I've had a few days (and about 10,000 miles) to collect my thoughts and wanted to share with you a bit more about Ned:
Reading Viresh's post on the blog about "always looking up to Ned" really resonated with me, because in a lot of ways I thought of Ned as a big brother. Not the kind who tells you what to do and acts like the boss but the kind who always makes sure you're included, made to feel part of the group, made to feel special. We became friends because of our mutual love of flying and lots of shared commonalities: we'd both grown up in the Bay Area, we had close-knit familites, and I'd like to think we shared many of the same values. I also remember the first time I introduced Sheryn (now my wife) to Ned; I think I told her something like, "Wait 'til you hear Ned's laugh - it is infectious and you will never forget it!"
As the years passed, Ned and I became close friends. He provided guidance and support when I needed it most, and to this day one of the greatest honors in my life was being able to stand up for Ned and Vicki as his best man at their Indian wedding ceremony.
Ned made a huge impression on me by the way he chose to live his life. I told Vicki las weekend that I really don't think I've met someone who had his priorities straight better than Ned. He always put his family and friends first, without question and without exception. Anytime I had an idea for a get-together or something fun, he would almost be shouting through the phone, "Let's do it!" His enthusiasm for our friendship, his obvious love for Vicki and Shaan and everything in his life that mattered, was really unparalleled. Even when times were tough
tough, Ned had a positive attitude and always strove to grab life by the horns. I remember Ned's email organizing everyone to attend a memorial service for Kalpana Chawla, an astronaut and West Valley member who perished in the Columbia disaster. The subject line was "We need to celebrate her LIFE!!" That was just Ned, completely....someone who celebrated life and everyone around him who he loved, without limits.
I was really touched to hear that something like 600 people came to the funeral last Friday. I'd be willing to bet that nearly every one of them would say they felt like Ned wasn't just someone they knew, but that he was one of their "best friends." How many people in the world could possibly leave a legacy like that?
Sheryn and I loved Ned so much, and I'm going to miss his smile, his laugh, his enthusiasm, and most of all his loyal and devoted friendship for the rest of my life.
-Alexander
