Don. You’re going to have to reset those high scores because you’re never going to beat them. When Koz came over to my house for league night, he made a point of setting the high score on as many games as he could. It took him about two games to destroy my high score on BBB. On the other hand, he complimented my play and said that I could dominate the senior division at PAPA. I respected his conviction towards his opinions even when others disagreed with him. Later on, he mellowed some and became more willing to consider the opposite viewpoint. I will miss seeing him around.

so cliche at this point, but.....this year.......FU.
KOZ was a generous supplier of info to this newbie.
sad another giver is gone.

Was very surprised to hear this. I don't know how old Koz was, but I would guess he couldn't be much older than 45 or so, if that. Way too young to pass. We never met in person and our political views were polar opposite so lots of comments being exasperated about the other's views on Facebook, but he was one of the first people when I got into the hobby who added me from the pinball community and was always an excellent cheerleader and promoter of the game. RIP man.

Koz loved to stop over and put up GCs on as many games as he could. One particular day he wanted to complete the spider awards on Scared Stiff. It was the only time I ever saw it completed. Unfortunately I sold the game a few years ago, but I'm sure that score is still on that game.

Here are a few GC scores he put up the last time he was over. I'm sure there are others on my games.

His memory will live on forever as a friend and player. RIP KOZ.

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We had a similar experience when we were techs for one of the MPE shows. We spent a ton of time working on his games .

I was very shocked to hear this. Especially since he was so young and in pretty good shape. We spent a lot of time talking to Koz over the years. He will be missed.

I first encountered Koz on RGP back in the day. I first met him at a Kalamazoo show and hit it off. I helped his team check out and adjust games for the first Pinbrawl as well as scorekeeper at numerous tournaments (Flip Out, MPE etc.) Looking back at PAPA C in 2006 I am reminded of his help. I was in a 2 player tie-break on Surf N Safari against another player (Not Koz as he was not a "C" player lol). The tie break winner plays in the top 4 and is in the money and trophy group. 2nd place in the tiebreaker went home. He asked me if I knew how to play SnS. I said no. He explained very casually where the points are earned and what to do in a high pressure tourney game. Thanks Koz. I need to go down and touch that trophy as a tribute to Koz. The guy knew his rulesets!!

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Being an old-timey-pinball-collector myself, I also met KOZ on rec.games.pinball (many, many, many years ago). We had a number of excellent conversations over the years. He also came down for a couple of my old pinball parties in the mid-2000's.

R.I.P. KOZ.

PHOTO: 2005 Pinball Party!

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Just read through the thread.

I didn't know the man, but everyone's cherished memories help me feel a little like I did.

He sounded like a genuine, forthright, and giving human being.

Rest in peace KOZ.

I knew john well enough that I took the entire week off whenever he had the michigan expo at oakland university and put in about 60+ years for 4 years straight.
we roomed together one of the first years that I attended to the chicago expo. thank god that was when I was still hitting the bottle rather heavily. his sleep apnea was so loud that my headphones couldn't drown out that snoring lesson learned and I drank myself into a deep slumber the remainder of the show weekend

thoughts and prayers to his wife natalie and their kids

A Go Fund Me for John has been setup as a scholarship fund for his kids, link below.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/scholarship-fund-for-the-children-of-john-kosmal

Just wanted to necro this thread, so bummed I missed this as I had no idea John had passed away. I met him at Expo in 2000 and had many lively chats on RGP around the same time. He was one of a kind. I got to see his insane multi-ball skills up close and personal playing H2H with him on a CV at that show, and needless to say he wiped the floor with me. I'd say that session and watching Lyman doing endless 3 way combos on Dr. Who at the same show were highlights I will never forget.

There is indeed, no spoon. Happy trails brother...