Anthony Panek

Tony and I were college friends and shared living space for several years in Madison. While we didnt always see eye-to-eye, we shared an appreciation for science, history, and the absurdity of life via Kurt Vonnegut novels. In many ways, he was much smarter than me, and he was more kind while I found kindness much harder to practice. He would always call me Blue which was the nickname I picked up freshman year because there were 9 guys on our dorm floor named John; John Pink Floyd, John Brown, John Green, John Meek, etc. Tony was not much of a risk taker, whereas I tended to be a little more so, in my brave stupidity. He was the better student, though I think we both saw ourselves as outsiders he being from Chicago & me from far away Pittsburgh. Ill always remember our college years as flying by the seat of our pants hoping to make a soft landing somewhere on the planet. Be free, my friend. So it goes.

Tony was my first cousin. I remember launching rockets with him when I was younger. The fun part was the launch; then you had the challenge of finding the rocket's landing place. I had only occasional contact with him, but I will miss that. He was always kind to me even though I was a much younger girl, he still was willing to share his rockets and show me things in the telescope. Tony, I wish you a higher place on the wheel in your next incarnation. I will miss you, Cuz.

So sad to hear of Tony's passing. I knew him from his days at Madison when I attended pharmacy school. RIP Tony. Jean Hoffman Anuta