Oh Scott, I’m really gonna miss you. At family gatherings you’ve often been someone I can relate to, talk to for hours on end.

So many memories come to mind. I was tasked with organizing a “bachelor party” for Kasra before his wedding. I’m pretty sure the 100% wholesome and simple camping trip I put together wasn’t your idea of what a bachelor party ought to be — but regardless you were incredibly supportive, helpful, and an overall delight to be around. I wasn’t equipped to light camp fires, cook meals in the dark, or deal with mosquitos. Let’s face it. I didn’t know what I was doing, but you did. Without showing off, you helped out, had fun doing so, and that spoke to the person I got to know you would be to us. One day on this trip, I remember we went on what was supposed to be a light walk in the woods on a whim. You wore flip flop sandals because I chose a trail that was pretty easy for you. What started as a light walk turned into much, much more of a trek after we took one wrong turn and lost the rest of the group, probably because the two of us got lost in conversation. I remember getting tired and feeling grumpy as we tried finding our way through the trail. But none of it bothered you. You just kept marching through some difficult terrain with only flip flops and shorts in the dark while entertaining me with stories. You had this ability to live in the moment and connect that’s pretty unrivaled.

I’ve appreciated your sense of humor, generous nature, and the accomplishments you’ve made so early in life. I’d get a kick at your reaction to the wacky things I’ve been up to in life, or silly interests of mine — weird art and bands with names like King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard. Your ability to strike up conversation with anyone and carry it to somewhere fun was something I admired about you. There are things I thought we’d get to share and do, and I’m saddened to know that won’t happen.

I know you loved your daughters with fierce, strong passion that only cool Dads have. The way you would toss them up in the air, tussle them about, show affect, and make them laugh that magic laugh that kids have made that all crystal clear to us. I will miss you, bud.