Christopher James Usinowicz
Doctoral candidate

Christopher James Havasu City, died Thursday, Nov. 14, 2002, at his residence in Pearland, Texas at the age of 24.

At the time of his death, he was a graduate student pursuing a doctorate degree at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, specializing in molecular biology.

He was born July 7,98 at Navapache Hospital in Lakeside, and then moved with his family to Lake Havasu City in 1986 at the age of 8. He was enrolled in the gifted program at Starline Elementary School, and then attended Lake Havasu Junior High School. He graduated in the top 10 of his class at Lake Havasu High School in 1996.

While in High School, he played the alto saxophone with the Lake Havasu Band of Knights. He reached the rank of Eagle Scout with Boy Scout Troop 25.

He earned a scholarship to William Jewell College in Liberty, Mo., and while there was inducted to the Lamba Chi Alpha fraternity. He spent his junior year at Cambridge University, Cambridge, England, where in addition to his studies, he rowed for his college (Homerton) aboard a winning boat, eight men and coxswain, on the River Cam.

He graduated from William Jewell College, summa cum laude, with a Bachelor of Science degree in 2000, as the 14,999th degree candidate from that liberal arts college.

He was recruited by the Baylor College of Medicine, where he became a member of the doctoral candidates program.

He was known among his family members for his determined pursuit of success. In high school, he wrestled on the junior varsity team for a week with a broken collarbone before he finally gave in to the pain. When he was struck by a vehicle while riding his bicycle to class early one morning last summer, he was so intense that even after he got up, his helmet having broken the windshield, he reminded the driver that the traffic light was red. He picked up his crumpled bike and walked the remaining half-mile to Baylor. As he did, he told the driver, pointing to the bike, "You're paying for this!"

He enjoyed creating DNA strands in test tubes at the kitchen counter to explain science matters to his family, and he enjoyed difficult puzzles, scientific skepticism and math problems. He was also know for his wry complex sense of humor; his writing ability; and his love of literature and books. He could explain the principle of the singularity of black holes in the universe at a level his parents could understand.

It wasn't unusual for him to work through the night on an experiment in his research laboratory.

He acquired a taste for craft beers, observing with his shy smile that his student budget didn't permit him to become a wine expert. Guinness was among his favorites.

He also took up the Irish tin whistle, and during long traffic delays in Houston, he would pull one of a growing collection of whistles from a side compartment of his car and practice Celtic folk songs until the traffic light turned green.

He loved music and extended auto trips anywhere, and his hobbies included backpacking, hiking and camping.

Christopher is survived by his mother, Brenda Adkins, his father, Stan Usinowicz, and his stepfather John Adkins, all of Lake Havasu City; a sister, Dawn of Surprise; a brother, Paul of Flagstaff; a stepsister, Erin Caplin, Denver; a grandmother, Ethel Hunter, Lake Havasu City; and three nieces, Brittney, Kirsten and Taylor of Surprise.

A funeral service will be conducted at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19, at Calvary Baptist Church, 1605 McCulloch Blvd S., with Pastor Chad Garrison officiating. Burial will follow at Lake Havasu Memorial Gardens.

Memorial contributions may be made to the music department at Lake Havasu High School. Lake Havasu Unified School District, 2200 Havasupai Blvd., Lake Havasu City, AZ 86404.

Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home made the funeral arrangements.