Rio Nicholas - Remembrances

Memorial Ceremony at Student Center.
Colorado School of Mines, Golden Co.
By Sigma Phi Epsilon brothers

I received an e-mail the other day of a story about a man who was very sick and was visiting his doctor. The man told his doctor that he was afraid to die and wanted to know what lies on the other side. The doctor replied, " I don't know." The man was very distraught about the doctor's response and rebuked him for it. The doctor was holding the handle to a door, the other side of which came sounds of scratching and whining. Upon opening the door, his dog sprang into the room and leaped on him with an eager show of gladness. Turning to the patient, the doctor said, "Did you notice my dog? He's never been in this room before. He didn't know what was inside. He knew nothing except that his master was here, and when the door opened he sprang in without fear. I know little of what is n the other side of death, but I do know one thing: I know my Master is ther, and that is enough. And when the door opens, I will pass through it with gladness, and with no fear."
Death isnot the end, but a new beginning. "Death's but one mor tomorrow" as Silas Mitchell would say. It is the transition between life here on Earth, and life up in heaven. In Romans 8: 37-39, the aposttle Paul reminds us that not even death can separate us from the love of God. Hebrews 13:5 reminds us that God will never leave us nor forsake us. Yet death is such a hard thing to understand, and is even harder when mourning the loss of a loved one. Theodore Chickering Williams knew this all to well. He said "Death is an angel with two faces: To us he turns a face of terror and grief, blighting all things fair: The other burns with glory of the stars, and love is there.: As we mourn the loss of Rio, let us not lean on our own understanding, but be ever mindful and comforted knowing that he is in a better place. For it is said in Philippians 4: 7, "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
John Allston once said " The only thing you take with you when you're gone is what you leave behind." After just a few short minutes of visiting with those whom knew Rio best, one would learn of how he enriched their lives. How he lived life to the fullest, and how he was rarely seen without a smile on his face. Rio had a way of lifting our spirits and showing us how to enjoy lif again. Alexander Pope must have been speaking about Rio when he said "In death a hero, as in life a friend!" Rio was a great son, brother, and friend to us all. Let his life here on earth be a lesson to us. Let us all remember what is truly important. As was said in the play Beaumont and Fletcher, " Death hath so may doors to let out life," let us honor Rio by living our lives to fullest, never taking a second for granted. This is what Rio would have wanted

Joe Zufall
Sigma Phi Epsilon
CSM
Golden, Co.