Dear Friends,
Yesterday evening, after being uncharacteristically unreachable for the day, my younger brother was found dead in his bed. At this stage we have no idea what happened, but we suspect that he had a seizure in his sleep (something that was known to happen rarely) and he somehow asphyxiated. He was only 30 years old, and since young, otherwise healthy men don't just die, the sheriff's department is doing a full investigation including an autopsy at the state crime lab in Ames.
He was a straightforward, occasionally hard-headed man, who none-the-less had a goofy smile, a wicked sense of humor and, somewhat to my dismay, a keen appreciation for an uncle's role in the proper education of nephews. He also collected friends like a tenement collects roaches, and within two hours we had 20 people at our house. The Iowa City Grapevine in full crisis mode is a marvelous and somewhat scary thing to behold. One friend of his who currently lives in Cincinnati had called before we even got home.
Hoping you and yours are all well,
UY
Link to obituary, for those who are interested:
Bret D. Bender
4/20/77 - 6/9/07 (http://www.gayandciha.com/obit-display.jhtml?DB=update/obits/dbase&DO=display&ID=1181605423_28480)
My condolences to you and your family.
Sincere condolences, Uncle Yuan.
I am so sorry. You and your loved ones are in my prayers.
Sorry for your loss, Yuan...
Oh, Yuan, that's horrible...
My condolences as well to you and yours.
'Tis a heavy sadness, UY, and I am truly sorry that it's yours to bear. Please take comfort in your family and friends and accept my sincerest condolences during your time of grief.
ow_tiobe_sb
That's so sad.. you and your family have my deepest sympathies.
That's awful. My sincerest condolences go out to both you and your family, Yuan.
My condolences Yuan, so sorry to hear this. If you just need a listening ear feel free to PM me anytime.
It's hard to know what to say at a time like this. You have my sympathy.
yuan i'm so sorry, i hope you and your family can pull through this hard time
This is such awful news, Yuan... I wish there was anything we could do to help more than we can.
Sincerest sympathies.
That's dreadful news Yuan. You and your family have my deepest sympathies.
I dont know what to say. But I Pray that you hear what you need to from someone. I am very sorry, you have my condolences.
God Bless,
Vamp
I been staring at this for last few hours, not knowing what to say somehow "sorry for your loss" just isn't enough I have brothers that age, I rarely get to talk to them anymore, much less visit with them. I called them all today, Thank you for the eye opener.
As with some people, I don't know what to say, other then that you have my sincerest sympathies.
I hope you all will be okay...... :(
I don't know what to say. Your brother sounded like a great guy. My deepest sympathies to you and your family. If you need someone to talk to about... well, anything, please do not hesitate to PM me. You all will be in my thoughts and prayers.
I'm so sorry to hear about your brother Yuan.
You and your family are in my thoughts.
-MJB
I'll keep you and your family in my prayers, Yuan. Thanks for reminding us of the preciousness of life, even in your time of grief.
Much strength to you,
EC
I'm so sorry to hear this... a family loss is bad enough, but one so unexpected is very hard. My prayers will be with you and your family.
All my prayers and sympathies to you and yours
So sad. My condolences to you and your family.
My condolences to you and your family.
Keep the good things in memmory....
:direwolf
I'm so sorry for your family's loss, Yuan. My prayers are certainly with you and your family.
My condolences to you and your family, Yuan... :(
It's a horrible shock to have that happen at such a young age.
- CrimsonQuill
I'm so very sorry to hear about your family's loss. Like many others have said before me, it's difficult for me to find the right words to say.....My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours.
I am sorry about what happened, I really hope you get through this tough time. You and your family are in my prayers, now and until things are back to normal for your family, or until you get through this. :(
Thank you all so very much for the kind words and support. I'm linking my brother's obit for those who are interested.
Bret D. Bender
4/20/77 - 6/9/07 (http://www.gayandciha.com/obit-display.jhtml?DB=update/obits/dbase&DO=display&ID=1181605423_28480)
Oh, and we forgot to mention that he was a life-time RPGer and comic geek. He bought my son his first comic! :D
'Tis the very least we can do, UY. The very least, indeed...
ow_tiobe_sb
MY sincerest condolences to you and your family. I' sure your son will treasure that first comic forever.
Quote from: ow_tiobe_sb on June 10, 2007, 10:59:26 AM
'Tis a heavy sadness, UY, and I am truly sorry that it's yours to bear. Please take comfort in your family and friends and accept my sincerest condolences during your time of grief.
ow_tiobe_sb
I whole-heartily agree with Tiobe and hope that ye and ye family can come through this toughest of times. If ye need someone to talk to, don't hesitate to PM me...as I've been through this unhappy affair many a times myself and am a great shoulder to lean on (and I'll try as hard as possible to be sober when I read and reply to the PMs...which we all know is a major thing for one like me).
Sorry for your loss, man.
I'll light a candle for you.
Sincere condolences to you and your family.
~comfort hugs~
it's never easy to loose someone but take comfort that you are surrounded with love.
Condolences to you and yours,
keep the good times in your thoughts
My condolences as well to you and yours
Oh Yuan I'm really sorry. I hadn't even seen this til now.
I regret hearing of your brother's death, Yuan...You have my sincerest condolences.
Dana
My apologies on not noticing this thread until now. My sincerest condolences to you and your family, UY. That is truly a tough burden to bear.
I've been away for a little while, so I only just saw this. So sorry for your loss, Yuan.
Condolences to you and your family, Uncle Yuan.