In memory of Wojciech Kowalski 1956-2009

RC The Hague Metropolitan mourns the untimely passing of Wojciech Kowalski, an outstanding member who always put service above self.

Wojciech was truly a global citizen; born and raised in the UK, of Polish descent and married to a Dutch woman he was equally at ease in the village of Zoeterwoude where he practised as a dentist, on the red carpet of the diplomatic world of The Hague or when visiting Rotarian friends in Jordan, Norway or India. Nevertheless, he always considered himself to be first and foremost a Pole, despite not having visited the country until he was already married. The Polish side of his character would show in Wojciech's lust for life and the strong, emotional reactions he was capable of when he felt that an injustice had been committed.

Everything he undertook in life was done with a purpose and with the determination to do it as well as was humanly possible. We are grateful for the various tasks and burdens he undertook for our club, as president and on two occasions as chairman of our international fund raising committee. We shall miss his voice at our club affairs meetings, where he always found occasion for a pithy question or comment that unfailingly had the long term interests of the club in mind. We shall also miss his grace, his humour and his wide ranging interests.

During his presidency of our club Wojciech always ended the meetings with a thought for the day, a practice that has now been renewed in memory of his contributions.

Moving tributes were paid to Wojciech at his funeral that was attended by several hundred people. His death leaves a gaping hole in the lives of countless persons.  
Our thoughts and prayers are with Janny and his children Roma, Biba and Lech.

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