Cal Poly came together to celebrate the lives of construction management sophomore Nicholas Reid Brown and graduate Ian Kingsbury this past Friday evening.
This celebration of life was not meant to dwell on the absence of these two people, but to remember the happiness and love they spread.
Brown died at his home in San Diego in the early hours of Sunday morning, Nov. 29. He had been suffering from a low grade fever all week, but the fever spiked on Saturday. After being rushed to the emergency room, the doctors saw no reason to keep him overnight and sent him home.
Brown suffered from a seizure, which resulted in his heart stopping. The paramedics were unable to resuscitate him upon arrival. The cause of the seizure is still undetermined.
“I’ve never seen someone so loved by all his friends,” business administration sophomore Matt Devine said. “(His impact) will never end.”
Kingsbury’s death occurred locally, in San Luis Obispo, on Nov. 30.
Having recently graduated Cal Poly as a software engineering student, Kingsbury was working for Amazon, a job family members said he loved.
“Ian was extremely sweet, and always cared for others without focusing on himself,” aerospace engineering sophomore Giovanni Guerrero said. “I hope Ian is happy now and at peace.”
The event was for both friends and families of the two men.
“Hearing what (Nick’s friends) have to say about him gives us a whole new perspective on our son,” said Greg Brown, Nick’s father.
Counseling services are available to students 24 hours a day, every day of the week. Students can call the counseling office and make an appointment at 805-756-2511. The Employee Assistance Program also offers 24-hour counseling services through its hotline, 800-367-7474.