Richard J. Vasek of Starkville died at Grandview Medical Center in Birmingham on November 12, 2015.

He was born in Wharton, Texas on June 23, 1935 to James F. and Albina Vasek. He is survived by his wife, Lou Ann Ponder Vasek, two sons, Jeff (Sharon) Vasek of Los Gatos, CA and Blake Vasek of San Diego, CA; three daughters, Donna (Bonnie) Stephenson Orlando of DeSoto, MO, Carole (Matt) Groux of Bethesda, MD, and Laura (Brian) Annunziata of Fairfax,VA. He is also survived of his beloved grandchildren Lauren Stephenson of Maracaibo, Venezuela, Paige and Cooper Vasek, Audrey and Allison Groux, Richard Giovanni and Izabella Annunziata. He is also survived by three sisters, two brothers and in-laws in Texas and Florida. He is predeceased by two grandchildren Jamie Stephenson and Alec Groux, and by a special friend Hal Fuller.

Richard graduated from high school in East Bernard, Texas, and received his AA from Wharton County Junior College. He went on to Texas A&M for his B.S, M.S.ed, and EdD in College Station, Texas. In between his college degrees, he taught junior high school in Fort Worth; Arkansas A&M and finally 37 years at Mississippi State University. His positions at Mississippi State included Industrial Education Department Head and Associate Dean for the College of Education.

He remains close friends with many of his students from his early years at Mississippi State.

He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church from 1960 to his death, and was an active member of the Knights of Columbus, being one of the charter members of this group in Starkville.

Richard inadvertently became a Featherweight sewing machine repairman in his basement for his wife and many quilters in Starkville and throughout the state. He loved working on projects around the workshop, house and in his yard.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make memorial gifts may do so to the MSU Foundation, in honor of Richard J. Vasek for the College of Education at Mississippi State, P. O. Box 6149, Mississippi State, MS 39762; or to the charity of their choice.

Visitation will be held St. Joseph Catholic Church at 607 University Drive in Starkville from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. with a memorial mass to immediately follow. He will be interred in the Columbarium at St. Joseph.