William Plywaski

Dr. William Plywaski, of Boulder, Colorado, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 24, 2023, at 11:45 am. He was 92 years old.

Dr. Plywaski was born in Lodz, Poland in 1931. Between 1940 and 1945, he and his brother together survived the Lodz Ghetto, Auschwitz, and the “Dachau complex” concentration camps. After the war, Bill was fostered by an American GI, and brought to Oregon.

Bill received his High School Diploma from Corbett High School in Corbett, Oregon, at 16 years old. He achieved his bachelor’s degree in engineering from Oregon State University. He served in the Air Force, and worked as a pilot during the Vietnam war. He then used his GI Bill to achieve a Doctor of Science in theoretical plasma physics from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

As he was working as a fellow at an international institute for physics in Trieste, Italy, Dr. Plywaski became an accomplished sailor. He spent most of his career teaching sailing and navigation on the high seas; and he tutored and helped as many students as he could in math and science.

Dr. Plywaski lost his whole family except his brother Walter to the ravages of the Holocaust. His brother, friend and neighbor Walter, preceded him in death, in January, 2021.

Dr. Plywaski is survived by his loving wife, Ronda Plywaski, and his brother’s daughters. He leaves behind a contingent of friends, admirers, students, and proteges who will miss him.

A memorial service is planned for December 9th, 2023. There will be a viewing at 10 am, and the service will begin at 11am.

Location: Greenwood and Myers Mortuary 2969 Baseline Road, Boulder, CO 80303
In lieu of flowers, donations in his honor can be made to:

Jewish Family Service
3201 S. Tamarac Dr., Denver, CO 80231
303-597-5000
https://www.jewishfamilyservice.org/donate/make-a-donation



Oregon State University “OSU Foundation”
https://www.fororegonstate.org/giving/ways-to-make-your-gift
1-800-354-7281