Terry was truly one of a kind. He had a remarkable ability to be many different things to many different people, and you were lucky if you got to glimpse even one or two of his many sides. A polymath and autodidact with an incredible memory and a razor-sharp sense of humor, Terry had a way of keeping everyone on their toes.
I still remember the moment during our senior-year calculus class when he announced, out of the blue, that he was going to become an actuary. No one, not even the teacher, took him seriously—but, in true Terry fashion, he proved everyone wrong. He always had a knack for surprising us, whether with his intellect, his wit, or his determination.
Terry’s humor was unmatched. I’ll never forget how he had me in stitches recounting one of his first jobs after college—designing colostomy bags. It was the kind of story only Terry could tell, blending humor with an unexpected perspective on life.
He also had a deep love for exploration, often sharing stories of his adventures visiting national parks and exploring every corner of the United States, and it makes me smile to know he got to start his international travels with a trip to Paris earlier this year.
Although his life was tragically cut short, I find some solace in knowing that Terry truly lived. In just 40 years, he experienced more, laughed more, and inspired more than many people could in a century.
Terry touched so many lives, and his memory will remain a cherished part of mine. He was, and always will be, unforgettable.