In late October, the life of Evan Dowland Wade, a fourth-year engineering student, was tragically cut short when he accidentally crashed his SUV into a tree near Cornell University.

To this day, the unexpected loss of one of Cornell’s brightest young students is still deeply felt amongst his family, friends and peers, and last night, the Cornell community gathered to remember him in a teary-eyed memorial service held in the Anabel Taylor Hall Chapel.

The Cornell Daily Sun reports:

Shortall then invited mourners to come forward with their own memories of Wade. After several friends and acquaintances recollected, Marica E. Smith Wade, Evan’s mother, came forward to share her memories of her son.

Reminiscing on the life of her talented, beloved son, the elder Wade stayed true to his memory with humble but fervent praise. Wade thanked the University community for its fulsome support to her family.

“Evan was so blessed to come to Cornell,” Wade said. “Evan absolutely adored it, and he still does.”

After closing reflections by Prof. Alexander Deyhim, mechanical and aerospace engineering, who read a poem entitled “I’m Free,” the Naval ROTC midshipmen concluded the ceremony with a sepulchral rendition of “Amazing Grace.”

Our condolences go out to everyone who knew Evan.

Rest in peace, my friend; you will always be remembered as a bleeding-heart philanthropist who touched many lives in just a few short years and inspired hundreds of others to do the same.

[Photo Credit: The Cornell Daily Sun]