The Snake River, located in the Pacific Northwest, offers many adventures to tourists, especially those who enjoy rafting and fishing. But with its frigid, fast-moving water, the river can also be deadly. Last August, it claimed the life of Alex Razzolini, a young man I came to know a little bit during his lacrosse days at Ohio Wesleyan.

 Alex played defense for the Battling Bishops during the same time my stepson Andy Princehorn served as an OWU midfielder. My wife and I were part of an ad hoc parents group that provided the players with food and beverages after each game. In this capacity, we got to know the players as individuals who had hopes and dreams for their lives after their lacrosse-playing days were over.

Alex always impressed me as a likeable, soft-spoken guy, which contrasted with the hard-nosed aggressiveness he displayed in competition. After graduation. Alex moved to Jackson, Wyoming and joined the staff of the Teton Valley Ranch Camp, eventually taking over the position of facilities director. He apparently impressed his co-workers with his strong work ethic and friendly demeanor.  One described “Razz” as “a truly honorable and extraordinary man” and as one “who would ride the toughest horse, but … also be the guy to comfort the sad and homesick kid.”

On August 30, 2016, Alex went fishing with his brother and a friend on the Snake River. At one point, the raft they were using floated away. Alex swam after it but never returned. Hours later, a sheriff’s deputy found his body by a gravel bar near a boat ramp. He was not wearing a life jacket, but it’s not clear whether that made a difference.

There are no words that can capture the sadness of this tragedy or the loss Alex’s death represents to those who knew him. For his parents, the loss of Alex is compounded by the death of his sister Kerry in a motor vehicle accident several years earlier. Sometimes life can be both brutal and unfair.

 A memorial service for Alex was held yesterday at Selby Stadium prior to the Ohio Wesleyan-Hiram lacrosse game.  Andy and another former teammate presented two framed OWU jerseys with Alex’s #36 to his parents and brothers. Many of those who came to honor Alex wore black #36 jerseys with “Razz” on the back. As for the lacrosse game, the Bishops won handily, 31-5. “Razz” would have been pleased.