Campus community remembers student David Owocki

10:09 a.m., Jan. 6, 2015--Members of the University of Delaware community remember David Alexander Owocki, a senior majoring in computer science, who died Dec. 30. 

Mr. Owocki, from Landenberg, Pennsylvania, was 25. His father is Stanley Owocki, professor of physics and astronomy at UD. 

"On behalf of the entire University of Delaware community, I extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of David Owocki," UD President Patrick Harker said. "The loss of this talented young man saddens us all."

"Our sympathies go out to David's family, his classmates and his friends," said José-Luis Riera, dean of students at UD. "Our thoughts are with them during this difficult time."

James Atlas, associate professor of computer and information sciences, who taught Mr. Owocki in three classes, said, "David was very interested in algorithmic problems in computer science and always placed in the top of the class on exams and competitive assignments. He also was an affable group member during problem-based learning exercises in my parallel programming course and often led his group on puzzles and optimization exercises. I was very sad to hear the news about David. I appreciated having him as a student and want to express my sympathies to his family and friends."

For the past two years, Mr. Owocki had been reigning chess champion at the Newark Chess Club of Delaware.

He is survived by his parents, Suzi and Stan, his sister, Sarah, his brother, Kevin, his cats, Sydney and Petra, and family dog, Shayla.

A celebration of his life was held Sunday, Jan. 4, at R.T. Foard & Jones Funeral Home in Newark.

Contributions in Mr. Owocki's memory may be made to Faithful Friends Animal Society, 12 Germay Drive, Wilmington, DE 19804; Renaissance Knights, an organization for teaching chess in schools, P.O. Box 1074, Northbrook, IL 60065; or the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, 120 Wall St., 29th Floor, New York, NY 10005.  

Online condolences may be left at the R.T. Foard & Jones Funeral Home website. 

Support and assistance

UD students in need of support and assistance are encouraged to contact the Center for Counseling and Student Development at 302-831-2141. In addition, the staff in the Office of the Dean of Students is available to meet with any student who wishes to talk. Call 302-831-8939 to schedule an appointment or stop by 101 Hullihen Hall.