Dr. Marion “Mun” Kostka, 75, of Morgantown, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family Aug. 16, 2021. He was born Sept. 21, 1945, to Anthony “Tony” Stanley Kostka and Mary Barbara Wojdyla Kostka in Steubenville, Ohio. Three days later, his parents made him a Mountaineer by taking him home to Weirton. There, Mun grew up on Elm Street, where his parents raised him with strong ties to his 100% Polish roots.
Mun was a member of the class of 1963 of Madonna High School. He attended West Virginia University and graduated in 1967. He was active in the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, where he held several offices, including fraternity president. During his master’s program in 1968, he was drafted into the Army. It was in the Army that Mun discovered his passion and skill for mental health while serving in the Mental Hygiene Unit of McDonald Army Hospital. Upon discharge, he returned to WVU to complete both his master’s and doctorate (Ed.D.) degrees by 1973.
Mun began his career as a psychologist at the West Virginia University Counseling and Psychological Service Center (now the Carruth Center) where he proudly served students for nearly 40 years. He became the primary mentor for countless interns who finished their professional training at the center.
Extending his support to new and returning students, Mun was instrumental in WVUp All Night and WVU Welcome Home Veterans. Mun also coordinated the ACT, various professional entrance exams and administered the General Education Degree (G.E.D).
Throughout his career, Mun was a member of national and state level professional organizations. He held positions as both president and coordinator of Continuing Education in the West Virginia Psychological Association (WVPA).
Mun had a particular passion for the use of clinical hypnosis. He managed the WVU Hypnosis Study Group and spearheaded an annual training workshop for medical and mental health professionals under the auspices of the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis for nearly
30 years.
Throughout this time, he maintained a small private psychological practice in Morgantown with his wife, Penny, for adults and couples.
Passionate about supporting the communities and natural resources of West Virginia, Mun was a longtime board member of the Rape and Domestic Violence Information Center (RDVIC) and a member of Trout Unlimited, where he was awarded the Silver Trout Award for his service. Mun joined St. John University Parish as an undergraduate and stayed active over the years, eventually serving on both Parish Council and Financial Council.
Mun was a talented craftsman and was involved with the Morgantown Craft Guild. Lovingly known as a Jack of All Trades, he was particularly passionate about and accomplished in woodworking, carpentry, pottery, gardening and beekeeping. His ceramics, woodworking projects, dry stone walls and landscapes are still enjoyed by his family and friends.
Mun was an enthusiastic WVU sports fan. In the Army, he listened to games on a transistor radio in an office closet — with a hot water heater as an antenna. He held season tickets in both the old and new stadiums and was recognized as the Extreme Fan, winning a dinner with then-coach Don Nehlen for himself and friends.
What little time Mun left for himself was spent with his fishing buddies and tomato plants.
Mun met and fell in love with Penny and her two little girls, in 1979. The couple married in 1982, with the girls’ blessing. They became partners for life and a strong extended family was born.
Mun was a beloved son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He is survived by his wife, Penny Buseman Kostka; daughters, Melissa Hornbeck and Bethany Hornbeck; sisters, Antoinette “Toni” Traeger, Cynthia Revay, and her spouse Joe; and nine grandchildren, Alanna, Hyland, Zane, Hannah, Xavier, Lane, Gabriel, Judah and Rowan. Mun’s warmth and caring will be missed by many. His dog, Stretch, will miss him, too.
A funeral mass will be held at St. John University Parish at 1 p.m. Sept. 4. Mass will be followed by a WVU game watch party at Tropics, as we all know Mun would be highly displeased if we missed a game on his account. A memorial service and celebration of life will be held at 2 Waterfront Place Sept. 5 from
1-2 p.m., followed by an open reception from 2-4 p.m. Both services will be live-streamed.
If you plan to attend any of the weekend’s events, please see more details on Mun’s page at www.hastingsfuneralhome.com, where we also welcome you to share a memory or anecdote or to send condolences. Mun’s favorite apparel, Hawaiian shirts and WVU gear, are encouraged.
Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the Morgantown RDVIC, P.O. Box 4228, Morgantown, WV 26504.
