Re: In Memorium---Len Szalkowski

Yosemite News & Discussion has lost a highly regarded and long time member familiar to many on these forums. Len Szalkowski of Silverado, CA passed away very unexpectedly on October 29th. In addition to his frequent and well informed posts on a variety of subjects, we will miss his almost daily lighthearted tribute to marmots, one of the common creatures of the High Sierra. Officially known as Frederick Szalkowski, he long ago commandered the nickname of Len for reasons we may never know. Less well known was the fact that Len frequently introduced rookie day hikers and backpackers to the wonders of places like Yosemite and Kings Canyon, spending much of his personal time escorting them into the wilderness. This year I had the immense pleasure of accompanying Len and his son Stefan on a 6-day backpacking trip in Yosemite on my third successive annual trip to the area. I could not have asked for better company on the trails.

For those who may be interested the links below will take you to his obituary and guestbook:

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/latimes/obituary.aspx?n=frederick-j-szalkowski&pid=154637094

http://www.legacy.com/guestbook/latimes/guestbook.aspx?n=frederick-j-szalkowski&pid=154637094&sign=3

Many of us have lost a valued friend and will think of him every time we hit the trails. Wave at the next marmot you see. Len will appreciate it.



This is a photo of Len taken August 19th this year on the Pacific Crest Trail at the McCabe Lakes junction.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/20/2011 04:07PM by tomdisco.

Rest in peace, marmot guardian.

The marmots are sad:

As a relatively new member of this forum, I did not know Len well. However, I always enjoyed his posts and marmot comments. My condolences to his family and friends.

My dear friend, may you be at peace at your Loch Tablae Lake in sky.
Yes, we never did meet in person but I am sure that you had as much
fun as I did chiding each other. I will greatly miss you. We thought about
you often out in the mountains. Coming up with different ways to give
you a hard time was a lot of fun. There is a hole in my heart.
"The Good Doctor"
"The Marmuts"
"The Beaks"
May you Rest in Peace

I will always think of you when I see a Marmot. And I am giving back the dome.

With Love,

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One of my small regrets on my big Half Dome hike this summer was missing a gorgeous picture of a marmot basically posing for me on the Visor. The primary reason for wanting the picture was to post it for the "Marmot" guy and Chick-On. Alas, I fumbled with my camera too long and I missed the shot.

Blessings to Len's family...

I do not unually post to this forum, but I enjoy reading it regularly.
I was surprised when there was no Marmot reply to "Taking Back the Dome" by Chick-on.
This forum has lost a clever and intelligent voice. The Sierra has lost a friend, and somehow I feel that I have also.
Leslie S.

I was wondering what happened to Len since I hadn't seen any posts of his lately on this forum.

Sorry to hear that he is no longer with us. May he rest in peace.

My sincere condolences to his family and friends.

Co-sign.

Mr. Szalkowski brought lots of experience and humor to this site. I appreciated his responses to my questions and sharing of knowledge. He'll be missed.

My condolences to the family. I too took great pleasure in his posts. Many smiles!

Rest in Peace!

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"It is all very beautiful and magical here - a quality which cannot be described. You have to live it and breath it., let the sun bake it into you" - Ansel Adams

Wow, I know I have only been here for a short time, but I'm going to miss hearing from the marmots. RIP Len.

i am going to miss his posts, and the playful banter between Len and Chick-on. I hope he had the moment of peace where saw in his mind the shimmering mountains before he passed. My condolences to his family.

Gpa J

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Old Dude