Walt Bajek - 1975 ISA President
I received some sad news this week. Walt Bajek, the 1975 ISA President, passed away. Being from District 6, I had the fortunate opportunity to know and work with Walt for many years. He was probably one of the first Society leaders, and through his fierce dedication to this Society, he drew me to being an active ISA leader. I will forever be indebted to him for that. Walt has to be among my group of most cherished mentors.
Walt Bajek was an interesting fellow. He never hesitated to speak up at meetings with his position or opinion about things being done for ISA. He was a direct sort of person. He rarely parsed his words but would come right out and tell you face-to-face that you might want to rethink your position. As a long time college professor, I greatly appreciate that characteristic in people. So many times, issues or problems are based in spin to a point where the actual solution can never be reached. Walt was not a spinner.
Walt Bajek was a highly dedicated ISA Member. No matter where the meeting was held, he would always be in attendance. Even in his last years, he would always be at ISA functions. I had the opportunity to speak to a Chicago and Will-Dupage Section meeting recently. My sincere hope was that Walt would be in attendance. One of the Members mentioned that Walt was not doing well and that he would be unable to attend. After hearing that, I had a few moments to myself to remember Walt and what he meant to me. I am thankful for my memories of Walt Bajek.
I know Walt is looking down on us. He is watching that we continue to move the Society that he loved forward into the future. Walt Bajek holds a special place in my heart. As I continue my time as president, I hope that everything that I do this year reflects well on those that came before me, especially Walt Bajek.
May he rest in peace!
Jerry Cockrell
Walt Bajek was an interesting fellow. He never hesitated to speak up at meetings with his position or opinion about things being done for ISA. He was a direct sort of person. He rarely parsed his words but would come right out and tell you face-to-face that you might want to rethink your position. As a long time college professor, I greatly appreciate that characteristic in people. So many times, issues or problems are based in spin to a point where the actual solution can never be reached. Walt was not a spinner.
Walt Bajek was a highly dedicated ISA Member. No matter where the meeting was held, he would always be in attendance. Even in his last years, he would always be at ISA functions. I had the opportunity to speak to a Chicago and Will-Dupage Section meeting recently. My sincere hope was that Walt would be in attendance. One of the Members mentioned that Walt was not doing well and that he would be unable to attend. After hearing that, I had a few moments to myself to remember Walt and what he meant to me. I am thankful for my memories of Walt Bajek.
I know Walt is looking down on us. He is watching that we continue to move the Society that he loved forward into the future. Walt Bajek holds a special place in my heart. As I continue my time as president, I hope that everything that I do this year reflects well on those that came before me, especially Walt Bajek.
May he rest in peace!
Jerry Cockrell
posted by ISA at
8:35 AM
1 Comments:
Thank you for posting this 'in-memoriam' notice; Walt was well known and well liked by many outside the ISA family for his efforts in the international scene to promote cooperation between the worlds engineers and scientists. He worked vigorously for many years in the councils of the International Measurement Federation (IMEKO)trying and often succeeding in herding the cats of academe to talk with the dogs of industry. The world is poorer for his departure, but richer for his life. He was a good friend to many of us.
Ian H. Gibson
one-time IMEKO councillor from Australia
FIICA, Life Sr Member ISA
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