Julia
My heart hurts hearing that Joel has passed away. Joel was a good friend from college, though we haven't been in touch in years. We had some memorable and fun times; he was the first person to welcome me from Pasadena. Joel was an important part of our circle of friends at college. The Drop-in Dance crew, comparing notes on motorcycle maintenance, our gatherings at Andrew's house, and all the card games, movies, Star Trek, and nerdy sci-fi things we tried to keep up with. We enjoyed Dr. Smith's Shakespeare classes and taught our friends about Shakespearean insults. Joel introduced me to my favorite author. He helped me get a job at Annie's Teahouse at a critical juncture for me. I still have the PR24 he made for our junior year costume date for a speech club event (he dressed as a cop, and I was a troublemaker). We drew all sorts of laughs across campus and had fun with that. We volunteered in Outreach together, and while he was accepted for an overseas project and I wasn't, we took all those classes and did volunteer work together, too. I remember when he got back from Thailand, and we piled into someone's car to go see him in the hospital. We were relieved he was going to be ok and while it wasn't how he imagined seeing us all again, it was just good to have him back from overseas. Joel was encouraging and naturally kind; I always thought highly of him and wasn't alone in that opinion. He was exceptionally polite but wasn't stuffy. And the example of unconditional kindness he demonstrated to me and others has always been a foundation to lean on in my "pay it forward" practice in life. Someone used the word patient to describe him, and I agree. Joel was patient with everyone. Keeping up with friends after college is always difficult when living far apart, especially when raising kids and heavy life things are happening. I'm glad Joel visited John and me a couple of times. I'm so sad to learn of his passing. My love and prayers for Joel's family and those who love him.