Friend of mine passed away

Battletard · **Posted:** Sat May 21, 2011 10:37 pm

http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?storyid=121380
http://www.aero.umd.edu/about/the-alex-brown-scholarship.html

Take my word that he was a hell of a good guy. Good looks, good athletic ability, nice to damn near everyone he encountered, musically inclined, and brilliant as can be.

The world will be worse off for his loss.

If anyone is interested in aeronautics and the space program or just has a few dollars they want to spend on a worthy cause, this would definitely qualify.

I apologize if I am doing anything wrong by posting this here. I just know some of you folks might be interested. I recall some of you work with or alongside NASA.

Alex's dream was to be an astronaut, but he was too damn tall. He completed his bachelor and master's degree by the age of 25 and was well into working on his PhD.

He had been given access and rights to a lab as well as a wind tunnel for his research in aerospace engineering.

Any donations would be very welcome.

Kayllaira · **Posted:** Sun May 22, 2011 2:00 am

I'm completely broke or I would definitely donate. Just wanted to say that I am very sorry for your loss :[ It always seems to be the ones who could really make a difference that never get a chance to.

Fantastique · **Posted:** Sun May 22, 2011 2:30 am

oh wow he went to my school

my sincerest condolences man

Battletard · **Posted:** Sun May 22, 2011 3:14 am

Thank you to both of you. I'm really pretty shaken up about it because he's the kind of guy this shit just doesn't happen to. I had fallen out of touch with him in recent years, but that wouldn't have mattered if we saw each other again. He was the kind of guy that would pick up right where you left off.

I shared an anecdote at a candlelight vigil at College Park last night:

I was the dorkiest, nerdiest, geekiest, everything..you name it, that was me...on our school bus. And he was Mr. Has it All. He always let me sit next to him despite our massive differences.

Alex didn't know it at the time, but rather than having his kindness to others work against him, it merely served in his death as a true testament to the great guy he was. When 7th grade Alex made the decision to be cool and let the dork sit next to him despite what others might think, he had no idea that it would only work in his favor.

And me being a Father just makes this hit 10 times harder. His parents and younger brother were both there at the vigil, less than two weeks after news of his death. They were stoically composed and overflowing with love and gratitude to everyone who came out to say goodbye and honor his memory.

Of all people, his parents were the one's not breaking down..even as the mic was turned over for person after person to share their stories.

I thoroughly admire their tenacity and will to be strong in the face of tragedy.

Rathmoon · **Posted:** Sun May 22, 2011 6:07 am

that sucks man. I'll certainly look to this when I make my monthly donations in a week.

prayers & good energy your way during this

Battletard · **Posted:** Mon May 23, 2011 4:26 am

Really appreciate the fact that you're even considering it Rathmoon.

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Friend of mine passed away

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