We remember Ethan as year four comes to a close and every moment of the days throughout. Especially today… with a favorite Korean beef rib soup for dinner and sharing our thoughts of the ways in which we miss him. Just being together helps as we reminisce. Our minds always move to what we think he would be up to now… organic chemistry and polymer materials, gaming, bible study, hockey life, anime music and for sure looking to discover more Pokémon in the vast universe.

I recall Ethan’s love for Pokémon (short for “pocket monsters”) started very early in his life. By the time he started elementary school, the Pokémon Universe was alive and well in our neighborhood. As friends shared trading cards and video game tips, Ethan sought to understand the types of characters which brought the traditional TCG (trading card game) to life in our home. One of the very first Pokédex (Pokémon database with character traits and stats) he grasped was “The Complete Pokémon Pocket Guide” vol 1 and 2 (ie. the little blue book you see in the pictures). This lifeline for learning is still part of his treasured reads. That is Ethan… He loved diving into every detail and understanding how one part supports the whole for just about everything he took interest in. The Pokémon Universe was a natural fit for his curious-self.

By the time he entered college at Purdue University, we heard of all the ways in which he continued to share the Pokémon Universe with friends. By his Junior year, Ethan was intensely involved as player and President of the Purdue University Battle Association (PUBA), a Pokémon Draft League on campus. He built a lasting legacy as he mentored teams and encouraged others to join in community. His Jolteon was always close by, an ever present friend sharing in the fun. As a highly competitive guy, Ethan had become a dedicated ladder player, competing in VGC (Video Game Championships) to practice strategies and build his teams experience.

Ethan routinely used his creative gifts to share his favorites in the circles of community he took part in. Talented in model arts and 3D printing, Ethan used these talents to create uniquely personalized artifacts that showcased the joy he found in Pokémon characters. Many favorite pins adorned his backpacks or jackets as he walked the halls of school. He crafted his own storage box for TCG Pokémon cards and effects needed for game play. There are so many ways in which Ethan brought the Pokémon Universe into his everyday life, well beyond the cards and traditional games.