Rev. Ronald J. Wasowski, C.S.C., associate professor of Environmental Science, passed away unexpectedly the evening of December 5, 2016 at the age of 70; in phased retirement and his last year of classroom teaching. At UP since 1998, offering general and upper division science courses, and contributing to student life as Mehling Hall Pastoral Resident, Voice for Life Chaplain, and more.
Which sounds sort of ordinary, maybe even dull. How about this? For the past three years, Fr. Wasowski was part of the University of Portland archaeological team, the Pollentia expedition, spending part of each summer in Mallorca, Spain. The excavation is uncovering a Roman-era city. Fr. Wasowski’s contribution to the team was the use of drones in Archaeology (tracing the outlines of city-walls, building foundations, and streets from the air), and nick-named “Father Drone” by expedition colleagues. He flew drones and taught classes where students spend class-time and homework FLYING camera-drones. Helicopter camera-drones, all too cool for the catalogue, where the course title is listed as ENV 384 / BIO 384 / CE 458 Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems, listed within the academic degree concentration Quantitative and Spatial Methods, which also requires course-work in Vector Calculus and Ordinary Differential Equations (bring on the drone lab).
He also knew far too much about rocks, minerals, meteor showers, and regular weather. Sharing enthusiasm and abiding inquiry with students and friends both.
Fr. Wasowski taught at the University of Notre Dame, King’s College, Wilkes-Barre, and the University of Portland, earning tenure twice (he departed Notre Dame when their Earth Sciences/Geology program folded).
Clark Library Digital Collection about the 2015 Pollentia Expedition
http://up.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/landingpage/collection/p16472coll4
Fr. Ron Wasowski’s Aerial Photography – 2015 Pollentia Expedition
http://up.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/search/collection/p16472coll4/searchterm/Aerial%20Photography/field/subjec/mode/all/conn/and/order/nosort
Photo gallery, click to enlarge images
Fr. Michael Belinsky, CSC says
December 13, 2016 at 3:54 pmVery nice to see!
Simon Aihiokhai says
December 13, 2016 at 4:31 pmEvery morning I have the honor of sharing the elevator with Fr. Ron as we both proceed to our respective offices. He always had a cheerful demeanor, ever willing to share a joke with me. I will miss all that. Rest in the Lord Fr. Ron.
Jose Vazquez says
December 13, 2016 at 7:26 pmI had the opportunity to cross some communication with Fr. Wasowski either in his office at the Math department or along Physics Lab corridors or cheer smiles across the campus. His voice made you feel welcome and in peace. He will be missed here within us but the heavens are in joy to have him back.
Marlene Moore says
December 13, 2016 at 8:08 pmThank you for putting together this tribute that reflects both his dedication and sense of humor. My life was enriched by his presence and he will be greatly missed.
David Tyson, CSC says
December 13, 2016 at 8:21 pmThanks for a comprehensive presentation of Ron’s many contributions of Ron to UP. He embodied the mission on many fronts.
Thos Streit csc says
December 14, 2016 at 6:14 amVery nice to know of all this; and great to see especially that last photo, with Ron’s gentle “perma-smile” so evident.
Curt Pederson says
December 14, 2016 at 6:46 amWhen in the hospital several times this past year, Fr. Ron was often there to offer prayer, communion and comfort my family. He always left me with such positive feeling and hope. The day of of first surgery he had his class stop and pray for me, it worked!
He will be missed.
Tess O'Neill says
December 14, 2016 at 8:34 amI met Ron in 2005 at the International Spirituality Session in Le Mans and he quickly became a good friend. He would visit me & my family in New Orleans every October during the Fall Break from 2005 to this past October where he’d check the levee progress post-Katrina and Ivan. Ron also annually visited with the local levee boards here to go on trips to check the status of the pumping systems. I had the fortune of being with him this past summer in Pollentia and watched his drone work. Ron was an amazing person and became part of my family. We will miss him tremendously. Thank you for sharing these wonderful pictures and providing a summary of a “life well lived.” His gentle humor and desire to serve others has come through in what was written above.
Rich Gritta says
December 14, 2016 at 7:53 pmI loved talking with Fr. Ron. He was/is one of my favorite CSCs at UP. He is filling in the gaps of knowledge right now in Heaven. Kind, gentle and humble, he was a role model for me.
Rest in Peace, my good friend. I really miss you.
Sr. Ann Martinez, MSC says
December 15, 2016 at 9:30 amI will miss Fr. Ron’s visit to New Orleans during his fall break. He came to see Father Tom Chambers whenever he came to town and they enjoyed a lunch or dinner together.
May he rest in peace. He will be missed.
Sr. Ann Martinez, MSC
Fr. James Connelly, C.S.C. says
December 15, 2016 at 12:21 pmThanks so much for this tribute to Fr, Ron, a good friend and longtime colleague.
Bob Butler says
January 25, 2017 at 9:38 amFr. Ron was a dear friend and one of my closest colleagues at the university. My highlights of working with Ron include developing our Columbia Gorge Field Trip for the Earth System Science class and building the case to establish the Environmental Studies Department. Ron was the most kindhearted colleague I ever had the pleasure to work with during my 42 years as a college professor. He will be greatly missed.
Zia A. yamayee says
April 17, 2017 at 4:14 pmThanks for the wonderful tribute to Fr. Ron. The last conversation I had with Ron was about his upcoming retirement at the end of May 2017. He was so looking forward to spending time in the Grand Canyon area. I am sorry he left before we got a chance to celebrate our retirement together. I always enjoyed his good nature and miss our interactions, specially in the lunch room. May his soul rest in peace. Zia