Christopher James Usinowicz |
| Posted 2009-07-25 by Sharla |
| Christopher James Usinowicz, a former resident of Lake Havasu City, died November 14th, 2002, at his residence in Pearland, Texas, He was 24. At the time of his , he was a graduate student pursuing a Ph.D. at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, specializing in molecular biology. He was born July 7th, 1978, at Navapache Hospital, Lakeside, Arizona, then moved with his family to Lake Havasu City in 1986 at age 8. He attended Starline Elementary School and was enrolled in its gifted program, then attended Lake Havasu Junior High School. He graduated in the Top 10 in the Class of 1996, Lake Havasu High School. While in high school, he was a member of the Lake Havasu Band of Knights, playing the alto saxophone. He was a member of the Boy Scout Troop 25 and earned the rank of Eagle Scout. Christopher was accepted on scholarship to William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri., and while there was inducted to the Lamba Chi Alpha Fraternity. He spent his junior year at Cambridge University, Cambridge, England, where in addition to his studies he rowed for his college (Homerton) aboard a winning boat, eight men and coxswain, on the River Cam. He graduated from William Jewell, summa cum laude, with a Bachelor of Science degree in 2000, as the 14, 999th degree candidate from that liberal arts college. He was subsequently recruited by Baylor College of Medicine and entered that institution's Ph.D. candidates program that same year. He was knowm among his family members for his determination in pursuit of success. In high school, he wrestled on the JV Team for a week with a broken collarbone before he finally gave into the pain. When he was struck by a vehicle while riding his bicycle to class early one morning this past summer he was so intense that even after he picked himself off the street, his helmet having broken the windshield, he reminded the driver that the light was red. He picked his crumpled bike and walked the remaining half-mile to Baylor. As he did, he told the driver, pointing to the bike, "You're paying for this!" He enjoyed creating DNA strands in test tubes at the kitchen counter to explain science to his family, and he like difficult puzzles, scientific skepticism and math problems. He was also known for his wry, complex sense of humor; his writing ability; and his love of literature and books. He could explain the principle of the singularity of black holes in the universe at a level his parents could understand. It wasn't unusual for him to work through the night on an experiment in his research laboratory. He acquired a taste for craft beers, observing with his shy smile that his student budget didn't permit him to be a wine expert. Guinness was among his favorites. He also took up the Irish tin whistle, and during long traffic delays in Houston, he would pull one of a growing collection of whistles from a side compartment of his car and practice Celtic folk songs until the traffic light turned green. He loved music and extended auto trips anywhere, and his hobbies included backpacking, hiking and camping. Christopher is survived by his mother, Brenda Adkins, father, Stan Usinowicz and stepfather, John Adkins; all of Lake Havasu City; a sister, Dawn, Suprise, Arizona; a brother, Paul, Flagstaff; a stepsister, Erin Caplin, Denver; a grandmother, Ethel Hunter, Lake Havasu City; and three nieces, Brittney, Kirsten and Taylor of Suprise. A service will be conducted Tuesday, November 19th, at 10:00 a.m. at Calvary Baptist Church, 1605 McCulloch Blvd. S., with pastor Chad Garrison officiating. Burial will follow at Lake Havasu Memorial Gardens. Friends who wish may make memorial contributions to the Lake Havasu High School Music Department, Lake Havasu Unified School District No.1, 2200 Havasupai Blvd., Lake Havasu City, Arizona 86403. Arrangements were made by Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home. (Obit: Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home, Lake Havasu City, AZ) See Also: Find A Grave |
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