Memories submitted by our users

We asked users for remembrances of their friends and colleagues who were killed in Monday's massacre at Virginia Tech. Here is a selection of their submissions:

In the horrible tragedy at VT on Monday, the small but very close community of Narrows, Va., lost a dear friend and an amazing guy. Jarrett Lane was a very humble and down-to-earth guy and there couldn't have been any sweeter person to have a conversation with. Our small town is feeling the effects of this heinous crime that took place just 20 minutes away. We would like to ask that you continue to pray for those who have been affected by these events. Jarrett Lane we love you and we will miss you dearly! Save us a place up there...we will be coming soon! :) --Anonymous , Narrows, VA (submitted on April 17, 2007)

As an civil engineering undergrad at Tech I had the privilege to share in G.V. Loganathan's expertise. I thank him for all he taught me and will use it to the best of my abilities. It's a shame that a place that has provided me and so many other with a lifetime's worth of great memories will likely forever be tarnished by by this horrific, senseless, and cowardly event. Wear your maroon and orange with pride fellow Hokies, now more than ever. --Nicholas Porell, Raymond, ME (submitted on April 17, 2007)

Dr. Librescu was a phenomenal professor. I took his Dynamics course in 1991. His course was very challenging but also very rewarding. I have always admired him both as an educator and researcher. Two of my classmates from that course are now my dearest friends, and we continue in the engineering field due in part to his enthusiasm and influence. He was such an asset to the Virginia Tech community and aerospace engineering field. My prayers go out to his family, friends, students, and colleagues at Virginia Tech and in the field. Leslie Fowler, BSME 1994, MSME 1996 from Virginia Tech --Leslie Fowler, Albuquerque, NM (submitted on April 17, 2007)

Ryan Clark was a neighbor of ours. My son and younger daughter would play at their house and Ryan and his twin brother would play at our house. I never got to know their mom, but she seemed to be a hard worker, a woman determined to give her kids a good life. It has been probably 6 years since I have seen them, as we have moved to Ill., but I was saddened and shocked to hear that Ryan was among the victims. I remember him always with a smile on his face, a happy, good-natured kid. He seemed to always have his band instrument in hand, coming home from school. I always knew my kids were safe playing with Ryan -- he was a kid I knew I could trust. My condolences and prayers go out to all of the VT families and to the Clark family especially. --Mary Jorgenson, Oregon, IL (submitted on April 17, 2007)

I have worked with Ryan Clark every summer for the last 8 years at Camp Big Heart. He was an amazing person, counselor, and friend. Ryan was always there when you needed him and was always ready with a joke and a smile. I feel that it is an honor and a privilege to have known him and to have been able to call him my friend. It makes to me sad to think of all of the hundreds and thousands of people who will never have the chance to know Ryan and to have their lives touched by him. I am truly a better person for having known him. I keep a piece of paper over my desk with a saying that seems all too appropriate and have looked at it many times today, "Don't cry because it's over; smile because it happened." That's what Ryan would want all of us to do. That's just the kind of person that he was. --Liz Hodapp, Lawrenceville, GA (submitted on April 17, 2007)

Submitted by Liz Hodapp This is a picture of Ryan and myself taken at Camp Big Heart this past summer.

G V Loganathan who died in the shooting was a professor at the Civil Engineering. He taught me my last class in the PhD program while I was there. Later, I joined the faculty of Utah State University and had the opportunity to work with him in the professional world. I met him last in February at a ASCE/EWRI meeting in Atlanta and shared some memories from Va Tech days. He is a very humble person and always good to students and colleagues. Anyone who knows GV knows that his attitude and attention were caring and truly a honest and one of the nicest human beings to know. I sure miss him in my professional world and my prayers are with his family that has three young kids. --Jagath Kaluarachchi, Professor, Logan, UT (submitted on April 17, 2007)

Dr. G. V. Loganathan was my favorite professor and was my graduate advisor when I was a civil engineering student at Virginia Tech in the late 80's and early 90's. Dr. Loganathan was an excellent teacher and mentor and had received very numerous awards for these reasons. I will always remember him for his kind heart and patience he displayed towards me and his other students. He truly had a passion for teaching and getting to know his advisees. He was a primary reason that I chose to pursue a career in the engineering specialty of water resources and I credit much of my success to him. He will be missed greatly. --Glenda La Rue, Columbus, OH (submitted on April 17, 2007)

I knew Caitlin Hammaren from school functions. A friend of mine was attending VA Tech and also knew Caitlin. My fondest memory of Caitlin was at graduation. I attended the ceremony to run the sound equipment and photograph students during the presentation. Caitlin looked so beautiful even in the gown and cap. When I found out she was one of the victims of this massacre, it tore my heart out to know that a young woman who was so strong and such a leader was shot and killed. --Anonymous , Knox, NY (submitted on April 17, 2007)

I have been friends with Ryan Clark for almost 10 years. Ryan and I worked at Camp Big Heart, a camp for children and adults with special needs for part of every summer since I was in high school. Ryan was one of the most amazing, loving and caring young men I have ever met. He went into every day of camp, trying as it could be, with a smile and a open mind. I rarely, in the years I knew Ryan, saw him frown. Ryan directed the music/dance program at camp and brought cheer to all the campers around him. He was constantly smiling and dancing, signing and cheering. The campers would gather around Ryan and hug him. We have a picture of a year that Ryan was at camp on his birthday. All of the campers were surrounding him, hugging him, and all you could see of him was his head sticking out above the crowd. They all loved "Mr. Ryan". Camp will never be the same and we will all bear the scar of this tragedy for many years to come. Ryan will never be forgotten, and always be missed. --Arielle Perlmutter, Buford, GA (submitted on April 17, 2007)

Mme. Couture-Nowak was my French teacher freshman year. I had started Spanish last semester but she was always one of my favorite professors. My Spanish class was in the classroom in Norris right after hers at 10:10. She and I had reconnected this semester since I would always arrive early to keep up with my French and talk with her for a little while after her class let out and before mine started. I was out of town this weekend, and because of air-travel problems I didn't get back to school in time for classes Monday, so I wasn't there as I normally am on Monday/Wednesday/Fridays around 9:45. I am very lucky. This woman loved her family;  she would talk to me about trying to make sure her children grew up bilingual and would give me tips of how not to lose the French I already have with Web sites and books that are useful to keep sharp. I am heartbroken for her family. She truly was one of the most caring, loving teachers I have met on our campus, an incredible professor and woman; it is a true tragedy. --Elizabeth Taggart, Reston, VA (submitted on April 17, 2007)

Following are some words from my son, a senior Engineering student at VA Tech, regarding Professor G.V. Loganathan, one of the victims who was a friend, mentor and teacher of his and which I felt worthy of sharing with others during this trying time of tragedy: Dad, Yes, I knew professor Loganathan very well. I had him for three classes in my career here at Tech, first for Fluid Dynamics, then for Water Resources Management, and finally I had him in the summer for my CEE Measurements (surveying) course. He was easily one of the best teachers I've ever had, and one of the kindest people you would ever meet. He had basically received every teaching award that Tech and the state of Virginia had to offer, and it really saddens me that more students won't get the chance to learn from such a wonderfully intelligent man and educator. He will most definitely be missed, and I still can't believe that he was one of the victims. They haven't released a full victims list yet, and I just hope that none of my other professors or classmates were killed. It's entirely possible that one of my current professors or classmates are dead, maybe even one of my group members. I just don't know yet. Anyways, I just want to let you and mom know that I'm doing OK. This is still a shock and still sinking in, but as many people have already said, this is a resilient community and we'll all get through it. ... - Matt --Jack Tomlinson, Roanoke, VA (submitted on April 17, 2007)

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