By
Andrew Doughman
April 28, 2008
Candlelit faces watched as more than 20 friends and family members tearfully spoke at a vigil last night for Chase Anderson, a 19-year-old freshman who died early Friday morning.
Anderson, a member of Phi Gamma Delta, or “Fiji” fraternity, died at 1:20 a.m. after colliding with a Metro bus while riding his longboard skateboard. He was not wearing a helmet. The accident occurred at Northeast 45th Street and University Way Northeast.
The bus was pulled over by police moments after the incident, and the driver was unaware that anything had happened, said Linda Thielke of King County Metro.
Police determined the driver was not at fault, although King Country Metro plans to conduct its own inquiry. The driver is currently on a paid leave of absence.
Hundreds of people gathered on the front lawn of the Fiji’s fraternity and listened to stories from those who knew Anderson best.
“He was my best friend to hang out with,” said Kyle Acheson, a fellow freshman Fiji. “He never judged people.”
Fraternity brothers and high school friends remembered Anderson through anecdotes that evoked both laughter and tears from speakers and the audience alike.
“I’ve known Chase since he was in second grade,” said Tom Blumer, father of a childhood friend of Anderson. “He was just a very creative, fun, lovable guy who just always was friendly to everyone.”
Anderson, a native of Bellevue, was admitted into the business school as a freshman and had written a letter concerning entrepreneurship as part of a class. The letter was read aloud by one of Anderson’s friends to show what kind of person Anderson was.
“I would love nothing more than to be working for myself, or owning a business with a friend and having that company contribute positively,” Anderson wrote. “I expect to remain someone who is original. The entrepreneur in me doesn’t want to fit in with the mold and do what everyone else thinks is great.”
Friends painted a picture of a bright, fun-loving young man. Speakers at the vigil recounted how Anderson once jumped into Drumheller Fountain and rode the chairlift to the top of a challenging ski course, undaunted though he had never been snowboarding before.
“If he would say anything, I think he’d say ‘love life,’” freshman Fiji Kyle Edwards said. “Everybody lost a good friend that day.”
The evening vigil concluded with a moment of silence. Afterward, the crowd lingered to reminisce, and Anderson’s friends comforted each other, often offering an embrace or a shoulder to lean upon.
After the vigil, Edwards spoke quietly and remarked, “If everybody had Chase’s mindset, all the problems in the world would be gone.”
29 Comments
#1 Scott K.
on April 28, 2008 at 8:41 p.m.(Seattle, WA | Unverified Name)
Any mention of toxicology reports? Eyewitness statements? I would like to to know more about why and how this happened rather than reading a eulogy =written by a frat member about a frat member.
#2 AG.
on April 28, 2008 at 9:10 p.m.(Lynnwood, WA | Unverified Name)
Does anyone know if Chase Anderson was a Christian? Anyone at all?
#3 j
on April 29, 2008 at 1:23 a.m.(Seattle, WA | Unverified Name)
I was wondering the same ... came across his facebook but doesn't look like he claimed any spiritual beliefs in his Religious Views.
God Bless his soul still...
#4 SL
on April 29, 2008 at 9:07 a.m.(UW Campus | Unverified Name)
Actually this wasn't written by a "frat member". So have some respect, and maybe learn a lesson and don't be so judgmental.
#5 CA
on April 29, 2008 at 10:09 a.m.(Seattle, WA | Unverified Name)
this article was written in regards to the VIGIL, which is why it is a eulogy. if you want to know about toxicology reports and eyewitness statements, you should probably search SPD police reports instead of posting on the wall for an article that was written about a night of mourning and was not written in regards to the incident itself.
think before you type.
#6 SoCal Fiji
on April 29, 2008 at 1:06 p.m.(La Jolla, CA | Unverified Name)
To the family and friends of Brother Anderson, I send my condolences. Phi Gams across the continent are sending you support and prayers.
Perge'
#7 RLH
on April 29, 2008 at 1:15 p.m.(Dallas, TX | Unverified Name)
God bless Chase, his family, friends, and Brother's.
"Scott", your cold comments make you sound like an ambulance chaser.
Perge'
#8 KB
on April 29, 2008 at 1:44 p.m.(Inver Grove Heights, MN | Unverified Name)
My heart goes out to Chase, his family, friends and brothers. From the article above, it sounds like Chase had a big future ahead of him, and a lot of support from those surrounding him.
It saddens me that the first two comments and reactions to this tragic news show no sympathy, but possibly that will be the same cold reaction when an article is someday written about "Scott" or "AG".
#9 TTUPhiGam
on April 29, 2008 at 2:22 p.m.(Cookeville, TN | Unverified Name)
Our Thoughts and prayers go out to brother Anderson Friends, Family, and the brothers in his chapter! Any loss of life so young is a tragedy, but espically a fellow brother!
As Always Brothers P'!
#10 Ukfiji
on April 29, 2008 at 2:23 p.m.(Clinton, TN | Unverified Name)
Rest in peace, brother, Upsilon Kappa is praying for you
#11 ANPhiGam
on April 29, 2008 at 3:31 p.m.(Albuquerque, NM | Unverified Name)
Our condolences, brother, we are praying for you and your family. We are damned proud that you are a FIJI.
Perge'
#12 SL
on April 29, 2008 at 3:38 p.m.(Seattle, WA | Unverified Name)
All of your guys' support is appreciated. He was a great person, and we were all lucky to know him for the time we did.
#13 FijiUNA
on April 29, 2008 at 5:08 p.m.(Tuscumbia, AL | Unverified Name)
Hope any brothers who read this know that they are in our prayers here at UNA. Stay safe brothers. And we know that we are all fraternity men and not "frat" guys.
Chase Goode
Perge!
#14 UVAPhiGam
on April 29, 2008 at 5:41 p.m.(Charlottesville, VA | Unverified Name)
Thoughts and prayers to the Brothers, Family, and Friends.
Proud to be a Phi Gam, God Bless and Perge!
#15 feegee
on April 29, 2008 at 6:45 p.m.(Fayetteville, AR | Unverified Name)
Your in our thoughts and prayers down here in Arkansas. Proud to be a Fiji.
Perge'
#16 Jordan
on April 29, 2008 at 7:18 p.m.(Cookeville, TN | Unverified Name)
It always saddening to hear news of a brothers passing. Thoughts go out to the chapter in Washington.
Perge
#17 Kevin D
on April 29, 2008 at 7:22 p.m.(San Jose, CA | Unverified Name)
God Bless Chase, the Anderson family, and all the Fiji's at UW as they go through this difficult time.
On a different note, Scott K you are a complete piece of crap that has no clue what the hell you are talking about. If you are really looking for that sort of information and would get some sort of sick satisfaction from finding any sort of answers (if you had half a brain and read any news report you will know he is studying) by all means contact the correct authorities, do not post on a memorial sort of page like this one.
Otherwise, shut up you insensitive prick. That "frat brother" who spoke so well about Chase has been a friend since 5th grade. And eyewitnesses did say it was a complete freak accident.
The question that I have is why are there still people like you in this world and people like Chase are taken so unfairly...now there's a question worth answering you complete douche bag.
#18 M
on April 29, 2008 at 7:28 p.m.(UW Campus | Unverified Name)
Scott K,
I could not be more offended by your remark. Human life far transcends where you choose to live in college. It is naive of you to assume that Chase was drinking just because he was in a fraternity. while Chase might seem to be just another statistic to you, he is deeply loved and missed by literally thousands. Please consider the implications of your comments before posting, and keep those thoughts to yourself. Chase exemplified everything that a person should aim to be.
Thank you for all your support everyone, it means the world to us in this tough time.
#19 AG.
on April 29, 2008 at 7:55 p.m.(Lynnwood, WA | Unverified Name)
Dear KB,
I don't know who you think you are saying that i have no sympathy towards this tragic accident. I honestly am shocked at your rude comment. Me asking if chase was a christian is me being sympathetic and caring about chase and his family and friends. Me asking if he was a christian is trying to find peace for friends, family and viewers online. If he was a christian then that should bring people peace and that should let them know that he's safely in heaven with our lord Jesus Christ.
ME WONDERING IF HE WAS A CHRISTIAN IS CARING! Me praying for his family, friends and everyone enfolded in the accident is caring. Don't sit at your computer, checking off comments for sympathy or not. You don't know what my reason for asking that question was. When i heard about this accident, i was terribly troubled and worried or chase and his salvation WHICH IS WHY I ASKED IF HE WAS A CHRISTIAN.
I hope all who read this become a christian today for the sake of your soul. YOUR SOUL IS AT STAKE! LEARN FROM THIS, PLEASE.
What you do in this life will affect you in the after life.
By the way KB,
I'm praying that Jesus Helps you to not be so judgmental and hard hearted. I hope next time you wouldn't throw out such a stupid and idiotic opinion or thought. Also, the fact that you think i was being unsympathetic and you wish that same thing on me if i were dead, what's that about? I would never wish that on anyone not even you, and you are not my favorite person at the moment. But i'll pray for you.
GOD BLESS YOU ALL AND I PRAY FOR YOUR REPENTANCE AND SALVATION.
I AM ALSO PRAYING FOR ANYONE AND EVERYONE INVOLVED IN THE TRAGIC ACCIDENT. I HOPE THEY FIND COMFORT A HEALING IN JESUS CHRIST!
#20 BaylorFIJI
on April 29, 2008 at 8:41 p.m.(Buenos Aires, Argentina | Unverified Name)
We are all praying for you in texas!
perge!
#21 paul arcudi
on April 30, 2008 at 5:33 a.m.(Seattle, WA | Unverified Name)
I am posting these comments as a person who had brief encounters with Chase Anderson. Chase was a customer of mine. Though he did not order food from me every dasy or even every week, he was a regular custumer. Every enconter i had with chase was pleasent. He always said thank you for the food i was bringing him, and he always tipped me. I Even had the chance to hang out with him once and watch a movie. he was a polite and friendly guy. I was deeply disturbed and saddened by this tragedy and am having trouble sleeping cause i can't get his pleasent face and personality out of my mind. In fact i don't want to. I just want to stop thinking about the accident. God bless all of you at figi house and good luck. I will also intruduce the Chase Anderson special for just your house. Any figi can have chase's favorite special anytime day or night.Just call for detals. I don't want to post it hear cause i don't want it to look like advertising. believe me i won't be making money on this special. it's just for you guys that were friends of chase!!
#22 VTFIJI
on April 30, 2008 at 6:08 a.m.(Blacksburg, VA | Unverified Name)
Prayers go out to the UW brothers and all the family. Rho Alpha brothers are keeping you all in our thoughts.
Perge!
#23 TCUFIJI
on April 30, 2008 at 11:46 a.m.(Dallas, TX | Unverified Name)
You our in our thoughts and prayers in Fort Worth, Texas. God Bless.
Perge!
#24 PAFIJI
on April 30, 2008 at 11:57 a.m.(Blacksburg, VA | Unverified Name)
I am also a Rho Alpha. Our prayers are with friends, family, and our UW brothers.
#25 UWFIJI
on April 30, 2008 at 4:35 p.m.(Madison, WI | Unverified Name)
#26 UWFIJI
on April 30, 2008 at 4:36 p.m.(Madison, WI | Unverified Name)
You are in our thoughts and prayers here in Madison.
#27 EI FIJI
on April 30, 2008 at 10:12 p.m.(Evansville, IN | Unverified Name)
To the family, friends and Brothers of Chase,
You are all in our thoughts and prayers. It is always a sad day to hear of a young Phi Gams passing, and we at the University of Evansvill FIJI chapter are deeply saddened and will be thinking of everyone involved. God Bless.
Jeff Bennett
Epsilon Iota
Phi Gamma Delta
#28 grandy pat
on May 3, 2008 at 10:43 a.m.(Kansas City, MO | Unverified Name)
Dear Anderson family: My heart is aching for you, mom, dad, family,friends,Fraternity Brothers,of Chase. I lost a son when he was 35 years old...and there is no way to describe the pain and grief. I just hope you can feel my arms around you and feel my tears for the loss of your beloved Chase..
TO AG...LET ME KNOW WHAT CHURCH YOU ATTEND AS I SURE AS H WILL MAKE SURE I WILL NOT GO THERE..YOU ARE DEMENTED..I REFER TO YOUR KIND AS "SUNDAY CHRISTIANS." AND THE REST OF THE WEEK YOU PREACH FOR THE DEVIL...
KUDOS TO KEVIN D!!!! HE IS TOO KIND WITH HIS WORDS OF DISCUST WITH YOU... YOU ARE WORSE THAN A PRICK, A PIECE OF CRAP..MF MIGHT ALSO BE ADDED...SORRY BUT THIS IS ONE ANGRY GRANDMA/MOTHER..
AND NO. 1/SCOTT K...WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD YOU BE CURIOUS ABOUT THE DETAILS OF HOW CHASE DIED, A TOXICOLOGY REPORT??? YOU ARE A MORBID, WELL, JUST REFERENCE ABOVE THE NAMES KEVIN D CALLED A.G. SOUNDS LIKE YOU TWO BELONG TO THE SAME CLUB... I'M SURE THE NAME OF THE CLUB IS A.. HOLES PERSONIFIED...
MY GRANDSON'S ARE FRATERNITY BROTHER OF CHASE'S
AND THEY WILL ALWAYS HOLD HIM CLOSE TO THEIR HEARTS FOR WHAT A WARM, CARING AND LOVING BROTHER HE WAS..AND WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HIS SMILING FACE AND THE JOY AND FUN HE BROUGHT TO EVERYONE AT THE FRATERNITY...
I DIDN'T KNOW CHASE..BUT I LOVE HIM..GOOD BYE "SUNSHINE" I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER YOU AND WISH I COULD HAVE KNOWN YOU..
#29 j.adorenygirl@gmail.com
on May 4, 2008 at 12:09 p.m.(Seattle, WA | Unverified Name)
A few points:
-Whoever said the comment about "from a frat brother to a frat brother" should realize that these kind of generalizations about our society set us back. And so what if both were frat brothers these are people and should not be generalized as a frat boy, especially in a time like this. You can't be so petty, Chase really was a nice person and to write him off so easily makes you come off as superfial and unintelligent. This was a person with friends and family and who only wanted good for this world, frat boy or not.
`The point of salvation. When I think of the "christan" God and his relatiosnship to his people it does not make sense to me, well at least the evengelical perspective on salvation. A good parent never wants something bad for his children, mostly they just want there kids to be good people and treat people well. Therefore if there is a God it would only make sense that he would want the same. If there is a God I am sure he would be more worried about how we treat each other versus if we believe in Christ. If you believe in Christ and don't treat people well or try to make some kind of progress in this world then would your parents be proud? I understand you had good intentions but does it really make sense.
I understand this is a difficult time for those who were surrounded by Chase but that he is still with you, the way you interact with people and with each other is influenced partially by his footprint therefore he is still with you. Bellevue boys I know this will be a hard summer but he will still be with you, having fun with you.
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