Joseph Kawan

Joseph Kawan, 89, born on January 11, 1935, in Chicago, IL. Joe spent his first 25 years in Chicago where he developed an interest in technology. He served in the U.S. Army in a reserve capacity with honorable discharge in 1963. In 1958, he moved to Hollywood, CA where he had thought he had come to paradise. He worked for a technical division in RCA where, among other projects, he was involved in support of NASA's Ranger missions to impact the Moon. He also became a licensed pilot, enjoying flights to Catalina Island and elsewhere. He earned his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from California State University, Northridge. After RCA and various business ventures, including starting his own video business, he began a career at Citicorp's technology subsidiary, Transaction Technology, Inc. Over two decades he managed applied technology projects, such as screen phones and smart card technologies, which led to many of the 40 patents that he holds in transaction technology and gaming technology.
  
He met the love of his wife, Alice, in 1966 when he spotted her from across the restaurant while out to dinner with friends. They married in 1968 and continued to reside in Hollywood where they raised daughters Kelly and Jennifer. Joe and Alice both participated in many volunteer and leadership activities at their daughter's school, Campbell Hall. Joe served two terms as president of the Parent Teacher Council, and he could be seen with a video camera on his shoulder capturing events at the school at a time where few owned such devices. He also quickly blended in to Alice's family in Indiana, the Browns. Joe shared a love of media and craftsmanship with his father-in-law Wally and was even known to take Alice's grandmother for an airplane ride. He was an accomplished do-it-yourselfer, always repairing the family's cars himself and determined to build an addition on their home in his spare time. He was also known for visiting friends and then fixing something in their house or reconfiguring their home theater during his stay. 

Joe and Alice became passionate about international and RV travel. Their first overseas trip together to Rome, Greece, and Egypt led to many trips to Europe over the years, with a special love for Italy, especially Florence and Venice. They also enjoyed multiple cross-country trips in their RVs to visit family and friends and explore the U.S. In 2004, Joe and Alice made a permanent move to Rancho Mirage, CA after wintering over a few seasons in their RV. They spent the next 20 years hosting family and friends and traveling, and Joe served on the board of the Mira Vista Neighborhood Association.

Once Joe was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease, he continued his active life of family and travel while including activities to delay the progress of the disease. Even though he needed assistance, he could walk up until just days before his passing on May 24, 2024. Joe was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Ann Kawan, and by his daughter Jennifer Kawan.  He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Alice Kawan, daughter Kelly Fast and her husband Don Fast, granddaughter Kirsten Fast Suppa and her husband Sean Suppa, grandson Nathan Fast, and sister Pauline Meagher.

Instead of flowers or donations, please pass your fond memories along to Alice.