South Elgin man overcame challenges to pursue passions of lacrosse, music, father says
As a kid, Cameron Bawolek of South Elgin looked up to his two older brothers, trying to keep up with them.
One of his brothers played the drums. So Bawolek took up the drums.
Both older brothers, Collin and Nathan, swam on the St. Charles North High School team. Bawolek spent two years on the team.
But lacrosse was his game, according to his father, Don.
Bawolek, who died Saturday at the age of 20, played four years for the North Stars. At the senior year end-of-season banquet, Bawolek won the award for "fastest shot," Don Bawolek said.
Cameron Bawolek also liked to "frolf" - playing flying-disc golf - with his friends.
All this after multiple surgeries for an ear problem in elementary school and overcoming a severe case of scoliosis in middle school that required wearing a back brace to straighten his spine. He was diagnosed last year with epilepsy.
"He had things to overcome. He had to work hard throughout (his childhood)," Don Bawolek said Monday. "We were always very proud of how determined he was."
Bawolek died at home. Kane County Coroner Rob Russell said it appears he died of natural causes.
Bawolek was about to return to the University of Nebraska for his junior year, where he was studying economics. He was attempting to graduate early and become a certified financial analyst, Don Bawolek said.
At St. Charles North, Bawolek played percussion in the school's music program, culminating with the wind ensemble, his father said.
But Bawolek liked other kinds of music too - especially that of the late Chicago rapper Juice WRLD. "He just had music kind of in his heart," Don Bawolek said.
He also had a strong Christian faith, his father said.
Bawolek is survived by his parents, Stephanie and Don Bawolek; brothers Collin and Nathan; sister Ellie; and grandparents Robert and Martha Peyer and Joseph and Patricia Bawolek.
Visitation for Bawolek is from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Yurs Funeral Home, 405 E. Main St. in St. Charles. A funeral is at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at King of Glory Lutheran Church, 36W720 Hopps Road at Randall Road, Elgin.
Memorial gifts may be made to Danny Did Foundation or the Scoliosis Research Society.