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Police: UNL professor died of natural causes

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By HILARY KINDSCHUH and MELISSA LEE / Lincoln Journal Star

Monday, Dec 03, 2007 - 01:20:40 pm CST

A University of Nebraska-Lincoln chemistry professor found dead in his car on campus late Saturday morning died of natural causes, authorities said.

A passerby discovered John Stezowski, 65, in a green Volkswagen parked in a lot near 14th and Vine streets, said UNL Police Capt. Carl Oestmann.

It appears Stezowski had been in the vehicle overnight.

Story Photo
John Stezowski (Courtesy of UNL)

An autopsy on Monday determined his death was natural, Oestmann said.

“The university community is shocked and saddened by the loss of their colleague and he will be missed,” Oestmann said.

Professor Stephen DiMagno and James Takacs, the chair of the chemistry department, met with Stezowski’s Chemistry 251 class Monday morning, along with UNL Counseling and Psychological Services, Oestmann said in a news release.

DiMagno will take over that class for the rest of the semester.

Stezowski also had been working with two graduate students, said UNL spokeswoman Kelly Bartling. Those students now must find another faculty member to guide their research, she said.

Bartling said Takacs described Stezowski as “very well thought of in the department and nationally.”

A UNL chemistry department faculty member since 1991, Stezowski’s research and teaching focused on crystallography and the nature of how molecules interact.

Stezowski had published work on crystallography and was excited about his research, according to Takacs.

Stezowski also was an accomplished chef, Bartling said, and often brought samples in for his colleagues.

He was an avid Husker volleyball fan and likely had planned to attend this weekend’s NCAA matches, Bartling said.

Stezowski has parents who live locally and a sibling who does not live in Lincoln, Bartling said.

“The most striking thing about Dr. Stezowski was his infectious smile,” Bartling said. “(Takacs) remarked that that will be the thing that his colleagues will miss most.”

Reach Hilary Kindschuh at 473-7120 or hkindschuh@journalstar.com. Reach Melissa Lee at 473-2682 or mlee@journalstar.com.


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Gerard Harbison wrote on December 3, 2007 12:45 pm:
" John Stezowski was a good colleague and a decent human being. He will be missed by all of us who had the good fortune to work with him. "

 omnione wrote on December 3, 2007 1:07 pm:
" Dr. Stezowski was one of my professors and he wrote a letter of recommendation that would help me get into pharmacy school. I am also shocked about this loss. "

 pn wrote on December 3, 2007 1:15 pm:
" Dr. Stezowski was an inspiring professor and welcoming person. There are many students whom he encouraged through the years and are thankful for his influence. He will be greatly missed. "

 TL wrote on December 3, 2007 4:11 pm:
" As an undergrad who has been working in his lab this semester, I can say that the world has truly lost someone who will be greatly missed. "

 Tonya wrote on December 3, 2007 4:46 pm:
" As a student worker in the Chemistry Dept., I always felt welcomed by a very friendly Dr. Stezowski. "

 Nathan Hood wrote on December 3, 2007 6:19 pm:
" As one of his former graduate students, I can say that the University and the crystallography communities have both lost a valued colleague and friend. "

 student wrote on December 3, 2007 8:31 pm:
" Dr. J Stezowski was a great inspiration, friend, and mentor. His compassionate smile and jolly demeanor will be greatly missed. I believe I lost one of the most sincere, intelligent, and cheerful friends that I will ever know. "

 NN wrote on December 3, 2007 8:56 pm:
" Dr. Stezowski was a nice professor, smart and friendly.. He will be missed deeply in our hearts.. Blessing to him in the heaven.. "

 Tom Brett wrote on December 3, 2007 9:36 pm:
" I was lucky enough to be one of John's graduate students. The great ones teach you more through example than through lessons. John was one of the great ones, but he could also prepare one great lessons. I left Lincoln years ago, but we would frequently meet during the holidays. As everyone will, I'm gonna miss the guy. "

 TD wrote on December 3, 2007 10:51 pm:
" Dr. Stezowski was my organic chemistry professor, and I worked in his lab for his research project, which I realy enjoyed a lot. He also wrote a recommendation letter for me to get into a PA school. I wrote him my update a few weeks ago, and he wrote me back last week, saying, "you should stop by at my office sometime." I regret so much that I didn't. I'm greatly shocked about this loss, too. "

 Karl Brose wrote on December 4, 2007 1:52 am:
" As a doctoral graduate of the department I came to know and rely on John Stezowski's research work for my own dissertation long before he joined the chemistry faculty and was delighted to learn of his arrival there. It causes great sorrow to hear that his great inspiring human nature and his scientific creativity have been cut short so early. He was a great teacher and colleague. "

 YY wrote on December 4, 2007 11:01 am:
" Dr Stezowski was my Organic Chemistry professor. Even though he had a few hundred of students in that class, he always welcome student to see him if we had any questions. He was always with a big smile and made me feel comfortable. He never turn away my request for recommendation letter even with a very short notice. I will always remember him and his influences on me. "

 Janki V Sharma wrote on December 4, 2007 7:39 pm:
" Dr.Stezowski was a good teacher, and very nice person. He will be missed heartly. "

 Peter Goebel, San Diego wrote on December 5, 2007 2:45 am:
" I was shocked when I had heard about the sudden passing away of Dr. John Stezowski. I can safely assume that I had known Dr. Stezowski longer than pretty much any person at UNL. I was his first graduate student when he joined UNL faculty in ’91 and I was his last grad student at the University in Stuttgart. I have known John Stezowski for more than 20 years and he was a great inspiration to me and the driving force I came to this country in 1991. I first met him as a second year undergraduate in Stuttgart and had the pleasure to work in his lab and in close proximity to John for many years. In all that time he was always easily approachable and he always had a smile for everyone. One of the many things I mostly remember about him was the unique environment he tried to create in his group. Members of the group were like a big family – I remember that the team in Stuttgart frequently used to cook together and stay many evenings together to play cards and socialize. I will also always remember his generosity. When I first came to this country he invited me to stay in his house for as long as would be necessary. His words were “here are the keys to my house and my car – help yourself to whatever you need”. I can speak of all of us who knew Dr. John Stezowski that we have lost an excellent teacher, a great mentor, a fantastic cook, and a wonderful colleague and friend. "

 Joanna Clark wrote on December 5, 2007 10:30 am:
" As another former Ph. D. student, I agree with all that has been said about John Stezowski. He was so thoughtful of his research group - he cooked for us, he traveled with us, and I still remember him showing up at the hospital with a large teddy bear and flowers when I had my first son. He was a teacher, mentor, and friend, and I will miss him. "

 Jen Alexander-Brett wrote on December 8, 2007 8:34 am:
" Dr. Stezowski was my undergraduate research advisor. His lab was my first exposure to research, and with his infectious enthusiasm, unwavering support, oustanding mentorship and dedication to his work and his trainees, he inspired me to pursue graduate training. As a true mentor, he understood each individual's strengths and weaknesses, helping us all to reach our greatest potential. Through his example, I learned how to be a scientist and a mentor to others. I am confident that his legacy and his teaching will live on among those of us who were lucky enough to have worked with him. "

 tribhuvan sharma wrote on November 12, 2008 10:01 pm:
" I never met mr.Stezoski but still i think that he was very good person,
not only by heart but also by his work.His remembrance will make dofference. "

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