Michael Ronald SzymczakMichael Ronald Szymczak was born on Jan 5th, 1942 in Spokane, WA to Henry and Florence Szymczak. He passed away after a brief battle with cancer on October 30th, 2016. He attended Washington State University where he played baseball and received a Bachelor degree in Wildlife Biology. He met the love of his life, Cathryn Joan Angus at WSU, and married her on April 11, 1964. Mike and Cathy settled in Fort Collins, CO, and Mike also earned a Master Degree in Biology from CSU. He worked for the Colorado Division of Wildlife until retiring in 2002. Mike and Cathy raised their three sons in Fort Collins, then relocated to Casper, Wyoming in 2003. Mike was an avid outdoorsman. He shared this love with his sons, and spent several hunting seasons in Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and Montana with his sons and closest friends. He was a published author in multiple scientific journals and was featured in Field and Stream magazine for his expertise in waterfowl migration. In 1999 Mike earned the prestigious National Great Blue Heron Award for his contribution to the conservation of waterfowl and other migratory bird populations. Mike was also an avid sports' fan. He rarely missed his sons' or grandchildren's athletic events. He travelled throughout the country to watch their events, and was passionate about supporting them whether it was in a swimming pool, football field, wrestling room, volleyball court, dance recital or his favorite, a baseball field. He also enjoyed watching his granddaughter's sing which led him to New York City, and to chaperone his granddaughters' A Capella group in Italy last spring. Mike was always up for an adventure. When it came to adventure he rarely said no, which led him to travel throughout the world. He was a rock for his family, a voice of reason, and a source of joy to all who knew him. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Cathryn Szymczak; His sister Joyce Reed of Spokane, WA; his sons: Tim (Linda) of Colorado Springs, Co, Jeff of Greeley, Co; Pete (Brenda) of Casper, Wy; his grandchildren: Taylor, Mitchell, Samantha, Carly, Blake, Aly, Cece, Jessi, Wisdom and Gigi; and numerous nephews and nieces. Please join us in celebrating his life at Cornerstone, E-Free Church of Casper, 4100 Casper Mtn. Rd, on June 10th 2017 at 2:00 pm.