Today I learned that my school has lost one of its own. Doug was an incredibly bright and curious student who always thought of others first. Although I had the pleasure of teaching him briefly during a two-week seminar on the Civil Rights Movement this past spring, Doug and I had numerous conversations during the school year about all kinds of things. He was one of those kids that made going to work an absolute pleasure. Doug was a real leader and, as the obituary from the Charlottesville Daily Progress notes, he was going to serve as the school’s student body president for the coming year. My thoughts go out to his family and friends.
Update (08/07): The Charlottesville Daily Progress featured a front-page story about Doug. Yesterday the school held an informal memorial service for Doug which drew a large crowd of students, teachers, and family. I am so impressed with our students and the way they’ve come together and supported one another. Doug’s funeral will take place tomorrow. I am going to miss him.
Update: Doug’s friends have created a number of Facebook pages that can be found here, here, and here. What a wonderful use of technology to bring people closer together.
Douglas Robert Wardle
Douglas Robert Wardle passed away Wednesday, August 2, 2007, in Managua, Nicaragua, while on a mission trip to the village of Ticuantepe, with his classmates and his father, that was led by Bridges to Community.
He was born April 2, 1990, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He is survived by his parents, Bill and Nancy; his brother, John; his sister, Kelly; and of course, Lucy, his dog. His grandmothers, Corinne Wardle and Lola Wulchin, and his aunts and uncles, Bob and Sandi Wardle, Doug and Carol Wardle, Megan and Mike Neary, Barbara and Mike Mozur, Steve and Benita Wulchin, and Greg and Ellen Wulchin also survive him.
His cousins, that he loved so much, are Robert, Michael, Rachel, Ryan, Josh, Kevin, Samantha, Chad, Terra, Ross, Jamie, Kaysie, Eric, Laura, Mark, Teresa, David, Kyle, Eric, Adam, Kevin and Elise.
His grandfathers, Robert Wardle and John Wulchin, and his cousin, Maggie, preceded him in death.
Douglas had many friends, all of them very special to him.
Douglas was an honor student at St. Anne’s-Belfield School where he was a rising senior and had been elected President of the School for the 2007-2008 school year. He was on the varsity soccer team, performed in school plays and was active in student government. In May, he was awarded the College Book Award for outstanding academic achievement and commitment to learning. His volunteer work included two trips to Nicaragua to build houses for low-income families and helping at the Discovery Museum and the Piedmont Family YMCA Day Camp. Douglas’ caring spirit, ever-present smile and sense of humor will continue to light up our lives. He will be greatly missed.
The conflicted world Douglas leaves behind, those who love him so dearly, and those whose only contact is a blog entry yielding wistfulness about the great contributions he would have made, are so much the poorer that he is gone, though he is infinitely better. My deepest condolences and prayers for his family, friends, and school.