I didn’t know Chad,I do know Dan and Cheryl. I just want to express my condolences to the family.

From waaaay across the waves in South Africa came the news to me of Chad’s unfortunate news. I met him whilst working in the Andre Pires lab as a researcher, and I was duly impressed the first day of training of how bright he was! I continued to work with him for some time and we struck up a collaborative friendship, and later took a strong mutual interest in the game Elder Scrolls Skyrim of which we both sunk many hours of our lives into.
The last few months I worked with him before leaving for South Africa were filled with much excitement, and I fondly remember how proud Chad was of all his little baby lizards and the results of the research he was doing.
My deepest sympathies go out to Chad’s family.
May he wander the great planes of Skyrim as an Arch-Mage fighting dragons for ever more!
Best Regards,
David Van Hoogstraten

Chad, I’m going to miss our awesome inappropriate conversations about science, life, religion and of course Breaking Bad! You always had a way of making me smile even if I was super angry or sad. We butted heads over many things but we would end up laughing and forgetting about what we were arguing about. I’m going to miss the passion you had for teaching, mentoring, and science. I will miss our Monday morning coffee conversations on the third floor. Now that I’m writing this I realize that there are going to be a ton of things I’m going to miss about you but most of all I’m going to miss you!

Danny and Cheryl,
I am so glad that we had the chance to reconnect a bit this spring. It helps me to feel closer to you at this time of unbearable loss. If only I had words to help relieve your sorrow, or knew some other way to help comfort you and Liz. All I can offer is the love and strength of a families bond and prayers of hope for the days to come. I wish I could be there with you during these hard days other than in spirit. Love, Susan

Chad was fun loving and fearless. One of my most vivid memories was when my family visited Texas and Chad took Liz, my brother Eric, and me to Six Flags amusement park. He insisted that we go on all the biggest roller coasters, much to my dismay. Not wanting to be a complete baby and after his persuasion, I rode them all, and he found it quite amusing when my head was in the trashcan afterwards. When we were riding a roller coaster called The Titan, they snap your picture just as you are going off a huge drop. We ended up buying the picture because it was so funny. Liz and my brother looked panicked, I was crying, and Chad looked like he was having the time of his life, with his hands in the air, and a huge smile on his face. Chad loved to tease, and referred to me as baby Lauren the rest of the day!
One thing I admired most about Chad was his strong commitment to family. Chad stayed with our Grandma in Sioux Falls, when she couldn’t be left alone, when our Grandpa was in the hospital. When we needed someone to watch our new puppy when we went on vacation, Chad came to Minnesota and hung out with him. He consistently made time to spend with family, and he was there if anyone needed him. It was so evident that Chad cared immensely for his family.
I will deeply miss our pheasant hunts in South Dakota, our fishing trips to Canada, and playing cards and visiting at Grandpa and Grandma’s house. I will miss your playful teasing, your sense of humor, and your infamous “knuckle massages and snakebites,” even though they hurt like hell! Most of all I will miss your kindness and your love for fun. You left a lasting impression on our family, Chad, and we will miss you greatly.

My heart goes out to Chad’s family, and I am at a loss for words.

I love Chad and will miss him dearly.

Dan,
So sorry for your loss…
I am a biologist by study and an outdoorsman by nature much like Chad. I thought it fitting to donate to the Perot Museum as I think Chad would have wanted to know his life’s work will continue forever on.
Take care of your family and we will take care of business from here until you are back on your feet.

I know that Chad was loved by his family and will be greatly missed.