Lifetime Legend – George Mihalcik
RecognizeGood lost a dear friend this summer, our longtime program director George Mihalcik. George was RecognizeGood’s original spokesperson in the community, and presented exactly 100 volunteer Legend ceremonies in his ten years with our foundation. A military man with a knack for precision, we know George appreciated that round number.
“George was a true friend, more like family,” says executive director Joel Coffman. “We worked with his wife, and his kids. He had a way of making people feel appreciated in an official and dignified way. The last phone conversation we had was from his hospital bed, where he noticed a group of therapy dogs brightening everyone’s spirits, and he asked me to make sure we spotlight their inspiring work – RecognizeGood was not a job for him, but something he lived all the time.”
George was honored by the United States Air Force with full military honors at his home parish at Emmaus Catholic Church in Lakeway, TX. His family asked that in lieu of flowers, donations in his honor be made to RecognizeGood.
George Mihalcik: January 6, 1951 – July 19, 2025
Lt. Colonel George Francis Mihalcik (USAF Ret.) passed away on July 19, 2025, in Lakeway, Texas, at the age of 74, after a hard-fought battle with chemotherapy treatment.
George was born on January 6, 1951, in Homer City, Pennsylvania, to John and Eleanor Mihalcik. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and began his career teaching high school English in Baltimore County. There, alongside his good friend Mike Rowzalski, he began officiating football—a passion he pursued for over 50 years at the high school, college, and USAFE levels. Later in life, he also became a soccer official.
George joined the U.S. Air Force on October 24, 1978. He served as the Training Commander of Officer Training School (OTS) in San Antonio for four years, where he also began flying single-engine planes and volunteered for Life Flights. He earned his instructor pilot rating and was a long-time member of the Civil Air Patrol. Over his 25-year military career, he contributed to a wide range of initiatives—from working on the NATO dictionary to helping transition the Air Force to paperless, digitally signable forms. While stationed at Bolling AFB, he pitched for the team that won the base softball championship in 1986.
George cherished his time in the Air Force and the many friendships he formed along the way. During his years at the Pentagon, he met and married the love of his life, Lisa. They were married for 39 years and raised three daughters: Jewel (Andy), Jess (Michael), and Sarah (Jordan). He was also a proud grandfather to three granddaughters: Emilia, Elise, and Elizabeth.
A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, George led by example—showing his family how to be kind, caring, and hardworking. He never missed a game, tournament, or recital, and worked tirelessly to support his children’s success. Family was always his top priority.
After retiring as a lieutenant colonel in 2003, George continued to lead and inspire—both within his family and on the football and soccer fields. He founded his own consulting business and worked with the charitable organization Recognize Good, celebrating acts of kindness and generosity in everyday life.
George was also a creative and musically inclined soul. A self-taught guitarist and electric bass player, he took up piano after the age of 65. He was the oldest “kid” in the Emmaus youth choir, where his daughter Jess sang for several years. His musical tastes spanned from classical and jazz to country.
George’s legacy is one of kindness, humor, and quiet strength. He found joy in life’s simple pleasures—sitting on the back patio with music playing and a good Manhattan in hand. His memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.
