Gregory C. Kozlowski, 55, of Lombard, a professor for 22 years at DePaul University whose gregarious nature helped open up the complex subjects of South Asia and Islamic history, died Wednesday, May 29, in Evanston Hospital of pneumonia. A prolific researcher with a deft understanding of the Asian subcontinent, Mr. Kozlowski wrote one book, “Muslim Endowments and Society in British India,” and more than 100 articles for periodicals and encyclopedias. He was working on two books about Islamic philanthropy. Fluent in several languages, Mr. Kozlowski appeared numerous times as an Islamic expert on WTTW-Ch. 11’s “Chicago Tonight.” While his love was research, Mr. Kozlowski devoted much of his time to teaching history courses at DePaul. “He was one of the most popular teachers we had, and he could get students interested in some of the driest topics,” said Rev. Thomas Croak, a friend and associate professor of history at DePaul. Born and raised in Milwaukee, Mr. Kozlowski enrolled as a teenager in a Catholic seminary but left before becoming a priest. He earned a bachelor’s in theology from Loyola University, a master’s in world religions from the University of Iowa and a doctorate in Islamic history from the University of Minnesota. Mr. Kozlowski is survived by three daughters, Renee, Rebecca and Charlotte; a son, Nathaniel; his father, Leonard; and two brothers, Michael and Tim. Services have been held.
