Sun Lakes Knights and Friends Mourn the Untimely Death of a Good Citizen

Richard Sobczak and John Caravella (left) selling tickets for a Knights of Columbus dinner

Maynard Iverson, Recorder, Council 9678

On the 20th of April, Brother Rich Sobczak, a longtime member of Council 9678, met an untimely death. Rich suddenly passed away at his home in Sun Lakes. Rich was a native of Chicago who moved to Sun Lakes in the early 2000s. Rich joined the Knights of Columbus in 2006 and quickly progressed through the three degrees of active membership, receiving the 4th Degree in 2014. He won the respect of the Knights by his involvement in every activity of the Council, including highway cleanup, the soccer challenge at St. Peter’s Indian School, serving ice cream floats for patients at the VA Hospital, family breakfast at St. Steven’s, NAMI Walk, and working at the State Fair, which earned money to help pay for the rental of the coliseum for StandDown in February. StandDown provides services for handicapped and needy veterans. Rich performed yard work for widows in his neighborhood and also served as Sentinel and Warden.

Sobczak’s longtime landlady, Ms. Lynn Casey, made the arrangements for the interment of his ashes at Valley of the Sun Cemetery on the 24th of May. On the 26th of May a celebration of life was held at Sisk Park. Those wishing to donate to the memorial for Sobczak should send a check made payable to Lynn Casey at 26642 S. Brentwood Drive, Sun Lakes, AZ 85248.

The Sun Lakes Council has more than 100 members, many of whom are “aging and ailing;” thus, new, younger members are needed. If anyone has an interest in joining the Knights of Columbus in Sun Lakes, please contact Bryant Sayers at 502-456-1172 or [email protected].