John E. “Eddy” Lipska

Undated UW-Platteville photo

Services were held Monday for a UW-Platteville student who died last week.

John E. “Eddy” Lipska, 21, of Platteville, died at Southwest Health Center Oct. 29* from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the Grant County Sheriff’s Department.

Preliminary evidence indicated that he died by suicide.

Lipska was a fourth-year fine arts major with a biology minor, said Dean of Students Rich Egley.

“On behalf of the university community, I extend condolences to the family and friends of [Lipska],” said Interim Chancellor Carol Sue Butts, according to an e-mail from Egley. “University Counseling Services and Rich Egley are available to assist students in dealing with this tragedy.”

Services were held at the Lutheran Church of Peace in Platteville on Nov. 2.

Tyler Brandt, a senior biology major, spent much of the summer working with Lipska on a research project.

“He was easygoing. He took everything with a grain of salt,” Brandt said. “Nothing ever seemed to bother him. He was almost unflappable.”

Jeff Huebschman, chair of the Biology Department, worked with Lipska on the same research project this summer and was his academic adviser.

“Eddy was great,” Huebschman said. “We just want to stress that if students are having any type of challenges or personal trials to please talk with us, or friends, or somebody, so we can avoid future tragedies.”

“No matter how bad it is or how hopeless it seems and there doesn’t seem to be any alternatives, there are solutions,” Egley said. “Feeling that is not a weakness, and neither is asking for help. Reach out to those who are hurting and look out for one another.

“Nobody left behind ever thinks it’s better after you’re gone.”

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to U.S. callers in a suicide crisis or emotional distress. Calls are routed to the certified crisis center closest to the source of the call, and all calls are kept confidential.

For more information on how to cope with suicide, you can read our interview with UW-P counselor Deirdre Dalsing.

Additional reporting by Amy Bell Kwallek and Randall Stricklin.

AMENDED 11/5/2009

*The original story stated that Lipska died on Oct. 30. He actually died on Oct. 29.