Vincent Lascko Was Engineer Who Loved To Hike, Bike, Garden

Vincent Paul Lascko is remembered by his family and friends for his sense of humor, his love of the outdoors and his perseverance.

"He was uncompromising, someone who must have things perfect. He was a lot to contend with. He expected a lot from people," his wife, Laura Kraft, said.

Mr. Lascko, 38, lost a 16-month battle with brain cancer and died at his Wedgwood home Wednesday.

"People were very struck by his combination of being very tough and very gentle at the same time," Kraft said.

She recalled one night when after dining out he went to get the car. After he took a while to get back, she asked what had taken so long. He replied, "Well, someone boxed me in so I picked it up and moved it."

"It" was the Volkswagen Bug he had lifted off the ground in order to move his car.

Born and raised outside of Pittsburgh, Mr. Lascko attended Carnegie Mellon University. In 1979, he received a master's degree from the university in geotechnical engineering.

A consulting engineer with AGI Technologies in Bellevue, he and his wife moved to Seattle in 1980. They married in 1985.

"I think Vince very much enjoyed life and he particularly encouraged others around him to do so," said Karen Braitmayer, a family friend.

Mr. Lascko was an avid hiker and cyclist. He loved both the Cascade and Olympic ranges, according to his wife. Another passion was his garden.

"He had very strong ideas and was very good at making them come to fruition," Braitmayer said.

Survivors include his parents, Dorothy and Paul Lascko of Venetia, Pa.; brother and sister-in-law, Tim and Susan Lascko, and nephew, Paul, of Centreville, Va.; a sister and brother-in-law, Laurie and Conrad Roncati, and nephews, Conrad and Dean, of Haworth, N.J.

Remembrances may be made to the Brain Tumor Research Group of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Foundation, Development Office LY120, 1124 Columbia St., Seattle, WA 98104.