Accession UAA-2000-041 - UAA-2000-041

Dr. Frank Kozar was born in Kavanaugh, Alberta on August 30, 1929. His parents were Franz and Anna Kozar.

Kozar began his professional life as Supervisor of correspondence lessons at Capbillion School in 1948. During this time period he was also secretary for the Sunnybrook Local of the United Farmers of Alberta. This position led him to attending the University of Alberta’s (U of A) Department of Agriculture Farm Young People’s Week. Through his experience Kozar developed an interest in studying botany in university.

In 1955 Kozar earned his Certificate in Counseling and Guidance at the U of A. He went on to receive several more degrees from the U of A including his Bachelor of Education in History and German in 1956 and his Bachelor of Arts in Sociology in 1963. He completed his degree through summer sessions, as he couldn’t afford university tuition. He taught at Strawberry School Division south-west of Edmonton during the school year to earn money. In 1967 he completed his M.Sc. and in 1969 Ph.D, both in Genetics. Kozar then moved to Peace County, Alberta and became the Chairman of Liberal Studies at Grande Prairie Regional College. Following this, Kozar took a position at Grant McEwan before becoming an Adjunct Professor at the U of A. During his career, he was also a consultant for the Alberta Department of Education.

He spent much of his career teaching youth throughout Alberta. From the years 1950 to 1989 he taught in both rural and urban Alberta grades 1 to 12 and was an instructor and adviser for high school art and camera clubs. From 1978 to 1980, he developed a self-study course for high school biology students, which was aired on Alberta’s educational television channel ACCESS.

Kozar was also a photographer, with his works being published in various newspapers and magazines. From 1953 to 1969 he worked as a photographer for the U of A’s Evergreen and Gold yearbook and the U of A’s Student Union newspaper the Gateway. Two of his photographs were featured by The Royal Academy of Art in Toronto in their Spectrum Canada exhibition.

Kozar was an Honourary Colonel 20 FD Regiment RCA, a Member of Order of Military Merit, an Officer of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem and a Knight of the Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem.

Kozar was married to Dolores and had two children, a daughter Arlene Ann and a son, Roy. Kozar passed away on February 19, 2005 in Edmonton at the age of 75.