UKL444 - Chair of Ukrainian Studies

One such journey was when he had obtained a Regan-Fascell Democracy Fellowship
and traveled to Washington, DC, as he prepared for his departure he said to me, “I
have to make sure that I have my family come and spend some time with me and
get to see things.” This attitude of travel did not stop with that trip. As I was
preparing for my departure from Ukraine last summer, Ilko was planning a trip for
his family through Europe by car. He was an avid driver, after getting his driver’s
license late in life and also had to meet with colleagues in Bratislava for a project so
he figured, why not make a family trip out it.
Over the last number of years, I had consulted for Ilko and his organization, and he
would often call me up on a Friday and say, “Bill, how about I pick you tomorrow
morning. The family is up at the dacha and we can join them. A swim, the fresh air,
it will help you think better, and we can put in a few hours of work on the project!”
The average Ukrainian probably never heard of Ilko Kucheriv but anyone who had
ever met him, talked with him, asked him for his opinion or advice knew that he was
passionate about what he did, and he was passionate for one single reason. He
wanted to make Ukraine and the world a better place, not just for himself, but also
for everyone.
Two weeks after I had received Ilko’s first little communiqué of thanks, the same
headstrong and positive Ilko Kucheriv made announcement via his organization’s
website. In it, he stated that he remains optimistic and shared with readers how he
had come to know of his condition, his recent trip to Indonesia for a conference that
I called beautiful and necessary. That conference was the Sixth Assembly of the
World Movement of Democracy and he stated he wanted to share the address of
President of Indonesia, the Honorable Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, with his Ukrainian
colleagues and he would publish the Ukrainian version soon. He closed with: “I feel
colossal support from people. They call me and write to me from Ukraine, Europe
and the United States…I am thankful to everyone. It is very important to me. None
of us knows how much time we have. Unconditionally, there was an overestimation
of all values and a personal value of time. I want to use this time in the most
effective and thought out way possible. I began to practice yoga like I did in the
1980s before Chornobyl, I go to church, I think about my work and my organization
and I believe, believe that people can and should change the world for the better. I
remain with you, and I am sincerely thankful. Ilko Kucheriv”.
Upon hearing the news of Ilko’s passing I immediately felt a loss. Incredibly the
feeling was one that I can only equate to the loss of my father that same year Ilko
completed his university studies over thirty years ago. Those who knew Ilko cried
out with one voice that Saturday evening, whether through statements on the
support page set up on Facebook, in e-mails or in long, tearful and necessary
telephone conversations of mourning.
I, together with everyone else who knew Ilko Kucheiv, will miss him immensely. May
the earth of your dear country Ukraine cradle you gently and may your soul and
spirit always be nearby to guide those who want the world to be a better place.