Stephan (Steve) George Kucer, of Munster, Indiana, age 94, passed away on Thursday, May 30, 2019. He is survived by his four children: Stephan Bradley Kucer, Kirsten Kucer, Garry Kucer (Laurie McCain), and Kris Kucer (Jerry) Dombrowski, and his dearly beloved grandchildren: Danielle and Sean Kucer. He was preceded in death by his wife ofContinue Reading
Stephan (Steve) George Kucer, of Munster, Indiana, age 94, passed away on Thursday, May 30, 2019.
He is survived by his four children: Stephan Bradley Kucer, Kirsten Kucer, Garry Kucer (Laurie McCain), and Kris Kucer (Jerry) Dombrowski, and his dearly beloved grandchildren: Danielle and Sean Kucer. He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Darlene (nee Boldt) Kucer and his 10 siblings.
Steve was the last living offspring of Andrew and Anna Kucer, Hammond, Indiana. He was a student-athlete standout at Hammond High School and served in the US Marines during WWII. After the war, he attended the University of San Francisco. He then returned to his high school alma mater to teach history and economics along with coaching basketball and football, all of which he loved doing. In 1999, he was inducted into the Hammond Sports Hall of Fame. Steve enjoyed going to Port Aransas, Texas during the winter months and spending summer weekends gardening at his cottage on Lake of the Woods in Plymouth, Indiana. Additionally, he loved meeting up with his friends at McDonalds daily as well as reminiscing with his teacher friends on Fridays. Steve was known for his wit and sense of humor as well as his no-nonsense character. He will be remembered by his family and friends for the glint in his eye and his welcoming smile.
Family and friends may gather at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church (500 Northgate Drive, Dyer, IN) on Saturday, June 15, 2019 from 10:00-11:00 A.M. with Memorial Mass to follow at 11:00 A.M.
Linda Earley
left a message on May 23, 2020:
I was blest to enjoy Mr. Kucer for classes in the mid '70s. I always looked forward to his classes, teaching and the repartee he shared with his students. Thank you, Mr. Kucer.
Del Kuchaes
left a message on October 15, 2019:
To the Family .. I just learned of the passing of Steve and remembered him for a lot of different reasons. My Dad. Pete Kuchaes, and Steve and his siblings grew up in the same neighborhood in "East Hammond" My Dad loved to to tell stories about growing up in that neighborhood through the tough times of the Depression of the 1930's and WW II...Dad and Steve's older brother (was it Joe, maybe?) played on the sane basketball team with members of the Kambiss and Gurniak and Abatie family. Steve, according to Dad, was considered the Little Brother who always wanted to play with the bigger and older guys and did quite well.
Steve, became my HHS football and basketball coach in the early 1960's...one of the very best coaches I ever head among the many good ones at HHS during the "glory years" of state championship football and great basketball, baseball. track and wrestling teams. He was also my history teacher and, in later years when I saw him, I told him he was the one teacher who inspired me to love and try to understand history in a way that did not just encompass names and dates .... I took my college major in history...and my love of history generated my interest in law and later, I was so proud he asked me to represent him in a minor matter...when he came to my office I remember how just his presence could light up his classroom, just as he lighted up my office when he walked in, took my hand to shake it in his bigger right hand with an equally big smile. What a wonderful man and coach and teacher he was...he will always be in my thoughts. A parting anecdote: Most of the guys on the football team will no doubt remember one of Steve's favorite comments to a player who had sorely not played to his abilities on a particular play in football...it went something like this, "Walter! I see you Walter!...you can't hide from me Walter! ....I'll be waiting for you Monday, Walter!" And, Steve was good to his word on Monday! Perhaps he will be waiting for us who knew him when we get there...
Alma Suarez-Hogan
left a message on June 10, 2019:
My condolences to the Kucer Family. I am a 1975 graduate of Hammond High and had Mr. Kucer as a teacher for the History/Government Class. And it is because of Mr. Kucer that I came to realize my love for all things history. In fact, I desired to become a History teacher after graduating high school but that plan was not meant to be.
I remember Mr. Kucer would always interject a joke or two casually while lecturing and if you were not listening carefully you would think it was just part of his lecture. But you could not help but chuckle when you saw that glint in his eye afterward.
After I graduated in 1975, I did not see Mr. Kucer until a couple of years ago at the McDonalds where he met with his friends. After we spoke for a few minutes, I mentioned how my plans to become a History teacher did not work out and that now I was a stay at home mom for my disabled son. He looked at me with that glint in his eye and said that he had only planned to teach a couple of years and then change career paths but that life happens and before you know it, you get married and have kids and bills and that you kind of get stuck where you are but that it turns out to be a good stuck and it is what you were meant to do all along. Forty something years later and he is still giving me advice and teaching me. And I look up to him all that much more for it. What a great teacher and so glad he crossed my path in life. RIP Mr. Kucer
John Egnatz
left a message on June 10, 2019:
I am so sorry for your loss, I had your dad Mr. Kucer for a homeroom teacher. I think your Dad bought a VW Carmen Ghia from my Father Dr. Nicholas Egnatz and painted it Pepsi Blue.
May your precious memories of Him and your faith sustain all of you during these difficult times of life.
Becky Crabb Osborn
left a message on June 9, 2019:
Steve Kucer was by far my favorite HHS (‘73) teacher. I worked hard in that class and he inspired me to add a history endorsement to my teaching degree. My friends and I learned where he lived and felt the need to TP his house frequently...apparently a teenage sign of endearment.
He would often ‘catch’ us and then invite us in to visit.
Such a great sense of humor.
Thank you for sharing him with countless students.
He left so much to so many.
Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.
Jonathan and Margaret Sabo
left a message on June 9, 2019:
To Mr Kucer’s Family. My husband and I were fortunate to be his students at HHS in the 1960s. We have not seen him for several years and often thought of him. He was a genuine hero teacher. We admired him so much. He could light up a room with his smile and laugh. My dad was a lot like him so I knew he was a special human. Our deepest condolences to his family.
Jonathan and Margaret Sabo
left a message on June 9, 2019:
To Mr Kucer’s Family. My husband and I were fortunate to be his students at HHS in the 1960s. We have not seen him for several years and often thought of him. He was a genuine hero teacher. We admired him so much. He could light up a room with his smile and laugh. My dad was a lot like him so I knew he was a special human. Our deepest condolences to his family.
left a message:
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Linda Earley
left a message on May 23, 2020:
I was blest to enjoy Mr. Kucer for classes in the mid '70s. I always looked forward to his classes, teaching and the repartee he shared with his students. Thank you, Mr. Kucer.
Del Kuchaes
left a message on October 15, 2019:
To the Family .. I just learned of the passing of Steve and remembered him for a lot of different reasons. My Dad. Pete Kuchaes, and Steve and his siblings grew up in the same neighborhood in "East Hammond" My Dad loved to to tell stories about growing up in that neighborhood through the tough times of the Depression of the 1930's and WW II...Dad and Steve's older brother (was it Joe, maybe?) played on the sane basketball team with members of the Kambiss and Gurniak and Abatie family. Steve, according to Dad, was considered the Little Brother who always wanted to play with the bigger and older guys and did quite well.
Steve, became my HHS football and basketball coach in the early 1960's...one of the very best coaches I ever head among the many good ones at HHS during the "glory years" of state championship football and great basketball, baseball. track and wrestling teams. He was also my history teacher and, in later years when I saw him, I told him he was the one teacher who inspired me to love and try to understand history in a way that did not just encompass names and dates .... I took my college major in history...and my love of history generated my interest in law and later, I was so proud he asked me to represent him in a minor matter...when he came to my office I remember how just his presence could light up his classroom, just as he lighted up my office when he walked in, took my hand to shake it in his bigger right hand with an equally big smile. What a wonderful man and coach and teacher he was...he will always be in my thoughts. A parting anecdote: Most of the guys on the football team will no doubt remember one of Steve's favorite comments to a player who had sorely not played to his abilities on a particular play in football...it went something like this, "Walter! I see you Walter!...you can't hide from me Walter! ....I'll be waiting for you Monday, Walter!" And, Steve was good to his word on Monday! Perhaps he will be waiting for us who knew him when we get there...
Alma Suarez-Hogan
left a message on June 10, 2019:
My condolences to the Kucer Family. I am a 1975 graduate of Hammond High and had Mr. Kucer as a teacher for the History/Government Class. And it is because of Mr. Kucer that I came to realize my love for all things history. In fact, I desired to become a History teacher after graduating high school but that plan was not meant to be.
I remember Mr. Kucer would always interject a joke or two casually while lecturing and if you were not listening carefully you would think it was just part of his lecture. But you could not help but chuckle when you saw that glint in his eye afterward.
After I graduated in 1975, I did not see Mr. Kucer until a couple of years ago at the McDonalds where he met with his friends. After we spoke for a few minutes, I mentioned how my plans to become a History teacher did not work out and that now I was a stay at home mom for my disabled son. He looked at me with that glint in his eye and said that he had only planned to teach a couple of years and then change career paths but that life happens and before you know it, you get married and have kids and bills and that you kind of get stuck where you are but that it turns out to be a good stuck and it is what you were meant to do all along. Forty something years later and he is still giving me advice and teaching me. And I look up to him all that much more for it. What a great teacher and so glad he crossed my path in life. RIP Mr. Kucer
John Egnatz
left a message on June 10, 2019:
I am so sorry for your loss, I had your dad Mr. Kucer for a homeroom teacher. I think your Dad bought a VW Carmen Ghia from my Father Dr. Nicholas Egnatz and painted it Pepsi Blue.
May your precious memories of Him and your faith sustain all of you during these difficult times of life.
Becky Crabb Osborn
left a message on June 9, 2019:
Steve Kucer was by far my favorite HHS (‘73) teacher. I worked hard in that class and he inspired me to add a history endorsement to my teaching degree. My friends and I learned where he lived and felt the need to TP his house frequently...apparently a teenage sign of endearment.
He would often ‘catch’ us and then invite us in to visit.
Such a great sense of humor.
Thank you for sharing him with countless students.
He left so much to so many.
Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.
Jonathan and Margaret Sabo
left a message on June 9, 2019:
To Mr Kucer’s Family. My husband and I were fortunate to be his students at HHS in the 1960s. We have not seen him for several years and often thought of him. He was a genuine hero teacher. We admired him so much. He could light up a room with his smile and laugh. My dad was a lot like him so I knew he was a special human. Our deepest condolences to his family.
Jonathan and Margaret Sabo
left a message on June 9, 2019:
To Mr Kucer’s Family. My husband and I were fortunate to be his students at HHS in the 1960s. We have not seen him for several years and often thought of him. He was a genuine hero teacher. We admired him so much. He could light up a room with his smile and laugh. My dad was a lot like him so I knew he was a special human. Our deepest condolences to his family.
left a message:
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.
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