Loss of a team member
 

With the deepest sadness that I am forwarding the news that Griffen O'Brien, member of Team 116, passed away suddenly late Monday evening.

Griffen was a driving force during his tenure on the team, serving as driver, coach and pit crew member for several years. He basically defined the team personality during that time, sharing his persistent smile, infectious enthusiasm, and perennially upbeat outlook on life. After graduating in 2004, Griffen was still a frequent visitor to team gatherings and was well on his way to becoming a skilled mentor while working on his engineering degree at Drexel University. Griffen's younger brother Baxter is still on the team.

We ask that you please keep Baxter and the rest of Griffen's family in your thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.

-dave

Re: Loss of a team member
 

My condolences to the family and to your team. Life is fleeting and we often forget that.

Re: Loss of a team member
 

So sorry to hear about this Dave. My heart goes out to the family, friends and team of Griffith

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Dave,
thanks for including the photo because although I don't always recognize names, it is a jolt when you recognize the face, and it makes you realize how widespread this FIRST family is.
The family is in my prayers.

Re: Loss of a team member
 

This is very sad news and many of us will find that our words stick in our throats and can't find their way to our fingers to type.

Thank you for sharing a photo of Griffen with all of us.
My thoughts are with Baxter, the family, Team 116, and the FIRST community.
Peace,
Jane
Team 418

Re: Loss of a team member
 

Dave and the family of the departed,

Griffen will be in me and my family's prayers, I am truely saddend with the loss.

~Greg

Re: Loss of a team member
 

I always wanted to know what Calvin, from Calvin and Hobbes, would be like as a teenager... I found out when I met Griffen, and it was as wonderful as I ever thought it would be. I never thought it could hurt this much without something breaking.

For those of you who did meet him at any event, I'm glad, because you truly met someone amazing and special. I wish everyone could have met him. Please keep all of us, especially his family, in your hearts, because we need it so badly right now.

Heidi

Re: Loss of a team member
 

Thanks for sharing this with us. Our prayers are with them.

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My deepest sympathies to the O'Brien family and all of 116. May you all find peace.

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Griffen always was one to both encourage others to keep on going and to goof off at the same time. He was always there for me as a friend.



Wetzel

Re: Loss of a team member
 

On behalf of team 1345, our condolence to O'Brien family and Team 116.

Re: Loss of a team member
 

My condolences to Griffen's family, friends, and teammates.

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My condolences go out to 116 and the O'Brien family. Thanks for sharing this with us, I couldn't imagine how it feels to lose a great member of my team, it must be hard.

Re: Loss of a team member
 

Griffen was one of the finest team members, one of the finest human beings, I have ever known. He did everything for 116, from being the mascot to being a member of the drive and pit crews. He always kept an upbeat attitude, even when not in robotics. I met him a year before I entered 116, and he was amazing even then. He was one of my first friends on the team, and a character I will always remember. This is truly a horrible event for many in Herndon, not just 116. He was also a member of the band, and a vibrant character there as well. Everyone knew him, everyone will remember him.

Re: Loss of a team member
 

As a member of team 1351, we lament the passing away of a FIRST member. We express our condolences to 116, his family, friends, and all who knew him.

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I always tear up when I hear about the loss of a dedicated FIRST student; I give my deepest condolences to his family, friends, and anyone who he may have inspired along the way.

Re: Loss of a team member
 

Please give my deepest condolences to his family, friends, and team mates

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deepest condolences to the family and friends from all of team 4. he will be in our prayers.

take care.

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Prayers go out from MOE 365 to Griffen and his family and friends.

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Dave,
Please pass along our thoughts and prayers for Griffen's family and your team members. It is easy to see from the posts how wonderful a person he was. Remember the good times.

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Deepest condolences to all of those who knew Griffen. We will be keeping him in our prayers.

Re: Loss of a team member
 

I can remember meeting him my first year. He was one of the first people I met. He was such a funny guy, and so nice. Unfortunately, I hardly saw him afterward, randomly at competitions in my second and third year...I have no words, really...only that I am truly saddened by this. I saw Jeff Wetzel's post in his livejournal and almost hoped, prayed, it were a joke. Then I frantically searched for a thread to confirm, or not confirm, the post...

Griffen was such an awesome person, I am so saddened by this loss. I feel sorry for those who never met him, he was a joy.

To the family -- You're in my prayers. I'm sorry for your loss and pray you will cherish the memories you made with Griffen. I know I do.

Re: Loss of a team member
 

Griffen was one of the most enthusiastic, outgoing, dedicated students on the team. He truly embodied the spirit of FIRST, reminding me of why I joined and so enjoyed the program in the first place. His goofiness was legendary. He was truly one-of-a-kind, and we are all deeply saddened by his loss. My heart goes out to everyone who had the privilege of knowing Griffen, especially to Baxter and his parents.

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team 1270 sends our prayers to the team and the family in their time of sorrow and pain. its amazing how someone can be here on day and then gone the next especially if they has have a huge impact on the team and the first community

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My prayers are with Griffen's family and friends.

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My prayers and condolences go out to his friends and family. It always makes me sad when teams report losing a member.

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Mighty sorry to hear that. I never met him, but it is obvious he was great.
My prayers to his family, his friends, and his team. May God comfort you all. JH

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My deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of Griffen. It is apparent he had an incredible impact on all who knew him.

Andy B.

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To the family, friends, and teammates of Griffen Team 85 and myself offer prayers and deepest sympathy. May you help each other through this time of grief and always cherish the memories. It is amazing how one person can make a huge impact on many others.

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My heart goes out to Griffen's family, friends and teammates. I understand only too well - It's been nearly 2 years since we lost Karl, but it seems like yesterday. In my case, having team support at the time really helped.

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Very sorry to hear of Griffens passing, so young, and so dedicated to the ideals of FIRST, I am sure I speak for Team 122 when I express our most sincere condolences and sympathy to Baxter, the rest of his family and to all members of Team 116.

Dave F.

Re: Loss of a team member
 

To lose any member of a family, friend, fellow robotics member is a tragic hard to deal with event. All of us in the community of FIRST feel the impact and wish to share our deepest thoughts to the family and close friends that are dealing with this loss.

We are here to support each other.

Re: Loss of a team member
 

On behalf of team 1745 I send our condolences.

Re: Loss of a team member
 

Griffen was one of the greatest men that I have ever known. I only met him once but he was the nicest, funniest, and coolest guys ever. I knew him both through band stories and the few robotics meetings that he came to. We all love him and miss him very much. He will always be in our hearts.

RIP Griffen.

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When I started working with team 116 Griffin was one of the few students who went out of his way to try and get to know me and make me feel welcome. He was a character, but he always listened to what I had to say. He will be missed.

Here is a link to a local newspaper story about him:
http://www.observernews.com/stories/...6/obrien.shtml

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That article was on the front page of the Herndon Observer (and no, we're not THAT small of a town), a testament to how well known he was. His funeral this morning was one of the best attended any of us have ever seen.

Re: Loss of a team member
 

The death of any young adult is exceptionally sad. The person has gone through so much, yet so much more lies ahead. I only met Griffen a time or two, but he was so, well, vibrant, that I remember who he was. All the comments on this thread confirm my positive impressions of him.

I send my condolences to Griffen's family and team members, and it is wonderful to see that a benefit fund is being established in his name for his team.