To know Sean Noland was to love him. He embraced life in a way seldom seen. His friendships were genuine and long lasting, knowing no bounds through time or space. Sean viewed each new day as a challenge and a blessing, and he tried to instill those feelings into each friend and family member.

Sean was always an active participant in any physical or athletic event that presented itself. In high school, he earned varsity letters in both football and basketball. Participating in sports helped open the door for Sean to meet and make a multitude of new friends. By the time he graduated from Antioch High School, Sean had established himself as a well-rounded, well-liked, and well-respected individual, not just in his school, but also in his community-at-large.

Very little changed for Sean while attending The University of Iowa. He joined the Phi Delta Theta fraternity and was instantly placed in positions of authority and leadership. He branched out beyond his own fraternity and made friends from all walks of life while attending Iowa. In fact, he was not only elected President of his fraternity, but he was also elected Vice-President of the entire University of Iowa Greek system. No small feat.

One of Sean's favorite loves was sailing. This was a love instilled in him by his beloved father, who, like Sean, was taken from this earth far too early. It was through Sean's passion and love for sailing that truly formed his character. Sailing taught Sean how to lead others. Sailing taught Sean how to keep a calm head while everyone around was losing theirs. Sailing taught Sean that there was always a new horizon laying over the next one,
and those horizons need to be explored.

Sean seemed to be destined for greatness. He had so much to live for. One could spend years puzzling over what makes the fates decide to take one our brightest stars before their light has reached its greatest potential. However, there is a much greater lesson to be learned from Sean's life than his death. He left us all a legacy to fulfill. That legacy is a love of life, friendship, and family. Please join us tonight and at future SNF events in spreading his love of life while also enriching the lives of our youth who demonstrate similar likes and interests.