August 29th 2008, I was searching online for folks I used to go to school with, when I stumbled across this post: http://www.augamers.org/Article58.html and though the timelines matched the time I was in collage, and thus Ryan as well, I kept thinking no, it must be someone else... I then found this link http://www.ryanstich.com and saw a beautifully done video and confirmed my worst fear... Ryan was gone.  

My son and I had the day off, and I proceeded to tell him about a friend I had in high school... while we were on the way to Dragon Con - got to get him started young... 

To put this in perspective, you have to realize that I went to Southside high school... I attended the school for my first 3 years of high school, and then went to J.L. Mann for all but one class, and Mauldin High for Debate... odd senior year but I would not want to have changed it...

Ryan was the guy in the group that would “go first” if our group was doing something that we had not done before... Ryan made everyone feel welcome... I remember talking to him about this girl that I had a crush on... he kept encouraging me to go ask her out... When ever you felt down, he realized something was wrong, and would do something goofy to make you feel better... he was that kind of guy...

I still recall getting a ride back from Ryan and his dad from soccer practice like it was yesterday.  I was sitting in the back seat, and they were talking... then I noticed that Ryan was calling his dad by his first name, not Dad... like I did... Funny I have a 6 year old now, and he does the same thing... every time he does it, i recall that afternoon. 

I regret that after I left Southside, I did not keep in touch with the friends I had made there... now I regret my timing in trying to get back in touch w/ my old friends.

-Deva