he enjoyed reading, woodworking, fishing, the "boats," cooking, grocery shopping, and history, especially the Civil War era.

His favorite past-time, however, was being with his family. He was very involved in his daughters' activities, from coaching softball to inventions to debate tournaments. Mike instilled in them and his 2 granddaughters a passion for learning, a strong work ethic, and always reminded them to "dream the impossible dream." He often joked that he was originally 6'4" and after living with a beautiful and high-spirited wife, 3 daughters, and a female beagle he stood at 5'8".

He was preceded in death by his parents Jean and George Pechar and his sister Patricia Buel. He is survived by his loving wife of 41 years, Ronnie, his daughters Kiersten Wilson (Derek), Kathleen Pechar (Lew), Jennifer Minor (Stuart), 2 granddaughters, Katie and Annie, a brother Dennis (Paula), and 3 nephews and 1 niece.

The family wishes to thank the many people who cared for him during his illness, especially the staff at KU Medical Center.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Catholic Charities, 9720 W. 87th Street, Overland Park, Kansas 66212.

Memorial Service

A memorial mass will be held at 10 am, on Saturday, June 19, 2010, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 11300 W. 103rd Street, Overland Park, Kansas.