By Ben Wright
Tyler Steen, 21 years old and an industrial design major from Connecticut was found dead in an alley on Congress Lane Dec. 14. The whys and wherefores are still being worked out, but, as facts, they do little to describe the life, the warmth, the smile, the kindness and compassion that was lost that night.
Tyler was a friend of mine. We shared a major, a few classes, and a common group of friends. Whenever I saw him he would actually stop and talk to me. Even though in the short time that I knew him we interacted enough to only be acquaintances, I considered him a true friend.
Before his death was announced officially, word spread among friends and family from around the world. We came together, mourning him on Facebook, texting and calling each other in shock. Pages of comments from friends, new and old, filled up his profile page and two groups have been formed in mourning.
Talking to friends, common themes emerged when they tried to sum up his personality.
“He was friendly, charming, funny, mature beyond his years, easy to talk to and a great listener. He was so optimistic, no matter what situation he found himself in,” Lindsey Hopkins, a third-year fashion merchandising major said. ” He absolutely adored his cat, Nubs, and treated her like his queen. He had so much love to give, and it rubbed off on everyone he knew,” she added.
“There was a lot of love and life pent up in his heart and I’m positive that everyone who knew him saw it, even when he was upset or blue.” third-year photography major Alphonso Whitfield said.
Others talked about how easy he was to get along with, how he always kept his word, how he would do just about anything for anyone. Still others talked about his hospitality.
Illustration alumnus and former roommate Jason Stallings added, “[Tyler] was a very warm and welcoming person and was always there to listen and talk as a friend. He always had a positive and understanding view about the world. I feel I learned a lot from him and I’ll miss him a great deal.”
“The first time I met him at my first day at SCAD I thought he was a senior helping newcomers around because he was so mature and caring,” third year industrial design major Dhymond Nicholls said. “There is no one else in the world like him.”
I felt that too. In a class we took together he said he admired my work ethic and projects, even though his were always far better than mine. He always had something nice to say, even if my project was literally falling apart. In a major known for its cutthroat competition, his truly kind and compassionate nature drew me in.
Childhood friend Christian Leighton, a junior at Purdue, shared memories as well.
“Tyler was (among other things) very forgive-and-forget. He would not hold a grudge against you for transgressing him; he was understanding,” Leighton said.
“I noticed this a few times, once when I poked him in the eye in the car, and again after a week-long argument over a girl in middle school,” he added.
Many friends have been reminiscing about good times they shared with Tyler.
“He always gave us a place to unwind from our hectic schedules and stress. He loved to show people a good time, whether it be cooking out for everyone to enjoy, or watching movies or listening to music and talking,” Hopkins said.
“We had so many memorable times together and it’s sad to think I can’t have just one more,” third year industrial design major Jessica Helbig said.
As the days go on, the outpouring of love for Tyler grows. SCAD is offering grief counseling through Counseling and Student Support Services, reachable at (912) 525-6971 or by e-mailing counseling@scad.edu.
Others have found comfort remembering the plethora of good times we shared with Tyler, and talking to anyone in the huge, diverse group of people who knew and loved him.
Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced later this week.
