Michael L Czechanski

I learned many things from Mike Cz - particularly CPR and emergency driving. His high standards and passion made us better people. He touched many lives. Thinking of you are this time of sorrow. Karil

SENDING WARM THOUGHTS OUT TO PATTY AND HIS FAMILY. MIKE WAS A GREAT GUY, VERY EASY TO LIKE. 11:00 WARM WATER THERAPY CLASS AT HARBOR ATHLETIC CLUB WILL NOT BE THE SAME. TODAY, WE ALL DID OUR FROG AND BIRD SOUNDS WITH TEARS IN OUR EYES BECAUSE IT WAS WHAT MIKE WOULD HAVE WANTED US TO DO. WE THEN GAVE OUT A TRADITIONAL WHOAAAAAAAAAAA! WHEN KATHY ASKED HOW WE WERE DOING. I KNOW WE WERE NOT FRIENDS AWAY FROM HARBOR, BUT I JUST GOT THIS WARM FEELING WHEN I WAS AROUND MIKE. MY HEART SANK TODAY AND I'VE NOT BEEN ABLE TO PICK MYSELF UP. BUT I KNOW I HAVE TO BECAUSE MIKE WOULD WANT THAT. R.I.P. MY FRIEND. DARRYL "D" DAVIS

Mike (or "Cz..." as he called himself) worked in the Cartography Lab on the UW campus in the late 60s, early 70s when I worked there. Cz... was a fun, understanding soul, so I have lots of treasured memories. Love to Patty and all the family. Peace, blessings, and HUGS! June (Sulli) Bennett

Our deepest sympathy to Patty and the family. You are in our thoughts and prayers for continued strength and healing. Polly and Joe Kraemer

To My Dad: It is with a heavy heart that I share in the sadness for the loss of my Dad. I feel blessed to have had over a year to come to terms with the realization that I was going to have to say good-bye to my Dad, when he was diagnosed with stage 4 highly metastatic prostate cancer. However, nothing can prepare you for the final letting go. How do you let go of a Patriarch of the family, which my Dad truly was. My dad was that unique combination of strong yet loving and kind, I don't think he ever judged anyone. He didn't need to be the center of attention, yet through his presence everyone knew when he was in the room! He had a strong conviction to be there for his family and the love and protection only a father can give was deeply felt. He was extremely generous with his time and talents, always there to help anyone and especially his family and me. One of my favorite memories was when I got my first apartment in college. Being the independent person I am, I purchased a dresser, borrowed his tools and put it together myself. When I competed it and the drawers were not closing. I called my Dad and that night he came downtown to take a look. Come to find out I didn't tighten the screws enough (probably stripped most of them) and he just smiled and finished the job for me! That was my Dad, he loved to help and we all loved the feeling of being taken cared of!! My Dad led by example and there are so many character traits I hope to keep alive from my Dad; he was patient and compassionate and really accepted people for who they are. He really lived in the present moment, let the past be in the past and took each day in stride. I don’t think he ever complained and put SOOOO much passion into EVERYTHING he did. Whether it was buying the whole bee-keepers gear to eradicate wasps that somehow managed to navigate into our basement or teaching defensive driving to EMT’s or making 5 different kinds of soup for our annual broomball party. He loved whatever activity he was immersed in the moment! He had a witty sense of humor with subtle jokes you had to pay close attention to in order to catch. One of my favorites, if ever anyone was putting something together and struggling... he would ask, "Did you RTFM?" said with a clever smile. He had some great one-liners that will be alive in me forever. One of my favorites, "You don't hate anything, you just dislike it immensely!" I am so grateful for my Dad, so grateful my Mom had such a wonderful man in her life. I will miss my Dad so deeply. He was loved beyond words and I know his protective and loving presence will be watching over us always.