Kevin's Remembrance

The following is the remembrance that will run in the Santa Cruz County papers this weekend:


Kevin Bradley Williams, aged 22, passed away at sunset on October 4, 2010. He died peacefully in the loving embraces of his fiancée, Kathlin Ramsdell, his mother Carolyn, his father Rich and his sister Stacy. Kevin’s close friend Tyler Domsic, who flew in from Sweden that afternoon, was also by Kevin’s side. Kevin bravely fought an inoperable brain tumor for the last year of his life, demonstrating courage and strength in trying to beat the unbeatable.

Kevin grew up in Aptos attending Valencia Elementary, Aptos Jr. High and Aptos High. He was captain of both the Aptos High water polo and volleyball teams. Kevin graduated fourth in Aptos High’s Class of 2006. Kevin was a long time Cabrillo Thresher, played Bear Club volleyball and enjoyed disc golf. He “loved the tube,” so he frequently kneeboarded at the Hook and Manresa. Kevin shredded, jumped off cornices and submerged himself in powder most winter weekends at Kirkwood. During his high school summers, Kevin was employed by Radiology Medical Group of Santa Cruz County.

Kevin considered upstate New York his second home. Kevin and his beloved Kathlin were on track to graduate with honors from Colgate University’s class of 2010. There, Kevin was captain of the water polo team, raced on the ski team, double majored in Geography and Geology, was in the Geography honor society and made the dean’s list every semester. Kevin and Kathlin’s love for earth science and the outdoors led them to spend a semester at Canterbury University in Christchurch, New Zealand. Kevin and Kathlin traveled in a campervan while they saw as much as they could of the North and South Islands’ geologic and geographic diversity. As a Fellow at the Upstate Institute for two summers, Kevin used his geography training to work on land use issues in Cazenovia, NY.

Kevin understood the preciousness of life. During his 22 years, Kevin experienced more joy, laughter and love than many experience in a long lifetime.

A celebration of Kevin’s life will be held at Twin Lakes Church in Aptos on Thursday, October 14, at 5:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions towards a permanent memorial in the Geography/Geology Departments can be made to the Kevin Williams Memorial Fund at Colgate University. Make checks payable to Colgate University, and specify “Kevin Williams Memorial Fund” on the memo line. Send donations to Colgate University, Gift Records, 13 Oak Drive, Hamilton, NY 13346.