On Thursday March 12, 2020 Colonel Kirk John Haschak USA (Ret) passed away at the age of 57, after a long courageous battle with kidney cancer. He was born in Cleveland, OH, graduated from Stow High School and attended the Ohio State University on an ROTC scholarship. He was commissioned into the US Army in 1985 and was a true warrior statesman, serving as an Infantry Officer and a Foreign Area Officer for 25 years. He earned advanced degrees at the Naval Postgraduate School, the Army War College and the George C Marshall European Center for Security Studies. He also attended the Defense Language Institute in Monterey where he studied Russian.
While in the Army, Kirk earned the Ranger Tab, Air Assault Badge, Parachutist Badge, and the Combat and Expert Infantryman Badges. He served with distinction in Somalia in Support of Operation Restore Hope, Afghanistan in Support of Operation Enduring Freedom and in support of the Global War on Terrorism. Most notably he was the US Army Attaché to Belarus, and was the Military Assistant to the Deputy Chairman, NATO Military Committee, Brussels, Belgium. He also supported relief efforts in Florida after Hurricane Andrew in 1992. Colonel Haschak earned the following medals Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, and Bronze Star, among lesser awards.
After retirement, the family bought a small horse farm in the Lodi area. Kirk tried to pass on his passion for, and extensive knowledge of, history and geopolitics to the students at Buckeye High School. It saddened him immensely when he had to resign due to his health issues. He also loved his time coaching football and basketball at Buckeye, Cloverleaf and St Mary s School in Wooster, OH. He was a natural teacher and leader who demanded the same level of integrity and effort from the students he taught and coached as he put forth himself.
He is survived by his wife of 35 years, and partner in all of their adventures, Monica (Majka) Haschak, his son Jacob Sergie, whom he was immensely proud of; father, John (Cheryl) Haschak; mother, Dona (Sunyak) Haschak; sisters Debra (Ron) Meade, and Tecca (Ashley) Wright and grandmother Virginia Kennedy. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Lou and Ruth Kozman and Michael and Elizabeth Sunyak.
Private burial services with full military honors will be at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery, Seville, OH at another time. ALL OTHER SERVICE POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Kirk s name to a Veterans Organization, Cancer Research, or a charity of your choice. Memorial services are being assisted by McIntire, Bradham, and Sleek Funeral Home, Wooster, OH.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com.
Memorial Contributions
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Kirk s name to a Veterans Organization, Cancer Research, or a charity of your choice.
Service
POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
Visitation
POSTPONED
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your son during this time. You are very lucky to have shared your lives with such a fine man.
My prayers are with you and Jacob for comfort and strength, sending my deepest condolences to you and yours sweet lady.
Melissa and I wish you God’s peace and comfort during this time of mourning. Though apart in miles, you are close to our hearts as we send our love.
“Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.” Please accept my deepest sympathy.
I am so extremely sorry for your heartbreaking loss. Please accept my deepest sympathy as I keep your family in my prayers. Jana Sindelar-Martin
Dear John and family,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Prayers and condolences to all.
So sorry to hear this news. Thank you to Kirk and his family for his service. We send love and prayers for support at this difficult time.
God Bless you all. Ted and Laura Root
John, Cheryl and family,
Only the sound of silence can express my heartfelt sympathy.
Dear Kirk’s family,
Enjoyed having Kirk in class at Wayne College. And too, we both coached at Cloverleaf at the same time. He was a man of may talents. I am certain he is at peace.
Scott Hartman, Wayne College – U of A, Seville resident
Monica & Jacob, we were so sad to read of COL Haschak’s passing. His military biography reads like so many of us at Pens4Swords.org. We also spent time at DLI in Monterey and chewed the same sand abroad. Kirk is someone we would have proudly welcomed into our organization. It’s unthinkable that he passed while he was so young and had so much to teach and share. We deeply appreciate and respect his service and yours. Please know that you have military family nearby and if we can be of use to you, we will certainly do whatever we can.
I was blessed to know Kirk both as his teacher and his coach at Stow High School. He was a fine, fine young man; it comes as no surprise that he went on to do great things. What a heartbreaking loss. John, Cheryl, Tecca, and family, you have my deepest sympathy. I pray that you will find comfort and peace.
monica and jacob, we are so sadened to learn of kirk`s death. he was a grand man and i know you are as proud of his accomplishments as he was proud of you, his family. please be a peace.
So sorry to hear this sad news. Please accept my sympathy and prayers. John, Cheryl, and family may you all be comforted by the good memories <3