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Pat Wadecki Loses Battle with CancerMay 1, 2009
10-year NANPA veteran Pat Wadecki passed away Friday, May 1, 2009 after a long battle with cancer. Pat was active in Chicago-area camera clubs and freely devoted much of her time each year to the NANPA High School Student Scholarship Program. Dozens of budding nature photographers benefited from her patient and knowledgable instruction. During her membership in NANPA, Pat was awarded the NANPA Mission Award in 2005 and the Russ Kinne Recognition Grant in 2007. In addition, Pat won a Top 100 spot in the 2009 NANPA Member's Showcase with her photo entitled "Autumn Reflections at Bond Falls, MI". Her contributions were considerable and her presence will be missed within NANPA. Pat's family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the NANPA Foundation in her name for the High School Student Scholarship Program. Please send donations to: NANPA Foundation In Memoriam -by Family, Friends and Fellow PhotographersPat Wadecki's Eulogy I would first like to thank you all for paying respect to our Aunt Pat. She had touched so many lives and it was obvious by the turnout last night and today. Two of her biggest passions in life were getting high schoolers as well as gifted 8th graders to understand the concept of Geometry and her passion for photography (especially in the later years). She had such patience, taking her students aside for a one on one to explain a problem until they got it right. She even tried this technique on all of us a time or two at home. She showed that same patience in nature...waiting for the perfect animal stance waiting to attack its prey, water droplets dangling just so, the right mixture of sun and shade...which made for the perfect mountain-scape. Aunt Pat even had the patience to wait for the sun-drenched glisten of a fresh fallen snow on a mountain stream in...25 BELOW WEATHER. Most of you referred to my aunt as Pat or Patricia.....but......back in our late high school days and early 20's we spent a lot of summers out at the lake house with our friends. Aunt Pat was always there as our "adult" supervisor. But...always managed to fit right in with a bunch of kids...don't forget...there was only a dozen years or so between us and her. At one of those many parties Rick decided to give her a new name...Aunt Bananas. Not sure to this day why, but it stuck. From that day forward, all of our friends called her by that name. Life is meant to be lived and she sure did, even to the very end. Nothing seemed to hold her back these past few years. If Aunt Pat needed to get around she used walkers, wheelchairs, transfer boards and the occasional carry up or down the stairs. She wouldn't let any obstacles get in her way (she just considered them a minor set-back until she found a new way to conquer the problem)... until..... that one day in January that put her in the hospital. Although she was confined to a bed, she still fought her disease with courage and strength. But....God decided it was time and he took her too quickly from us last week. I think that Pat's life can be summed up in a simple quote "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away." That quote will live on in her photographs that we all will cherish and have had the privilege to see every day. And remember...the next time you photograph nature in the sunlight...that's where she will be. Pat lived by one simple mantra "Be your own person. Do what your heart wants you to do. Explore...and get passionate about it!" We can take this and apply it to our everyday lives. Life is too short so make the best of it as our Aunt did. We will say good-bye for now and it is time for all of us to move on. So let's raise our glasses and toast to a special aunt, cousin relative and friend...she will be missed. Jean Farina, niece Always the educator, whether the students were high school teens or fellow nature photographers, Pat Wadecki took advantage of every opportunity to share her knowledge, talent, and skills with those around her. She was a confident woman, an accomplished photographer, who set her own goals and high standards. The quality of Chicago camera clubs and NANPA programs have all been enhanced by her passion, presence, and pleasing personality. Pat Wadecki, long time valuable NANPA member died May 1, 2009, in her home town, Buffalo Grove, Illinois, after a three year battle with cancer. Known for her passion for education, Pat's early teaching abilities were formed when she skillfully taught geometry to high school students in a manner so they could clearly understand the concepts. This educational method served her well after she retired and began her photography journey in earnest and, this time, found herself teaching photography concepts to others. In her unsinkable style, Pat spent her teaching sabbatical traveling across the country alone while sharing new teaching concepts with other high school geometry teachers. One of her former colleagues gratefully stated that her journey gave him courage needed to venture out on his own on the same path. Pat's ability and interest in photography began during her school summer vacations, when she would seek out the ideal locations across the country to shoot whatever subject caught her interest. She made numerous trips to Yellowstone in the winter, to Texas during bluebonnet season, to Provence during the harvesting of the lavender, to Florida during mating and fledgling season. She and a friend in the stock agency business tripped across the country one year photographing state Capitols for a contract with a publisher for high school textbooks. She joined a local nature photography club and from there launched further accomplishments. Always the ultimate resource, she served in positions where she could influence the education of the membership. She founded another camera club in a town nearby and eventually became president of the Chicago Area Camera Clubs, holding that position till her illness finally prevented her monthly trips for the competitions. Pat was a strong advocate of film photography and forever maintained that film colors were more vibrant than what digital could offer. But she did finally accede to the ultimate educational advantage and speed of learning that digital photography brought to the high school scholarship program. In February 2002, she became an avid instructor in NANPA's high school scholarship program. Here she found an outlet for her planning and logistics capabilities, as well as her photographic talents and teaching skills. Lou Nettelhorst, Chair of the High School Program, worked with Pat for eight years and praises her "steadfastness, intensity, focus, and earnest effort." Pat received the NANPA Recognition Award in 2005 for her outstanding accomplishments with the student program and the Russ Kinne Recognition Grant in 2008 for her selfless time and talent offered to this high school program. In 2009, her images were selected for the Members' Showcase and published in Expressions. Pat's images and narratives have also been published in the Sierra Club's book, Mother Earth: Through the eyes of women photographers and writers; in Chicago's Wilderness Magazine and others. Pat will be remembered for her award-winning talent, her competitive spirit, and her ability to understand nature and capture its beauty and awe for others to enjoy. As a true NANPA advocate, she took every opportunity to share her knowledge with other photographers, young and older, and to encourage their interests and endeavors. For those who knew Pat personally, she will also be remembered for the noble way she lived the last few years, valiant in the face of continually mounting pain and loss of function. Her independent, competitive spirit and courage served her well, as she overcame pain, discomfort, anxiety and inconvenience, using walker, wheelchair, customized van, and a 24 hour caregiver to help maintain her active schedule. To her, there were still many more opportunities that needed to be answered: educational opportunities in many more presentations, and opportunities for accomplishment in many more competitions to enter. Despite increasing debilitation, she maintained her status as the major contributor in her local camera clubs during her years of illness. Pat did not let any obstacles prevent her from whatever she wanted to do. Speaking at Pat's memorial service luncheon, her niece, Jean Farina summed her Aunt's philosophy of life, saying her mantra was: "Be your own person, do what your heart wants you to do. Explore, and get passionate about it." All photographers speak of "finding the light." We photographers found the light - in Pat. We know her light will be greatly missed, but her outstanding images will be reflecting light for years to come. Diane Bodkin, friend, NHSSP Staff and fellow photographer in Riverwoods Nature Photographic Society (RNPS) I first met Pat when I joined a local camera club, Riverwoods Nature Photographic Society, back in the mid-nineties. She was one of the very talented photographers, who the other club members most wanted to emulate. I admired her work for which she received countless awards. Pat and I really got to know each other after I asked her to join our NANPA High School Scholarship Program (NHSSP) team in 2002. We worked extremely well together, all the way to the end. Our longstanding friendship was due to great mutual respect, complete honesty with one another, and a shared passion for both teaching and nature photography. Our teaching philosophies were very similar, as we always considered the students' perspective and how they might best learn. We got to the point where we could finish each other's sentences! It was wonderfully convenient that Pat and I were both retired, moving into our renaissance and lived only 30 minutes apart. Pat was an excellent teacher, both of math and photography. One of the special things that I admired was her willingness to share her knowledge with others. Occasionally, she would slip into what she called her "teacher mode", and actually acknowledged that shift to the person she was teaching or helping. It was a joy to observe. Pat wore a number of hats in the student program. In many ways, she and I ran the committee together, sharing in each other's responsibilities and shifted loads seamlessly when needed. Her major pre-Summit tasks were coordinating the entire application process and the Yahoo! ListServ, where she stimulated communications among the students and the adult staff. Pat typically was the main spokesperson answering many of the students' questions. Her very informative explanations become useful to the adults, too. Pat helped us remain very frugal with our budget expenditures before and during the Summit in her role as the Coupon Queen shopping for bargains. Pat would do whatever was necessary. I had total confidence that it would be done on time and very well. Pat was a dear, dear friend and colleague who gave so much to NHSSP and camera clubs here in the Chicago area. I truly believe that it was her passion for working with the students and sharing her photographic knowledge with club members that significantly prolonged her life. Pat was a trooper. She took each obstacle that was presented to her as a new challenge that needed solving, which she did until the very end. She remains quite an inspiration to her many friends and family. I miss her very much! May her soul rest in peace. Lou Nettelhorst, friend and colleague I had the good fortune to spend over a week working alongside Pat each year for seven years. When we first met she made me feel special by commenting on my photos in Sierra Club's Mother Earth ... never mentioning that she also had photos in the book. And the last time we worked together at NANPA she once again made me feel special, with encouraging comments about my photography. That was Pat's way. She was often somewhat quiet and didn't need to be center stage, but she was alert and aware of EVERYTHING. And she would share words of wisdom at the needed moment. This was true of my interactions with her, as well as the way she interacted with the students. The high school student program benefitted from her wisdom, as did I. She touched my life and the lives of so many others. What a beautiful soul. Ellen Anon, friend, NHSSP staff and fellow photographer I had the honor and joy of teaching for NANPA's High School Scholarship Program with Pat Wadecki from Florida to New Mexico and back. Life has taught me that no one is irreplaceable; working with Pat taught me that some people come close. She was generous with her knowledge and her caring, a talented photographer so secure that she was always willing to share her skills, so full of life that she was pretty much unstoppable, and always nothing but encouraging and supportive. She was an impressive blend of cornerstone and inspiration. She led as we all should lead - by example. I will miss her sorely. Ray Pfortner, friend, NHSSP staff and fellow photographer Thinking of Pat Wadecki, the words patience and persistence come to mind. These qualities played a huge role in her personal photography, but even more, they shaped her contributions to the High School Student Scholarship Program. Behind the scenes, Pat worked tirelessly to set up pre-summit communications and prepare for day-to-day needs of attendees. Ever the educator, she facilitated profound learning experiences in the students' lives. Her grace and good humor will be sorely missed. Connie Toops, NHSSP co-founder and photographer My most incredible memory of her was seeing her friends bring her to Michigan to see fall foliage. She was already in a wheelchair, but she didn't want to miss anything. That will be my legacy of Pat - to try not to miss anything. May she be resting in peace after too much pain. Perhaps there is a photography world on the other side that was waiting to welcome her. Nancy Rotenberg, NHSSP Staff Pat will be missed. She was the heart and soul of NHSSP. A dear friend, and caring person. I give thanks to the Lord that she is without pain and has moved on to a better place... Michael Nadler, Canon Marketing Specialist, NHSSP Staff Pat was to salt of the Student Program. She was there for every student and gave each one the love and devotion that each one needed to fulfill their understanding of photography. Kevin FitzPatrick, former NHSSP staff I met Pat Wadecki in Portland, Oregon as a member of the 2004 NANPA high school class. Pat had twisted her ankle just days before the Summit and could not participate on field trips but made her impact in the classroom. She was very patient with then a very young photographer who was using digital for the first time. Pat along with all the NANPA instructors and professionals made a lifelong impression. Jared Peyton, NHSSP 2004 Scholar You could tell Pat was in a room even before you saw her - she seemed to exuded strength, warmth; she was so full of energy, invariably upbeat. She was always willing to answer questions or give constructive advice when asked; always helpful. Her passion for sharing knowledge and helping us young photographers was truly remarkable. I feel greatly honored, even privileged, to have known Pat and will always treasure the memories of that summit. Chris Wirth, NHSSP 2008 Scholar Pat helped out so much at the NANPA conference I attended, and I just wanted to say I appreciated all she did for us. It's truly a shame to see her pass. She did indeed face this as just another challenge, and did so well. I wasn't aware that she was battling cancer at all the numerous times I spoke with her at NANPA. She always seemed up-beat and never let anything get to her; she will be missed. Nick Burden, NHSSP 2008 Scholar I'm so sorry to hear about Pat. ...I never had the opportunity to meet or work with her, but it seems she was an incredible woman with an inspiring legacy. From the emails that were sent back and forth before the Summit, she was clearly excited about the program, and I was looking forward to meeting her there. I'm sorry that didn't happen. I lost my grandmother to cancer a few years back, and I know how incredibly draining it can be on a person--it makes it all the more impressive that Pat was able to continue doing so much work with NANPA until the near end. My condolences to those who knew her. Lindsey Wasson, NHSSP 2009 Scholar I met Pat Wadecki at breakfast during the NANPA convention in Austin, in 2000. Our mutual passion for nature photography led us to share many adventures all over the country. We drove squiggly mountain roads in California, tried to outrun a thunderstorm near Ouray, and got stuck in Oregon on 9/11/2001 wondering if flights would resume to Chicago. One time we rose at 3 am in Page, Arizona so that we could catch sunrise in Zion. Even with her growing disability, Pat had worked out how to manage her camera gear on a rolling walker. On Pat's last photo calendar, I have highlighted which of her photos were taken from a wheelchair. Pat had so much to admire, but perhaps most remarkable was her courage and resolve to pursue her photography in the face of illness and disability. Her greatest gifts to me are the inspiration to drive by myself all over the country, and getting to know her many wonderful photographer friends. Abhi Ganju, friend and fellow photographer As a local colleague of Pat's, I could write all afternoon about her, I have so many fond memories of her. Here are a few.... I think one of the most remarkable things about Pat was her perseverance in the face of her illness. She refused to let it stop her from doing photography. With the help of many club members and friends, she continued to go out and do photography in the wheel chair. I remember shooting Lady Slipper Orchids in Door County with her and another friend a few years ago. We had a perfect, calm, overcast morning. We photographed from sunrise to 1:30 PM. That's determination! Her passion for teaching continued even after her retirement. We all benefitted from her many programs, hands-on tutoring and experience. She is the person who inspired me to get serious about photography. At my first CAPS (Chicago Area Photographic School), I attended her 'how to photograph flowers' program. I was amazed at her photos and it opened my eyes to all that can be done with a camera. That program inspired me to join the Riverwoods Nature Photography Club that Pat was very active in. Many of the techniques Pat discussed during that program are still essential techniques I use in my photography. Many photographers from NANPA may not realize that Pat's interests in photography extended beyond nature. I was reminded of this the other day when I was visiting a mutual friend of ours. On the wall of his home are these beautiful photographs Pat took of his wife dressed and posed for a traditional Indian dance. What a wonderful and uniquely personal memory for his family to have of Pat. I think one of the most poignant memories I have of Pat is my last 'Christmas dinner' with her. Since I was leaving town before Christmas to visit family, a few friends gathered at Pat's home to share dinner and conversation. She had a slide program that we wanted to see on her travels in Poland (where all her family is from). Even at that point with the decline in her health, she rarely stumbled and still could remember most of the program. We all had a great time. I never saw her in her home again after that evening. She went into the hospital after New Years and then the nursing home before I came back from my vacation. Don Bolak, friend and fellow photographer in Riverwoods Nature Photographic Society (RNPS) My most inspiring memories of Pat will always be the way in which she dealt with the "hand that was dealt her". She continued living her life as best she could --- teaching others --- sharing her vast knowledge --- living each day without a complaint or self-pity. I was privileged to be her friend. She continues to serve as my inspiration. I learned so much from her. Not only how to be a better photographer but how to live life the best I can. Elli Glist, friend and fellow photographer in RNPS One of my remembrances of Pat: Sheri Sparks, friend and fellow photographer in RNPS Pat Wadecki was among the finest educators I have ever known. She passed away on Friday, May 1 after a long battle with cancer that took her from us way to soon. Pat combined a talent and love of photography with an uncanny ability to teach us "common folk" with energy and respect. She took what she had fine-tuned among teenagers (as a high-school math teacher) and applied it to us all in a warm and reassuring way that just made you know you could do "it" too! When asked what the best equipment was, Pat would simply state, "the equipment you have," encouraging us to master what we had to work with, before investing in the latest gadget, lens, etc. One of my favorite tips from her was how she used her "tall-angle lens" giving a new perspective on the world over our heads. And impact! Pat could capture light the way that could be done only by someone willing to be in place before dawn and ready to shoot when the sun crested the horizon (a time most of us are hitting the snooze for the second time). Pat gave generously of her time and talents. She presented programs to us at Volo Bog State Natural Area for the ShutterBugs of Volo Bog and for a teen program here, at Ryerson where she was a member of Riverwoods Nature Photographic Society, and at many other places. Those of us who were lucky enough to have enjoyed one of Pat's programs are better photographers for it. Her spirit will live on in all of our images and in our memories. Stacy L. Iwanicki Say Pat Seven years ago I joined the Arlington Camera Club and quickly learned two of the most powerful words in my vocabulary. Say Pat. Who would have imagined those two simple wordsat the beginning of a question would play such a big role in shaping my photographic development. Say Pat, could you recommend.... Say Pat, have you ever been to.... Say Pat, do you know...? Just asking Pat Wadecki would release a wealth of knowledge beyond your wildest dreams. Interested in visiting a new place? Ask Pat, she'd probably been there or knew of someone that had. Thinking of buying a piece of equipment? Ask Pat, she'd be able to cut through the confusion of internet opinions and give you the real scoop. Need an opinion about a photograph? There was none better than Pat's. She'd cut to the chase and politely suggest ways to improve your work. Pat was the consummate teacher and happily answered every question despite her busy schedule. For those of you who didn't know Pat, she was one of the founding members of our Club and a key leader in CACCA. An outstanding photographer, she produced work published by the Sierra Club, Chicago Wilderness Magazine, and many others. We owe much of the Club's success to the foundation she laid and her continuing involvement. But it was the teacher in her that really was extraordinary. She tirelessly traveled the area giving programs, judging competitions and assisting CACCA. She was actively involved in the North American Nature Photography Association and worked on the organization's scholarship committee. Always the teacher, she often chaperoned high school student scholarship winners to NANPA's annual conference. Despite Pat's many contributions to photography, I think I'll remember her best for teaching us how to be better people. She shared her respect and appreciation for Nature with us through her photography, programs and actions,. Her dedication to helping and teaching people should be a model for us all. So in the end, perhaps her most important lesson was teaching us all how to live. Say Pat, we're really going to miss you. Ken Olsen, fellow photographer in Arlington Camera Club [More Tributes] |
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