Two Friends Have Passed On Due to Cancer

It has been a long week.  On Sunday afternoon (July 22) I learned that my colleague and friend, Professor Kris Sikorski passed away.  He has been fighting the battle with cancer since last August (2011).  In trying to think of one word that captures Kris as a researcher, as an educator, as a fellow colleague, and as a friend—the word that comes to mind is sincere. Kris will indeed be truly missed.  Kris' memorial service was on Thursday evening, and a celebration mass was held on Friday (July 27).  Just before entering mass, I learned that my other friend who was fighting cancer, Dr. Bill Roberts passed away.  Bill had a classic "batman" character.  At work (i.e. "by day"), he was a brilliant researcher and scientist, overseeing a large pathology lab here at the U.  When not at work (i.e. "by night"), he was a devoted husband and father, and an avid outdoorsman.  My last memory of Bill was from about a month ago.  Even then, his body was weak from his fight with cancer.  He could hardly move, and spoke very little.  However, when his wife arrived home from church, he could her her voice … he smiled and said her name aloud.

Both Kris and Bill are no longer with us but with the Lord.  The will live on here though the lives of those with whom they interacted.  The will live through their impact on their children and students, both at the U and at their respective churches. Neither of them will be forgotten.