BETH WRIGHT: HUMBLE CHAD
I met Chad through Lara, who worked with my husband Clint at the US Forest Service. At first, they came to our place for dinner and vice versa. Lara was a ball of energy and Chad was a sea of calm.
Chad worked in a boring office job, as did I, and we shared laughs over the insanity of cubicle land and the motivation to exit it as quickly as possible. Eventually we moved to their neighborhood and we were both remodeling houses and congratulating each other on our impeccable taste and handiwork. He was also my buddy at USFS parties when Lara made him attend.
It took me a while to figure out that Chad and Lara both were phenomenal athletes - outstanding in any field. I just loved hanging out with them, laughing at their crazy lives - like listening to them discuss whether sleeping in an oxygen deprivation tent was a good idea. Chad's talents were plentiful - he made some amazing chocolate chip cookies with his professional mixer (that lived in its special cabinet with the spring-loaded shelf).
I don't remember the climb that was documented in the first of Chad's slide shows I attended, but it was clear that Chad had a passion and a talent for climbing that I would never fully comprehend.
What I loved about him, though, was that it never seemed to matter to him that I had no interest in climbing or understood his prowess in the sport - we were friends just the same and shared some great times. Chad and Lara guided Clint up Mt. Rainier and I wouldn't have trusted anyone more (else?) to do that. I regret that we grew apart after Lara's passing but am so happy to know that Chad filled every day with the activities and people he loved - for that he will always inspire me.
Rest in peace, Chad.