Richard Albert Cornack

February 5, 1943 – December 26, 2024

Richard Albert Cornack, known to many as Rick, passed away peacefully on December 26, 2024, in Westland, Michigan, at the age of 81. Born on February 5, 1943, in Flint, Michigan, to Richard Albert Cornack and Esther Hall Cornack, Rick was a man of sharp wit, intelligence, and a quiet but impactful presence.

Rick was the second oldest of four siblings. His sister Patricia Hall Hue Hee, the eldest, preceded him in death in 2021. He is survived by his younger sisters, Judy Valley and Susan Hoyt. Together, they shared a family bond that, despite life’s distances, created moments of laughter and enduring memories.

Rick’s story with Jane Elaine Fosgitt began in 1967 in Flint, Michigan. Born on August 13, 1946, Jane brought warmth and humor into Rick’s life. The couple married in 1969 and shared more than 55 years of love and partnership. Their marriage was filled with laughter, adventure, and unwavering dedication to one another. Jane fondly remembers Rick as a jokester with a stubborn streak, someone who could make her laugh and keep her on her toes.  Together, they embraced life’s quirks, from adventures traveling around the world to simple evenings enjoying ice cream or cheering for the Michigan Wolverines. Their bond, built on humor and resilience, only deepened with time, leaving a legacy of love that will endure.

As a father, Rick raised his two children, Alison Leigh Linford (52) and Christopher Allen Cornack (47), with a steady and practical approach. He valued independence and instilled resilience and resourcefulness in his children. His role as a grandfather brought him immense pride. Rick’s grandchildren—Peyton Cornack (22), Brennan Cornack (19), Josh Linford (15), and Andrew Linford (13)—remember him as a man of few words but endless wit. Whether cheering from the sidelines, sharing ice cream, or simply being present, Rick took immense pride in their accomplishments and the time they spent together. Rick had a deep love for dogs, a bond he shared with his children’s beloved pets, Moose, Chris’s loyal companion, and Winnie, Alison’s affectionate pup, who brought him joy and companionship in his later years

Rick’s education was a cornerstone of his life. A 1961 graduate of St. Matthew High School in Flint, where he played basketball and football. He went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Michigan-Flint in 1974 and a master’s degree in the arts from Central Michigan University in 1983. His love for learning, particularly in statistics, became a defining part of his personal and professional identity.

Rick’s career was varied and impactful. In the 1970s, he served as a unit manager overseeing admissions at Mid-Michigan Medical Center. In the 1980s, he owned and operated a travel agency, blending his entrepreneurial spirit with his love for exploration. Later, from 2002 to 2005, he worked as an adjunct professor of statistics at Coastal Carolina University in South Carolina, where teaching became his true passion. Though he dreamed of earning a Ph.D. to become a full-time professor, a disabling stroke in 2005 changed the course of his life.

Before his stroke, Rick was an avid golfer, hiker, and runner who thrived in the outdoors. Afterward, he faced his physical limitations with quiet determination, adapting to new ways of enjoying life. His love for Jeopardy!, ice cream, and Michigan Wolverines games remained constant.

Among his fondest memories was a 1996 backpacking trip through Europe with Jane. Ever the jokester, Rick captured “Where’s Waldo”-style photos of Jane at famous landmarks and orchestrated a scene atop a Swiss Alp where she twirled in a dress, channeling The Sound of Music. These moments reflected his playful and creative spirit.

Rick’s family will carry forward the values he embodied: resilience, humor, and the joy of living in the moment. Jane, his wife and partner for more than half a century, will remember his unwavering strength and sharp wit. His children and grandchildren, who brought him great pride, will forever cherish his love for teasing, his quiet encouragement, and the many memories he created with them.

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