Provided by Dana Linsky
By Sean Colvin Staff writer
A memorial service was held Nov. 9 to honor the memory of Corey Losch, a junior from Millerstown, Pennsylvania who died in a car accident on Sept. 25.
Photo collages of Losch stood on easels around Weber Chapel displaying pictures of a young man with a passion for life. In those pictures, Losch was hunting, fishing, hiking, working out, running marathons and spending time with the people close to him. In many of the photos Losch was smiling, making faces or embracing friends and family.
At the service, Losch’s mother Pamela Losch, who did not speak at his funeral, spoke openly about his life and accomplishments. Losch and his mother would often work out together, and he pushed his mother to work harder, to become stronger.
Often, Losch would wait for his mother during runs or return to her after completing races to help her finish.
“He was my motivator,” she said. “He was always trying something new, and so was I, whether I wanted to or not.”
She continued, “His commitment to learning and helping others is one of the many things I will always be proud of him for.”
In the audience, members of Phi Beta Sigma wore blue bandanas, a symbol of brotherhood and remembrance of their fallen friend. Junior James Norman, fellow fraternity brother and best friend, who was also in the accident that killed Losch, spoke during the ceremony.
Norman said, “Corey was about to take the world by storm.” He added, “We all watched Corey transform in front of our very eyes. We all saw the shy Corey become a more vocal man who always added valuable input to whatever situation.”
On top of being dedicated to his studies and remaining on the dean’s list, Losch was a group leader for Enactus and worked a part-time job as a CrossFit instructor in Selinsgrove.
Chaplain Scott Kershner offered some advice.
“There are some who will say that ‘It’s all part of God’s plan,’” Kershner said. “Saying that everything is part of God’s plan is not helpful, and it is not good news. That’s trying to rationalize and theologize your way around human grief and injustice.”
Kershner encouraged the audience to move away from the question of “why?” and move toward loving each other.
“More important is the care, comfort, solidarity and love we extend to one another in the midst of such loss,” he said.
Senior John “C.J.” Williams, who is also a member of Phi Beta Sigma and friend of Losch’s, said, “A lot of people just need someone to talk to and that’s why I think this whole process is very important.”
Norman said that he still struggles sometimes with the actuality of Losch’s death.
“Sometimes when I get time to myself and reminisce about one of the greatest human beings I have ever met, I am brought to tears. It is hard and always will be hard to cope with this reality, and although this fact remains, we have to remember that Corey always moved forward.”
Norman encouraged the audience to live their lives in the memory of Losch and to not forget his determination and forward-thinking.
Norman said, “Live life with no regrets and look to the next adventure. Cherish the great memories and lessons he taught you. It is an honor to be able to carry his memory with me for the rest of my life.”
