Michael Lawrence Szydlowski
December 29, 1942 to July 7, 2011

 Mikl, as his friends knew him, was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts to John and Amelia Szydlowski.  He financed his way through college as a golf caddy and graduated as a mechanical engineer from the New Bedford Institute of Technology (now the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth) in 1964.  He then began a distinguished career with the Department of the Navy in Washington, D.C., holding increasingly demanding key engineering and logistics positions in the submarine community.  One colleague noted; “ Mr. Szydlowski has succeeded admirably because he has the intellect to understand and retain complex technical detail, the clear logic to sort through compound issues to the correct solution and the ability to articulate his position so that all can understand and agree.”  In 1973, in recognition of his vision, leadership, and professional abilities and accomplishments, the Navy selected Mikl to be one of the first civilians to attend the College of Naval Command and Staff at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island and he was later honored with a Navy Civilian Meritorious Service Award.

 After retiring in 1998, Mikl fulfilled a long held dream to live in the Florida Keys where he enjoyed the conviviality of friends, fishing, and travel.  He was a Sea Turtle volunteer, walking the beaches in nesting season and caring for injured turtles.  In 2004 he relocated to San Diego to live with his long-time partner where he pursued his love of golf, photography, travel, and physical training.   An accomplished chef and astute food critic, he enjoyed using his culinary skills to delight and entertain friends and family. An avid reader and a life-long learner, Mikl was a man of wide-ranging interests who cultivated many friendships.