"Always laughing in the midst of power"

I met Philip C. Patrie on in 2002, freshman move-in day at Anderson University. I settled into my dorm room in Myers Hall and caddy (or is it kitty) corner was Phil's room. We struck up a conversation on the way over to a movie/ice cream social outside of Byrum Hall. Within five minutes we were discussing Croquet and Nintendo -- the former of which we later had an argument over and the latter of which we share a passion for to this day...and for the record, I believe I won that very last game of Tecmo Bowl after a long losing streak of about five games.

That night we rode together to the Meijers shopping trip and I remember Phil riding the grocery carts recklessly throughout the store and pulling out his roll of sequenced $2 bills he kept on hand just in case. He had me laughing the entire evening. It was obvious we would be friends.

Arguably the most rounded Halo player in Myers Hall -- we'd have to dig out his old stat sheets to know for sure -- Responsible Jon was always making a run at the flag, but never forfeiting defense along the way. My arch enemy, whom I could usually only kill with a "Chucky"-style suicidal grenade.

A resourceful fellow, Phil is prepared for anything, including the unlikely event of being locked into a locker in the Fine Arts building. No need to call security or go get a tool set. Phil happens to have everything he needs in his pockets to dismantle the lock and escape.

Perhaps one of my funnest college memories, came in a trip in Goldzilla down Taco Bell after a university-sponsored event. The fog machine had filled up the car, strobe lights and Deep Purple blasting through the PA had led to a dance party in the van. When the song ended, we stumbled out of the car, laughing and surrounded by a cloud of smoke. To the line of students outside of Taco Bell, it was a shady sight to say the least, making it all the funnier.

Loft-bulding expert (in dorm or house), video game extraordinaire, seller of used TVs (two to me), perhaps the loudest chapel-goer in the crowd, founding Lounge member, hookah enthusiast, Goldzilla driving, fog machining, PA system addresser to unsuspecting bystanders, accordian playing, Christmas Sweater and S.A.D. party-planner, the funniest guy I know, and a true friend.

As Phil put it when I said my goodbyes at his wedding on Saturday, "These kinds of friendships last a lifetime." It's only been six years and will no doubt be a lifetime making great memories.