College Fund for the Young Daughters of Rich Kulik

Our hearts are broken.


He left behind a young wife, Julie and 2 very young daughters, Caitlyn and Hailey who are now 7 and 5 years old.  Like we all do, he thought he had more time to save for the future of his children, but with mounting medical bills and a life cut too short he was unable to do so.  Rich highly valued education, and he was an aeronautical engineer. He would want his children to be able to get a college education like he did.  Please join me in honoring Rich and giving his children the chance of a college education.  All donations to this page will be divided equally and deposited directed into a PA529 college fund for Caitlyn and Hailey 

 Thank you for making Rich’s wish come true.  No gift is too small.  We know he is watching over all those he loved and is giving them strength going forward.

 To learn more about Rich’s journey and the wonderful man he was and will continue to be in our hearts, read more:

 

For those of you who have not met Rich, he was one of the most caring and compassionate individuals. When he met Julie, she was a volunteer for FIRST robotics, mentoring high school students.  He wanted to spend more time with her, so he became a mentor too, and helped spark numerous kids’ interest in STEM.  He helped inspire dreams, and encouraged the hard work that would make them a reality. 

In September 2018, Rich was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, and has been fighting ever since. This was a devastating blow for Rich, Julie, and their two young daughters, Caitlyn and Hailey, then ages 4 and 2.  After the initial shock, they adjusted to the new normal of doctor’s visits, chemo and radiation, and side effects with good humor, love, and hope for the future.

Rich’s energy was one of the first things to go, and he began to miss out on his children’s important little milestones so many of us take for granted. He started chemo and radiation on Caitlyn’s 5th birthday, beginning the heartbreaking pattern of missing out.  (Two years later, the cancer would steal Hailey’s 5th birthday too, with an ambulance ride to the hospital the day before, with a tumor on his spine.)

Determined not to let the cancer stop him, Rich decided to make the most of his time despite the pandemic, and began to design and build a playground for his daughters as a gift of his love, to bring joy when he is gone.  Rich took great pride in constructing the playground himself, and with the help of some wonderful people, the beginning of the playground took shape.

Construction halted as his energy continued to wane.  He was hit with several terrifying medical emergencies that required immediate surgeries.  Sometimes the outcome couldn’t be predicted.  With the devastating knowledge that time is precious, Rich and Julie began to plan a family trip to Florida to create lasting joyous memories for his girls to hold onto.

 In April 2021, just before they were to purchase their flights, a tumor in Rich’s spine stole his ability to walk.  

After several weeks in the hospital and rehab center, with countless exhausting and rigorous therapy sessions to learn how to live without the use of his legs, Rich was ready to come back home from the rehab center. It began a whirlwind of preparations and expensive renovations to accommodate his wheelchair, to get him back home with his wife and children.

 But the cancer stole that from him too.  Another medical emergency sent him back to the hospital from rehab.

 They continued to keep good spirits.  Julie fought countless policies against children and time restrictions put in place in the wake of COVID to ensure Rich, Julie, and their daughters could spend whatever precious time they had left, together.  Julie and the girls would frequently visit him in the hospital and rehab center, where Rich, Caitlyn, and Hailey loved completing art projects together, and continue to create memories.  

 But the fact remained: Rich was fighting a losing battle with his stage 4 cancer. Rich will miss Hailey’s first day of kindergarten.  He will miss his daughters’ first dates, first kisses, their proms, graduations, and their weddings. 

 Rich and his family were blessed when neighbors, friends, and family rallied around Rich and Julie, bringing meals, spending time with the girls during long treatments, helping prepare the house for Rich to come home, and offering a sympathetic ear and a shoulder to lean on.  Special days remained special with cakes and visits from neighbors, and these things mean the world to the Kulik family.

 Rich was called home to heaven peacefully on June 12, 2021. He leaves behind a devastated wife and daughters, and countless friends, neighbors, coworkers, and medical personnel who will miss him dearly.

 Please take the time to support this wonderful family going through the worst time, with a donation for the girl’s college education and a prayer. They did not have it easy these past few years.

 Please don’t hesitate to reach out to his wife Julie as the offer of a sympathetic ear or short visit goes a long way. 

Thank you so much for your support, and for keeping the Kulik Family in your hearts and prayers.