Bart Ponze, executive director of computer services for the LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans, died Tuesday following a two-and-a-half year battle with colon cancer. Ponze was 50 years old.
"He was probably one of the most intelligent, caring people I've ever met," said Ronnie Smith, vice chancellor for administration and external affairs.
Ponze was responsible for the day-to-day computer processing and management of LSUHSC. He was also in charge of providing computer support to the Shreveport campus and all of the state's public hospitals.
Ponze also lead the effort to rebuild the medical school computer servers and obtain new equipment after Hurricane Katrina destroyed the system's computer services, said Charles Zewe, vice chancellor for communications and external affairs.
David Troendle, assistant vice chancellor of information technology at LSUHSC, said Ponze was able to restore full power and data services just two weeks after the storm.
"He always took on the most difficult challenges," Troendle said. "Even while in chemotherapy, he rebuilt our computer center in two weeks."
Several colleagues said Ponze, who received his diagnosis on New Year's Day 2005, was committed to his work and never missed a day.
"He carried a full load everyday with cancer and being displaced from his home," Smith said.
Ponze's wife, Julie, said he was dedicated to helping others.
"When he would go to the hospital, he would always fix the nurses's computers and their children's laptops," Ponze said.
Ponze also said her late husband was passionate about his work and the state.
"He loved LSU and was dedicated to serving it," she said.
Raised in New Orleans, Bart Ponze earned a master's degree in math and physics from the Univeristy of New Orleans.
---- Contact Nanci Valez a nvalex@lsureveille.com
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