Many friends who spoke Friday said they remember meeting Bartok at the first "meet and greet" in June.
"There was something warm and engaging about his personality that reduced my fears about starting law school," Jessica Toplin said.
Bartok cooked a July 4 barbecue for incoming students, ensuring that "all burgers were the same size," Toplin added.
"Chris could never be ordinary and always went out of his way to make things special," she said.
Friends recounted how Bartok loved to cook and ensured that every aspect to a meal was perfect, starting with how the silverware was set to supervising dishwashing. He also served every drink with crushed ice.
Law Student Heidi Anderson said she will most remember dancing with Bartok, regardless of where they were.
"He was my dance partner ...whether we were in his living room or at a bar we would dance," Anderson said, adding that he would dance for hours despite the fact that "he just wasn't that good."
"He had the warmest heart and the biggest smile; he would try to put you in a good mood even if he was in a bad mood," she added.
Bartok's roommates also spoke at Friday's memorial, noting that he made their short time in their Arlington, Va., apartment fun.
"He knew how to have fun and keep the stress off," roommate Jamie Conn said. "He made our place a sanctuary away from law school. He really made our a house a real home."
Conn said he once came home to see Bartok dancing to "It's Raining Men."
Bartok's professors remembered an attentive student who was always prepared to answer their questions, and Roger Transgrud, a senior associate dean of the Law School, referred to Bartok's "towering intelligence" and "exemplary character."
"He was one of those students professors love to have in their classrooms ... he was so clearly listening," said Sonia Suter, an associate professor. "He would always have the right answer when he was called on."
Suter read from a questionnaire students filled out during one of her first classes. She said Bartok's was filled with imagination and lightheartedness.
He wrote, "If I had it all to do again I think I would be a race car driver."
"There was something warm and engaging about his personality that reduced my fears about starting law school," Jessica Toplin said.
Bartok cooked a July 4 barbecue for incoming students, ensuring that "all burgers were the same size," Toplin added.
"Chris could never be ordinary and always went out of his way to make things special," she said.
Friends recounted how Bartok loved to cook and ensured that every aspect to a meal was perfect, starting with how the silverware was set to supervising dishwashing. He also served every drink with crushed ice.
Law Student Heidi Anderson said she will most remember dancing with Bartok, regardless of where they were.
"He was my dance partner ...whether we were in his living room or at a bar we would dance," Anderson said, adding that he would dance for hours despite the fact that "he just wasn't that good."
"He had the warmest heart and the biggest smile; he would try to put you in a good mood even if he was in a bad mood," she added.
Bartok's roommates also spoke at Friday's memorial, noting that he made their short time in their Arlington, Va., apartment fun.
"He knew how to have fun and keep the stress off," roommate Jamie Conn said. "He made our place a sanctuary away from law school. He really made our a house a real home."
Conn said he once came home to see Bartok dancing to "It's Raining Men."
Bartok's professors remembered an attentive student who was always prepared to answer their questions, and Roger Transgrud, a senior associate dean of the Law School, referred to Bartok's "towering intelligence" and "exemplary character."
"He was one of those students professors love to have in their classrooms ... he was so clearly listening," said Sonia Suter, an associate professor. "He would always have the right answer when he was called on."
Suter read from a questionnaire students filled out during one of her first classes. She said Bartok's was filled with imagination and lightheartedness.
He wrote, "If I had it all to do again I think I would be a race car driver."
