Linus Virgil Kovar
Linus V Kovar, 84, of Goleta, California, passed away on January 31, 2022, at his home with his family at his bedside. Linus was born in Crookston MN on June 23, 1937, to Henry and Adeline Kovar. He was the eldest of 3 children. He grew up in East Grand Forks, MN attending Sacred Heart Schools and the University of North Dakota from which he received a Bachelors’s Degree in Mathematics.
Linus was an avid hitch-hiker, either alone or with a friend during his college years. He traveled extensively throughout the United States during the summer months and school holidays. He had many interesting stories to relate to the family at gatherings and Holiday dinners. His sons and grandchildren begged to hear his stories repeatedly.
Linus moved to California in 1960 after accepting a teaching position in the Lompoc Secondary Schools, He taught there for 2 years then moved on to teaching inmates at the Lompoc Federal Correctional Institution. During this time he enrolled in post-graduate classes at the University of California, Santa Barbara to further his studies in Psychology, Philosophy, and Religious History.
In 1964 two major events occurred in his life. Firstly he met the love of his life (Elaine) through a mutual friend, and secondly, he went to work for a company that was then known as Defence Research Corporation. This was the beginning of a 42-year career in the Aerospace Defence Program. Linus worked for numerous companies in that time span. Among them were GRC, TRW, MTA, BdSystems, and CSC. His last 8 years of employment were at Boeing based at Vandenberg AFB outside of Lompoc, CA. He had especially fond memories of both CSC and Boeing where he developed lasting friendships with those who could speak and understand the language of space technology. He loved his work and would have worked indefinitely if health had permitted.
Linus is survived by his wife Elaine of 56 years. 2 sons, LaRae (Judy) and LaRoc (Linda). 4 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren. a brother Mark (Pricilla) who resides in Florida, and a sister Catherine of Goleta, CA. He also leaves many cousins who reside in the Minnesota and surrounding area. He was preceded in death by a baby great-granddaughter in 2007.
He will be greatly missed by family and friends. He was loving and kind. A person who always saw the best in everyone. He was a peacemaker.
The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Assisted Hospice Care for the care and concern provided during his lengthy illness.
A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Raphael’s Catholic Church in Goleta, CA. on April 8, 2022, at 10 am. A Reception will be held immediately after the Service at the adjacent Parish Hall. Private Inurnment Services will be held at the Goleta Cemetery.