Dr. Reinald Joseph "Ren" Kozikowski, 78, passed away on August 1, 2025, in St. Louis, Missouri. A devoted physician, loving husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, and a man of boundless curiosity and humor, Ren left an indelible mark on the lives of his family, patients, and all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Born on November 9, 1946, in New Kensington, Pennsylvania, Ren's vibrant spirit was evident from an early age. A proud graduate of Pineville High School in 1964, he went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts from Louisiana Polytechnic Institute in 1969. While there, he was inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi National Honorary Scholastic Society—an early testament to his academic brilliance.

Ren pursued his medical degree at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School from 1969 to 1974. After becoming a doctor in 1974, he dedicated over five decades to emergency medicine in the St. Louis area and American Southwest. Known affectionately as "Dr. Koz" by patients and colleagues alike, he served at several major hospitals including St. Louis University Hospital, DePaul Hospital, Barnes Jewish West County Hospital, Incarnate Word Hospital, and Crown Point Healthcare Facility.

His leadership roles were numerous and impactful: Medical Director at Incarnate Word Hospital's Department of Emergency Medicine (1983–1984), Associate Director of Emergency Medicine at St. Louis University Hospital (1996–2005), and Director of the Emergency Department at Barnes Jewish West County Hospital (1999–2004). In 1988, Ren completed a prestigious Fellowship in Hyperbaric Medicine at the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems at the Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore and became Associate Director there the following year.

Despite his demanding career, Ren never let his professional life overshadow his devotion to family. He met the love of his life, Susan Kozikowski, at DePaul Hospital in 1981—he an ER physician and she a pediatric nurse. Their love story began with laughter and romantic gestures and blossomed into a marriage that lasted 42 years. Together they raised four daughters: Stephanie Kozikowski (Peter Casey), Chelsea Kozikowski (Brett Yancey), Renée Kozikowski, and Suzanne Kozikowski. His grandchildren Roman Yancey, Cullen Yancey, and Rosalie Casey brought him immense joy.

Ren's commitment to family was unwavering. Even while working multiple hospital shifts, he never missed a single school assembly or recital for his daughters—a legacy of presence that will be cherished forever.

In his youth, Ren was known for his mischievous streak—playing science pranks on classmates and catching frogs and snakes with glee. His love for storytelling emerged during college when he played the Reverend in Arthur Miller's *The Crucible*, sparking a lifelong passion for theatre. At 63 years-old, he returned to the stage for a Saint Louis University production of "The Good Person of Szechwan." He later wrote his own play titled *Third World Nation*, loosely inspired by his life experiences.

A true patron of the arts, Ren shared countless memories with his wife and daughters attending performances at The Fox Theatre, The Muny, The Gaslight Theatre, and The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis. He encouraged creativity in all forms—whether urging loved ones to pursue their artistic dreams or suggesting a spontaneous double feature at the movie theater.

Ren's interests were as diverse as they were deep: he had a photographic memory and excelled at chess and bridge; was a certified scuba diver, and he could be found playing Dr. Mario on Nintendo or singing along to Kenny Rogers, Queen, or Tom Lehrer during family road trips. He introduced his daughters to cult classics like *The Rocky Horror Picture Show*, *The Terminator*, and *Rudy*, even returning to school later in life to take film classes.

He is remembered with love by his wife Susan; daughters Stephanie, Chelsea, Renée, and Suzanne; grandchildren Roman Yancey, Cullen Yancey, and Rosalie Casey; siblings Richard Kozikowski, Leroy Artman, Billy Elliot, Sharon Badour, and Kenny Elliot.

He was preceded in death by his father Reinald V. Kozikowski, mother Faith Elliott, brother Gene Davis and sister Gay Vanlandingham.

Ren was truly a Renaissance man—brilliant yet humble; compassionate yet fiercely witty; a healer by profession but an artist at heart. His legacy lives on through every life he touched—with care in the ER or laughter around the dinner table. May his memory bring comfort to those who knew him and inspiration to those who carry forward his boundless spirit.

A Visitation will be held on August 6, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, followed by a prayer service from 12:00 to 12:30 pm at Collier's Funeral Home 3400 N Lindbergh Blvd.