IN MEMORY OF:
Kristopher Thomas Stewart
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On October 31st, 2004, the Butler community lost a beloved friend. Kristopher Stewart was an amazing young man who lived every day to its fullest. His laugh was contagious and his smile infectious. A teammate to many, a student to others and a friend to everyone, Kristopher was involved in numerous activities on campus. But even now, when we think of him, the members of the Butler Crew team remember Kris as a rower.
Because he touched the lives of so many of us, the Butler Crew Team dedicated its fundraising efforts in 2005 to raising money for the purchase of a new men's racing shell named appropriately - the Kristopher T. Stewart.
On Halloween weekend 2005, we received our new shell in Philadelphia, PA at the Head of the Schuylkill Regatta, ironically where Kristopher rowed his last race. It was truly an emotional weekend for the entire team. Kristopher's parents and other family members joined us at the race site as we christened the new boat with water from both our home course (Eagle Creek) as well as from the Schuylkill River.
About Kristopher
(Written by Kristopher's parents, Dan and Linda Stewart)
Kristopher Thomas Stewart was born May 3rd, 1983 to Dan and Linda and joined his Heavenly Father October 31st, 2004 . He was very close to his sister Erin who was his friend, his confidant and his advisor. He attained the rank of Eagle Scout at the age of 15 and served as Assistant Scout Master. He was a guitarist and a composer. He was a writer and author. Kris was an insatiable reader who enjoyed both classic and esoteric literature. He reveled in extreme sports including rock climbing, skydiving, mountain biking and backpacking. Kris found his second home at Butler University in Indianapolis , IN where he was a pre-med student.
In addition to his studies, he was involved in research programs and worked in the trauma center at a local hospital. His goal was to become a doctor; his dream according to his professors was to forgo the trappings of a normal practice and dedicate his life to "Doctors Without Borders" - he traveled to Ecuador in the summer of 2004 as a support staffer to this program. Kris was filled with a sincere compassion for others irrespective of their position in life; he had an infectious sense of humor and a smile that would light up a room no matter how somber the mood. In his final year at Butler , he discovered a new passion - Rowing. He loved the practice, the competition and, most of all, his coaches and teammates.
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