Alfred John Kandik 1920-2011

KANDIK VASKO FRUEND

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 6/20/2011 at 20:12:24

Sioux City Journal
18 May 2011

SIOUX CITY -- Alfred John Kandik, 91, of Austin, Texas, formerly of Sioux City, passed away Saturday, May 14, 2011, in Austin.

Private services will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Cook-Walden Funeral Home in Austin. Online condolences may be sent at www.cookwaldenfuneralhome.com.

He was born March 18, 1920, in Toledo, Ohio, to Andrew and Klara (Vasko) Kandik, immigrants from Hungary. He was the seventh of eight children and was orphaned at age 11. He was nurtured by his siblings, who saw him off to college at Ohio University in Athens. His college career was interrupted by World War II, where he served for two years in the European Theater of Operations and participated in the D-Day landing on June 9 and the Battle of the Bulge.

Upon returning to Ohio after the war, Alfred married his college sweetheart, Esther Fruend, and completed his bachelor's degree. He completed his master's degree in psychology at Case Western Reserve. In 1949, he and Esther moved to Sioux City.

Al was in private practice as a psychologist for 32 years. He was also a professor at the University of South Dakota and Morningside College. He was involved in the art community in Sioux City. He started the first Great Books Discussion series and dedicated his time at the Sioux City Art Center.

Al and Esther had two children, Karen, a social worker in Minneapolis, Minn., and James, a real estate agent in Windsor, Conn.

Esther passed away in 1981 and Al continued with the plans they had to move to Austin, Texas. Al met the second love of his life, Alice Riley, at church in Austin. They were married in 1985 and moved to Lago Vista, Texas. Al became very involved in the arts community and for a time he operated an art gallery. He also treasured his time at the Lago Vista Library.

Even as Al faced health issues in the past few years, he maintained his enthusiasm for life and learning. He enjoyed fine art, great literature, classical music, writing poetry and could never pass up visiting an art gallery. Alice and others described him as "the most interesting man they ever met."

Al is survived by his wife, Alice; his daughter, Karen; his son, Jim; a stepdaughter, Valerie; a stepson, Jon and his wife Janet; a step-granddaughter, Chrissy; a step-great-granddaughter, Kate; a sister, Isabelle Martens of Cleveland, Ohio; special friends, the McCormacks; and many nieces, nephews and loving friends.

In lieu of flowers and customary remembrances, the family requests memorial contributions to the Sioux City Art Center or Lago Vista Library, 5803 Thunderbird, Suite 40, Lago Vista, TX 78645.