On Tuesday, February 9, Bemidji State University (BSU) lost senior Erik Paul Ludwinski, age 24, to his lifelong battle against neuroblastoma.
Born on March 16, 1985, in Oakland, California, Ludwinski and his family moved several times before residing in Park Rapids, MN in 1998. He graduated as a homeschooled student from Park Rapids in 2003 and went on to attend North Dakota State University (NDSU) where he studied engineering for two years before deciding to come back to Minnesota to concentrate on his double majors of Computer Information Systems (CIS) and Computer Science at Bemidji State.
Ludwinski was an active member of BSU’s Computer Science Club and also volunteered at camps for children with cancer such as his own. Neuroblastoma is a cancerous tumor that develops from nerve tissue in the body most commonly diagnosed in infants and children.
He was passionate about snowboarding, composing music and creating graphic arts which showed in his everyday life. Friends and family characterized Ludwinski as confident and grateful, and his humorous and sympathetic nature will be missed by many.
Ludwinski is survived by his parents Paul and Donna Ludwinski, his siblings Aron, Karl and Lesa, his grandparents Hillaire and Lousia Huyge, as well as many uncles, aunts and cousins.
Faith Baptist Church in Park Rapids will be hosting a Celebration of Life ceremony on Saturday at 1 p.m. officiated by Pastor Mark Waller.
Ludwinski’s family asks that donations be made to the following charities instead of bringing flowers to the ceremony:Children's Cancer Research Fund; Children's Neuroblastoma Cancer Foundation; Ronald McDonald House; and ACS Hope Lodge.
Addresses for these foundations can be found at www.jonespearson.com. For more information about Ludwinski visit www.caringbridge.org/visit/erikludwinski.
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