In
Memoriam VICTOR J. BYCZKIEWICZ, SR.
Passed away a year ago on August 27, 2003 in Miami Beach. Vic had resided for 40 years in Los Angeles, Ventura, and San Diego Counties. He was 72 years old.
A native of Long Island, New York, Vic graduated from Center Moriches High at 16 and on merit scholarship earned a BA in math and physics from Alfred University. He did graduate work at CSULA, UCLA, and USC. Of keen wit, searing intelligence, and seemingly effortless academic and technical ability, Vic was a voracious reader. His career as an aerospace engineer gave him greatest fulfillment during the 1960s and ‘70s when he played an integral role in launching the Apollo space shuttle missions. Befitting his gregarious character he contributed to multiple civic and professional organizations, including tenure as President of the National Estimating Society. Equally in his element as a sportsman, Vic played basketball, tennis, and golf and was awarded numerous trophies for his athletic prowess. He served on the roster of the U.S. Army baseball team in Germany during the Korean conflict and as a father coached a winning San Pedro little league team.
The LA aerospace industry layoffs in 1989 forced Vic into early retirement. Yet this enabled him to pursue independent historical research, with an emphasis on Polish American history. Proud of his roots, Vic was affiliated with several Polish American organizations, most prominently the Polish American Assn of San Diego. Vic is remembered as an articulate and charming persona who was comfortable with people from all walks of life. He was down-to-earth, caring, and generous to a fault. Divorced from his wife Stefanie of 27 years in 1984, he remained a devoted father. He is survived by three daughters, Donna Byczkiewicz and Ingrid Fauteux, both of San Diego, B. Victoria Byczkiewicz of Los Angeles, his son, Victor Jr. of Miami Beach, his sister Jane Monahan of Titusville, Florida and two grandchildren.
Donations in Vic’s honor can be made to the Polish American Heritage Group to sustain his website. See www.poloniasandiego.com for more information.