The Yuan family's grief - obit link added

Uncle Yuan · June 10, 2007, 08:19:07 AM

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

tommyboy · June 10, 2007, 08:27:05 AM

My condolences to you and your family.

Epimethee · June 10, 2007, 08:49:22 AM

Sincere condolences, Uncle Yuan.

Zapow · June 10, 2007, 08:50:53 AM

I am so sorry. You and your loved ones are in my prayers.

gdaybloke · June 10, 2007, 09:34:50 AM

Sorry for your loss, Yuan...

Protomorph · June 10, 2007, 10:01:50 AM

Oh, Yuan, that's horrible...

My condolences as well to you and yours.

ow_tiobe_sb · 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

Glitch Girl · June 10, 2007, 11:16:23 AM

That's so sad.. you and your family have my deepest sympathies.

Gymdawg · June 10, 2007, 11:41:26 AM

That's awful. My sincerest condolences go out to both you and your family, Yuan.

style · June 10, 2007, 11:46:16 AM

My condolences Yuan, so sorry to hear this. If you just need a listening ear feel free to PM me anytime.

Alaric · June 10, 2007, 12:48:31 PM

It's hard to know what to say at a time like this. You have my sympathy.

the_ultimate_evil · June 10, 2007, 01:04:10 PM

yuan i'm so sorry, i hope you and your family can pull through this hard time

Reepicheep · June 10, 2007, 01:09:38 PM

This is such awful news, Yuan... I wish there was anything we could do to help more than we can.

Sincerest sympathies.

The Phantom Eyebrow · June 10, 2007, 01:46:00 PM

That's dreadful news Yuan. You and your family have my deepest sympathies.

vamp · June 10, 2007, 02:01:30 PM

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

77 · June 10, 2007, 02:03:16 PM

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.

kkhohoho · June 10, 2007, 02:06:52 PM

As with some people, I don't know what to say, other then that you have my sincerest sympathies.

Spam · June 10, 2007, 07:50:29 PM

I hope you all will be okay...... :(

The Hitman · June 10, 2007, 08:02:52 PM

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.

MJB · June 10, 2007, 08:31:31 PM

I'm so sorry to hear about your brother Yuan.

You and your family are in my thoughts.

-MJB

El Condor · June 11, 2007, 05:08:52 AM

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

BlueBard · June 11, 2007, 07:30:00 AM

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.

Thunder · June 11, 2007, 08:05:50 AM

All my prayers and sympathies to you and yours

psychopanda · June 11, 2007, 08:43:40 AM

So sad. My condolences to you and your family.

lugaru · June 11, 2007, 09:14:21 AM

My condolences to you and your family.

DireWolf · June 11, 2007, 10:45:04 AM

Keep the good things in memmory....

:direwolf

Funeral-Pyre · June 12, 2007, 10:20:03 AM

I'm so sorry for your family's loss, Yuan. My prayers are certainly with you and your family.

crimsonquill · June 12, 2007, 12:04:42 PM

My condolences to you and your family, Yuan... :(

It's a horrible shock to have that happen at such a young age.

- CrimsonQuill

MACH 3 · June 12, 2007, 01:30:51 PM

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.

glitter · June 12, 2007, 05:25:57 PM

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. :(