Zbigniew Szuksztul of Temecula, CA passed away in his home on October 9th, 2021 at 67 years old after a five-month battle with brain cancer.
Zbigniew (known to his friends and family as Ziggy) was born in Sochaczew, Poland on April 1st, 1954. He was the only child for his parents, Stefan and Zofia. He started studying art and photography early on and this continued to be a hobby and passion as he grew into an adult and for the rest of his life. He later became interested in the physical sciences and went to school for chemistry and physics in Poland. When he moved his family to the Germany, he became interested in computers and started tinkering with them as a hobby. When he moved again to California, he got a degree in computer programming and made that his career until retirement.
Ziggy had an insatiable curiosity and continued to learn on his own until his death. He instilled the love of art and science in his children and would have done so for his grandchildren if he had been given the chance. His beautiful paintings adorn the walls of his home and additional family members' homes. He could talk your ear off about theoretical physics, astrophysics, quantum physics, mathematics, biology, and chemistry. At the same time, he could talk about art composition, color theory and photography. He enjoyed philosophy and loved to ponder the great mysteries of the universe. He was a big fan of the Dune science fiction series and Polish author Stanisław Lem.
Ziggy was never boisterous about his intelligence and knowledge, often choosing to say nothing to spare someone's feelings. He was a very modest man and took great care when he spoke.
Ziggy was an avid gardener. He grew tomatoes every year in the last several years. He was quick to show his grandchildren the plants and teach them about proper care. He was proud of his beautiful fig tree which always seemed to overproduce.
Ziggy was a thoughtful and loving husband to his wife Halina. He was an incredible father to his daughters, Dominika and Joanna. He took the time to play with them when they were little and help them with homework all the way through college. He was always available when they needed him, even for the smallest little project, until his death. He was a doting grandfather to his four grandchildren: Amelia, Alexander, Kurt and Axel. He was a caregiver to all four and always took the best care of them. He would draw them pictures, write math problems or just the alphabet on the chalkboard he built for them. They were all so fond of their “dzia dzia”.
Ziggy's memory will live on in the surviving members of his family and in all the people he touched in his life. While being here with his family would have been the absolute best place for him to still be, we have no choice but to remember his life through our memories.
I will love you and miss you forever, Dad!