Announcements

Dr. Michael J. Kocurek passed away peacefully on May 26, 2026, surrounded by his family and under the care of hospice. Founder of the Paper Science Department at the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point in 1970 and Professor Emeritus of Paper Science and Engineering at North Carolina State University, Michael was one of the world’s most recognized educators in the pulp and paper industry.

Michael was born in New York City on January 6, 1943, to the late Michael Joseph Kocurek, Sr., and late Celestine Rutkowski Kocurek. He often regaled his friends and family with tales of growing up in Manhattan, delivering flowers by bicycle and spending countless childhood hours exploring the Museum of National History, where he discovered new worlds, gained a yearning to travel, and developed a lifelong affinity for the museum’s enduring collection of animals and fossils, including the giant T-Rex skeleton he nicknamed Cecil.

Michael received his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in Chemical Engineering with a specialization in Paper Science and Engineering at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry and at Syracuse University, where he was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE). He developed a love for carrying a pipe, so his fraternity brothers called him “Smokey,” the first of many nicknames bestowed upon him over the years by those close to him.

Michael met his wife, Margaret Carroll (Hatton) Kocurek and recalled that he fell in love at first sight. They were married and raised three children together.

During his illustrious career, Michael taught over 6,500 industry operators and professionals across more than 200 paper mills and 50 organizations including the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency. In addition to teaching undergraduate and graduate students since 1970, all of whom affectionally called Michael “Doc,” he developed numerous pulp and paper e-learning courses for the National Science Foundation at Coastal Alabama University.

Michael founded the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point Paper Science and Chemical Engineering Foundation in 1974. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization which promotes and receives philanthropic gifts to provide scholarships to support students in the Paper Science Program at UWSP.

A lifelong member of the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI), he taught TAPPI’s oldest and most highly ranked course, “Introduction to Pulp and Paper,” for 51 years, being awarded by TAPPI for the same. He authored 25 video publications covering the entire field of pulp and paper and was the editor of over 10 books, including the definitive Pulp and Paper Manufacture series.

His honors include TAPPI Fellow (a distinction bestowed upon one percent of the Paper Science industry) , TAPPI Distinguished Service Award, TAPPI Paper and Board Division Technical Achievement Award, and induction into the prestigious and exclusive Paper Industry International Hall of Fame—an honor bestowed upon less than 150 people worldwide to recognize those who have made preeminent contributions to the global paper industry.

Retirement from NC State found Margaret and Michael on Hilton Head Island and, later, in Bluffton, South Carolina, enjoying the weather, books, and travel. An avid and lifelong shell collector, many trips to the Caribbean added to his treasures. Michael was a self-proclaimed “gourmet glutton,” enjoyed a good movie score, and loved science fiction, especially Star Wars and Star Trek, ending many a speech with his favorite blessing, “Live long and prosper,” complete with the Vulcan salute.

He is predeceased by his parents and his wife of 55 years, Margaret Carroll (Hatton) Kocurek, and is survived by his sister Joan Ruckel (Bob), New York; his brother Tom Kocurek (Karen), Texas; his daughters Monica Gilroy (Peter) and Anne Margaret Kelly (Henry), Atlanta, Georgia; his son Mike (Zack), Brooklyn, New York; and three grandchildren whom he adored and who adored him.

The family, and Michael, wish to thank the friends and staff who nicknamed him "Professor" at his Senior Living residence during his final years for their kindness and love.

A private family service will be held.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Foundation, specifically to the Margaret & Michael Kocurek Endowment, at www.papersciencefoundation.org.