My deepest sympathies to my good friend Susan, her husband Charley, and all of their family. I was constantly impressed and amazed by stories of Tyler's adventures and accomplishments. 

I never met Tyler but I knew of him since he was born. I was on a Fulbright scholarship for professors at that time (1997) with my husband Slava Shestakov at Mankato State University (MN) where Carol, Tyler's grandmother, was a chair of women's studies. We became great friends, four of us - me and Slava, Cy and Carol. I followed all the stories about Tyler that Cy posted on FB, particularly about his epic trip along the Pacific crest! I admired his courage and endurance, his strong will and physical fitness.  I am so sorry about the loss of such a bright young life! My deepest condolence's to you, dear friends and family! Rest in Peace, dear Tyler! Your memory is in our hearts forever!

Our thoughts are with the family during this sad time. We have been fortunate to meet Tyler and he was a genuinely nice human being.

Sending love and hugs to all the family from the Gordon’s.

I met Ty- incredible young grandson of my friends Carol and Cy Perkins when he was “in training” for his PCT hike.

I send my heartfelt condolences to all of you as you keep all your memories of him close.

I truly enjoyed learning more about Ty’s character and love of life as I read his obituary- Thanks for sharing❤️. 

God Bless🙏

This is Tyler's first multiple-day backpacking trip that inspired him to enjoy backpacking and adventure. I am extremely fortunate to have been part of this amazing adventure. Here is the link to the Trans-Catalina Hike Ty did with my crew. Our mutual friend Drew made this video to commemorate that hike that inspired us to take many more adventures after this trip. He grew so much from learning how to camp during that trip to hiking PCT in just 4.5 months with grit, determination, and enthusiasm to accomplish such a feat.

Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch…

I did not know Tyler--very much wish I did--but I know his parents.  Tyler was extremely lucky to have fantastic parents, people with the highest integrity who love life, love to have fun, and loved their children.  Tyler's life was tragically short, but by all accounts, it was a charmed life. 

Tyler was my first best friend. I am so glad to have the opportunity to share a lot of firsts with him. 

Some of my fondest memories growing up are playing sports with Tyler. Any sport. Any time. Any place. Baseball at West Sunset, kickball on the playground, hockey in the backyard, you name it. And even though he was 'the coach's son' on the baseball team-there was not an air of entitlement, smugness, or favoritism about it. Despite Tyler's athletic talents, he was just another one of the guys. All done with his signature Michael Jordan tongue wag.

Tyler's kindness and generosity was evident from an early age. His ability to charm his way into the heart of every teacher we shared was impressive. I was not surprised  to eventually find out Tyler was so involved with Best Buddies. Even in elementary school, he treated other students with developmental disabilities with the utmost dignity and respect-sometimes moreso than some teachers. In hindsight, the sensitivity and inclusion he exhibited was light years ahead for his age and the time.

What also struck me-even then-was the tenacity, discipline, and determination he attacked everything in life with. He brought a certain grit to everything. Undoubtedly, that same grit led to running marathons at 7 minute mile pace.

Tyler had a monumental impact on the most formative years of my life. And showed me how wonderful and beautiful friendship could be. All with a splash of deviousness. I will take that with me forever.

I was lucky enough to reconnect with him a couple of months before his passing. It was heartwarming to hear how content he was with the life he had made for himself up in Oregon. While cut much to short, it gives me solace to know he was able to find joy in life amongst his people and in his happy place.  

Tyler was such a sweet presence at the East Blair Housing Co-op! I miss him. I'm enjoying watching his plants grow that he started from seed <3

I met Tyler at a holiday gathering in La Mesa when he was a baby and recall how absolutely beautiful and happy he was, an out-of-the-park home run of a bouncing baby boy. Many years later,  when my family stayed in the Perkins' home in SF while they were out of town, Tyler hilariously booby-trapped his bedroom by piling coins on the top edge of his bedroom door and left us a funny note about how if the coins fell he'd know we had snooped--we still laugh about that. The Perkins' yearly Christmas letters burst love of family and  and we have treasured hearing about Tyler over the years in those letters and in news shared by my brother Dan, including about his amazing 2,600-mile trek from Mexico to Canada and his involvement with Best Buddies--this beautiful, kind and intelligent young man will live on in so many hearts, including ours.