John Garstka

Message from the President

Jan. 13, 2014

Dear LMU Community:

It is with sadness that I inform you of the unexpected death of John Garstka, emeritus professor of accounting in the College of Business Administration.  John, who was 82 years old, passed away over the weekend of complications following an earlier surgery.  

John joined LMU in 1980 in CBA’s accounting department and was an associate professor when he retired in 1995.  Before coming to LMU, he had served 24 years in the U.S. Air Force, rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel.  During that time, he was detachment commander of the Air Force ROTC on campus for a term.

John and his late wife, Pauline, showed their commitment to future generations of LMU students by establishing the John A. Garstka Air Force ROTC Endowed Scholarship and the John A. Garstka Endowed Accounting Scholarship.  He also served as president of the Heritage Association of retired faculty and staff and chaired monthly meetings in University Hall of the Polish Historical Society.

A viewing will take place Friday, Jan. 24, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., followed by a rosary service, at Holy Cross Mortuary, 5835 W. Slauson Ave., Culver City, CA 90230.  A Celebration of Life Mass will take place Saturday, Jan. 25, at 10 a.m. at Visitation Church, 6561 W. 88th St., Los Angeles, CA 90045, with a reception to follow. Internment with full military honors will take place Saturday at 2:15 p.m. at Holy Cross Cemetery, 5835 W Slauson Ave., Culver City, CA 90230.  In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made in John’s memory to: Loyola Marymount University, Attn: Alma Vorst, 1 LMU Drive, Suite 2800, Los Angeles CA 90045.  

He is survived by five children and sixteen grandchildren.

John was a valued member of our community who will be greatly missed by those who knew him.

Please keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers.
 

Sincerely,

David W. Burcham
President