Four years ago my roommate Chris shared with Adam and me that his brother had Battens disease. He shared that this disease caused a person’s body to slowly degenerate and eventually fail. That was our freshman year of college, and I got met David that year. He was a handsome sixteen year-old at the time. Loved sports, especially the Yankees (much to my dismay), and quickly became a big fan of mine, and I of him.

David
Over the next four years of school, I saw David on several other occasions and spoke with him fairly regularly on the phone when he would call Chris. He had a quick laugh and an incredibly loving personality. He also greatly enjoyed being in the presence of girls. On one particular occasion, about a year ago, I remember introducing David to a couple of our female friends. After being introduced, I told David that he had just met some very pretty girls. His nervous smile and giggle sent us all into stitches.
The three of us, Chris, Adam and I, were put together our freshman year in a forced triple with about 4 square feet of open floor space. Luckily, we very quickly became very close friends. All three of us would agree that it was undeniably a “God thing.” Shortly after Chris told us about his brother’s disease, Adam and I talked decided that we would do whatever it took to be there for Chris when the time came.
We continued to live together for the first three years of college, sometimes having to fight with the school so that the three of us could remain in the same room. We slowly got to know Chris’ family and even had his younger brother, Daniel, stay with us on a few occasions. Unfortunately for Chris, we found out very quickly that his youngest brother was way cooler than he’d ever be and used that for additional ammo for the continuous rounds of picking on each other we had. We joke that we pick on those we love, so Adam Chris and I love each other a lot.
Throughout the time we roomed together at Gordon, we spent many, many hours praying for each other, our families and our friends. I remember many occasions where we all held each other through tears of pain, sobbing into one another’s shoulders We really became a family for each other away from home. Continuously in the back of Adam’s and my mind was that we would be there for Chris. We didn’t know when, and we didn’t know that I’d be in Colorado and he’d be in New Hampshire when that call finally came.

Sean, Adam, Chris, Nate, Dan
David passed away at 20 years of age, October 22nd, 2009. I can’t describe the feeling of traveling so far and finally seeing Chris come around the corner in his home and hugging tightly a man who I have held and has held me on so many occasions throughout the past years. Or then seeing his younger brother, Daniel who has persevered with amazing fortitude the last few months of David’s life, and pulling him equally close in a tight hug. There are just no words. An immense feeling of helplessness, yet knowing that you’ve done all you can do by simply being there with them.
David’s service was an amazing testimony of a life well lived for God. I wish I knew how many people where there, but suffice it to say that there were hundreds and hundreds of people there, and I have no doubt that that was only a fraction of the lives David touched. (If you’d like to see the service you can watch it here).
I learned, through the stories I heard about David, and the reading of some of his essays, that he was not always happy and cheerful. He did struggle with the fact that he slowly lost his eyesight and ability to play with other kids. He loved sports, especially baseball and football, but was not really able to play either of them. What is so amazing about David is that it was his faith in Christ that allowed him to have joy amidst his knowledge that he was slowly loosing abilities to function. I learned that he had a tender heart and compassion for everyone he met who were facing hardships of any kind. I learned that he would offer to pray for people he met in restaurants and would share his faith freely. It was his hope in Christ that gave him strength and joy that he would one day be able to see again. So it is with very mixed feelings of joy and sadness that we said goodbye to such a great man of God.
I encourage you to take a look at Chris’ dad’s blog to read a powerful testimony from David http://davidpfohl.blogspot.com/.
Some closing words:
Chris – I don’t know what to say. You have been such a source of encouragement and accountability to me. I deeply appreciate all of the laughter, prayers, conversations and time the three of us have shared together and I praise God because of you. I hope that someday soon we will live closer together again and I look forward to the many, many years ahead. You and Adam have been the closest thing to brothers I have ever had. I love you.
Daniel – I worry that you might think that you don’t have friends that would drop everything and travel hundreds of miles to be with you. There is no doubt in my mind that you do have such friends. And I’m sure that I speak for both Adam and I when I say you are always welcome in both our homes, and we will always do whatever we can for you.
Mr. and Mrs. Pfohl – It’s been an incredible privilege to walk with your son Chris through some of this time, and an extreme honor that you allowed us into your home so much during a time of intimate family celebration and mourning. Your faith and perseverance will always be an example for me to follow.
David – I’m sorry that we did not get to know each other more on this side of eternity, but I do know that you had many, many amazing friends here and I rejoice in the thought of you being fully restored. You have taught me much in the little I have known you, and you have forever brought new meaning to songs such as “Amazing Grace,” “It is well” and “Blessed be the Name of the Lord.” Your life has been a great testimony of God to me and many others, and I know that it will continue to be that to many. You ran and fought well, and I will see you again.