We, the members of FIRST Team 271, have some terrible news to share with the FIRST community. On the night of February 8th, 2013, we lost one of our dearest friends and greatest mentors. Sullivan Chen, or Sulli, as we know him, has been fighting kidney cancer since the beginning of the Rebound Rumble season. He has been with the team longer than any other member. He is also the reason that we have grown so far as a team. Never before has a mentor thanked our parents for letting him teach us about engineering, and never before has one man ever been so integral in our team, yet so unwilling to accept credit for his work. We ask only that you keep his family your thoughts during this time.
Regards and Thank You,
FIRST Team 271
If anybody in the FIRST community knew Sulli, as we know many people do, please PM the following accounts for information about the services:
Pmangels17
Richard Varone
Splatter
Additionally, if anybody has photos of Sulli, we would greatly appreciate access to them.
I think we’re all still in shock from the news, I don’t even know where to begin. Sulli was not only a great man and mentor but was family to not only me but many of the other mentors, alumni and students. Nothing I can do or say at this point will ever be able to show how much he truly means to us, he will be deeply missed.
Also I’d like to thank all the teams that have provided their support to us during this rough time, 103, 375, 533, list goes on.
Also, I’d like to add that this year’s robot will be named Sulli, and we will be nominating him for a Woodie Flowers Finalist Award. I wish we could do so much more for a man that has inspired me, and many others, to push the limits of possibility in every way. He is family to all of us on the team. We can never do enough to truly repay him for what he has given us, and as Richie said, thanks to all the teams that have helped us through this.
Over the years, starting way back at VCU in 2002, Rosie and the Marauders have had a relationship that is typical of many FIRST teams, one of mutual admiration and respect. Losing Sulli will be a big loss, but, move ahead and prosper…
I am deeply sorry for the loss of your team member, Sulli. Cancer is a nasty disease to deal with. He will be in my thoughts as the build season closes.
Sulli sounds like an amazing person. Wherever he is, I know he will bless your team and your robot to great heights. May he rest in peace, and I wish your team the best of luck this season. Malama pono, Sulli. Take care.
FIRST Team 353 is deeply sorry for your loss; let us know if there is anything you need, especially with Build Season bearing down upon us.
We would like to extend our deepest condolences to FIRST Team 271. We remember Sullivan Chen well; before and even during his partnership with Team 271, the Mechanical Marauders, he often helped our team in several ways. We can fondly recall him going to the shop and giving presentations of several programs; we know what an asset he was, to both your team and ours. Beyond that, and more importantly, he was a friend to all and a wonderful person.
We hope Sulli rests in peace, and we know that Team 271 will make him proud in the coming season.