More than 300 remembered Ted Karwin in West Linn service Wednesday
By Amanda Clifford
There were few dry eyes in Southlake Foursquare Church in West Linn on Wednesday as more than 300 of Ted Karwin's closest friends and family members gathered to celebrate the life of the late University of Portland senior.
Several dozen students, faculty and staff from UP attended the memorial.
Mr. Karwin, a senior marketing and management major, died March 24. Although he only attended the University for two years, Mr. Karwin touched the lives of many students and professors.
The body of Mr. Karwin, a well-liked senior set to graduate in less than two months, was found in his Northwest Portland apartment late in the afternoon of March 24. Multnomah County officials confirmed the cause of death was suicide.
The Rev. E. William Beauchamp, C.S.C., announced the news of Mr. Karwin's death to the UP community shortly after 11 a.m. March 27.
Pastor Kip Jacob of Southlake Foursquare Church conducted Wednesday's ceremony.
"I do not believe Ted's death was God's will," Jacob said. "But God will be there to accept each and every one of us as our time comes. Ted's destiny is between him and his creator."
Guests listened intently as many of Mr. Karwin's friends shared their favorite memories, some from him as a child and others of him as an adult. He was described as a man with a captivating smile, a great sense of humor, a good listener, kind, charismatic, loving and someone who made life better for all of those around him.
Tyler Running, a friend, spoke about Mr. Karwin's struggle with depression.
"I've lost too many of my close friends to depression," Running said. "If anything, we can learn from Ted. It's so important to openly communicate our struggles so that our friends and family can be there to support us."
Mr. Karwin's bright smile flashed across the screen during a closing video tribute.
Jacob ended the ceremony with The Lord's Prayer.
According to friend Ben Taketa, Mr. Karwin transferred to the University two years ago from Chapman University, a small school in Orange County in Southern California. He also attended Willamette University for a brief time. Mr. Karwin was a member of Alpha Kappa Psi, the business fraternity at Chapman, and when he transferred to UP in 2006 his passion for advertising and marketing led him to join the UP chapter.
ASUP President Kyle Bunch said Mr. Karwin was widely involved in University events and activities, even though he lived more than six miles from campus.
"He added so much to our community here at UP," Bunch said. "He was such a driven person, and he really made an impact on everyone around him."
Diane Martin, a business professor and Mr. Karwin's academic adviser, said Mr. Karwin was a well-respected student. "Ted was a joy in the classroom, engaged and thoughtful," Martin said. "He had a ready smile and a generous sense of humor. I know he was looking forward to graduation and a promising career in marketing. He is deeply missed."
Brian Paquette had been helping Mr. Karwin remodel his Northwest Portland apartment. A 27-year-old interior designer, Paquette described Mr. Karwin as an amazing friend. "He always made sure that you felt like you were the most important person in the room," Paquette said. "He exuded that kind of quality. If Ted was anything, he was predictable. When you texted him, he texted back. If you called him, he'd answer on the second ring or text you to tell you he couldn't talk. He was one of the best friends I ever had."
Taketa, who was a fraternity brother, recalled a day he was struggling with decisions about his future and Mr. Karwin helped him see the positive side of his life. "He said something to the effect of 'Ben you've been doing fine, you don't have anything to worry about,'" Taketa said. "It was the most perfect thing to say, at that moment. It made my whole day better."
Mr. Karwin's death shocked many interviewed by The Beacon, especially those who learned the upbeat senior had taken his own life. Suicide is the third leading cause of death for those ages 15-24 and the second leading cause of death of college students, according to the American Psychiatric Association. The association also reported that nearly half of all college students feel depressed at some point in time during their college careers, and that this depression is a leading cause of the high rates of suicide.
Along with his commitment to school, Mr. Karwin's friends and blog both talked about his interest in fashion and design. The self-described "denim snob" often wrote about the latest fashion trends and the progress on the remodel of his apartment.
Senior Matthew Hilton, who had been in classes with Mr. Karwin, said he was a charismatic and driven person. "If he wanted something, he would go out and get it. Although I only knew him for a little while, he left a lasting impression on me. "
In lieu of flowers, Mr. Karwin's family has asked that memorial contributions be made to support Oregon Research Institute's study of adolescent depression, the Oregon Humane Society or the American Cancer Society. For contribution information, contact Wilhelm's Portland Memorial at 503-236-4141.
