NFCA Fraternal Section Secretary/Treasurer Dies

12/30/05

The NFCA is very sad to report that Allan (Al) R. Kath, Communications and Membership Benefits Manager of the American Slovenian Catholic Union (KSKJ) of Joliet, IL, passed away yesterday afternoon, December 29, 2005. He had been hospitalized for about a week.

Al most recently served as Secretary-Treasurer of the NFCA Fraternal Section. He had also served on the former NFCA Public Relations Committee from 1997 to 2000.

Prior to joining KSKJ in 2001, he was vice president for Fraternal Communications at Western Catholic Union. He served as public relations director for Quincy University and Heidelberg College and as a special investigative reporter, beat reporter, sports and writer-editor for the Oshkosh Northwestern newspaper. Al was a community volunteer for most of his life, serving as president for a local chapter of Habitat for Humanity, president of the Quincy Area Advisory Board for Catholic Charities, and in various fundraising activities sponsored by area YMCAs and Catholic Youth Organizations. He was active in the Exchange Club chapters and coached YMCA and CYO youth basketball teams.

A wake will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, January 1, 2006, at Tezak Funeral Home, 1211 Plainfield Road, Joliet, Ill. A funeral mass will take place at 10 a.m. on Monday, January 2, at Cathedral of St. Raymond's, 604 Raynor Avenue, Joliet. Grave side services will take place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Monday afternoon.

Our hearts go out to Al's wife, Sandra, his daughter, Heather, and son, Ryan, and his co-workers at KSKJ. Al's spirit, enthusiasm and dedication to the fraternal benefit system were unparalleled. He will be greatly missed.