The summer after my freshman year of college I got to work out in Jackson, WY. Working out in Jackson I would cross paths with Rad a good bit, one day I had heard that Rad was making plans to drive down to Salt Lake City to see one of our mutual friends who was at the time going through a rehabilitation program, coincidentally enough the day Rad was planning on going was one of my off-days at work. Rad had no problem with me becoming a late addition to his trip down to Salt Lake City and tagging along on the 4 hour drive down to surprise our friend. There wasn't much planned for the day trip but that didn’t bother us because we knew what we were doing was something that would mean a lot for our friend. He knew Rad was coming but was totally unaware that I was going to be visiting with him. Rad and I really wanted to surprise him so when we got close to the facility where he was staying we made a plan. I was going to hop out of the car a few blocks from the rehab center, Rad was then going to pick-up our friend and then pick me up on the side of the street like some hitchhiking bum. It was hilarious doing that and surprised the hell out of our buddy. It's a memory I'll hold onto forever.
There were a ton of great things I remember from that trip with Rad. We stopped at the Idaho Potato Museum along the way, it was such a goofy/funny place, we bought potato shirts, and got a picture in front of what had to be the largest baked potato in the world. We also made some great last minute plans to do a hike and spend some time at the water park for the few short hours we were allowed to visit with our friend. I am so heart-broken that Rad is gone but when I think of him I think of memories like these and I can't help but laugh too. Rad truly was one of a kind.
—Taylor Willis
