It is with great sadness that I write to tell you that our dear friend and CUBC member Bartosz Szczyrba passed away on Friday, July 8th, in his home town of Poznan, Poland. Earlier this year Bartosz was diagnosed with Lymphoma and, despite his typical determination to fight, he passed away. Bartosz was 29 years old.
Bartosz rowed in the 2008 Goldie crew. He studied Computer Speech, Text, and Internet Technology at Wolfson College in Cambridge. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Syracuse University, with a degree in Information Technology in 2007. I first met Bartosz in the spring of 2005 in Syracuse. He was two years removed from representing Poland in the 8+ at the World Championships and -- despite his dream of going to the Olympics -- he flew instead to America to attend Dowling College on Long Island.
He could not speak a word of English when he moved to America, but was determined to make a better life for himself and his family. He taught himself how to speak English by watching TV and working at a McDonald's. Bartosz transferred to Syracuse in the fall of 2005 and almost singlehandedly changed the culture of the team. When he told me he wanted to come to Cambridge I helped out as much as possible -- although he was upset that I failed to mention Wolfson was the most boring college in Cambridge. He liked to point out how he should have been at St. Edmund's with me.
In Cambridge, Bartosz was a very hard working guy who also liked to have fun. If his time management skills had been a little stronger he would have ridden his winning seat race results into the Blue Boat - but he madde the uncommon mistake of letting academics get in the way at the most crucial time. After Cambridge, Bartosz went to work for a bank in the computer technology division. He followed this up by founding a technology consulting company called Sowa (after his Polish nick name, "Owl"), where he helped establish trading platforms at banks.
Rest in peace Bartosz. You will be remembered for being determined against all odds, and for your willingness to put yourself into any situation against anyone. No qualities are more essential for rowing -- and, more importantly, for life. We will miss you dearly, and you are in our thoughts and prayers.
P to M
Dan O'Shaughnessy