When Ohio University student Kyle Luginbuhl died Jan. 1, he left an impact on lives around the world. The aviation major had traveled to the Netherlands and Australia, but the lives he made the biggest influence on were those closest to him.
We have heard so many comments that he respected everyone - young and old. I think that's why people liked him so much. He always put others first
said his mother, Deb Luginbuhl. He has been an angel to us for 20 years.
Long-time friend of the family and second mother to Luginbuhl, Mary McGrain convinced Luginbuhl to become a Goodwill Ambassador with the Rotary Club in high school and, he certainly fulfilled that title and then some she said.
When Luginbuhl traveled to the Netherlands through his exchange program senior year and to Australia his sophomore year in college, he became a leader, a person the other students could look up to for help with homesickness, McGrain said.
People from all around the world have been sending e-mails that are a page long
telling his parents what a great kid he is and how much he will be missed
she said.
McGrain said she will remember Luginbuhl for his smile. When Kyle came to our home
he always made us laugh
she said. He was comfortable with who he was
and he didn't put on any airs about himself. He fit in wherever he was which is attributed to his parents
his international experience and the home away from home he found at OU.
Jason Cardwell, his roommate and good friend, said Luginbuhl was easygoing and got along well with everyone. He never had any enemies - he was one of those guys that when you saw him
you loved him already.
For being only 20 years old
[he] accomplished so much. I know that if I were to die today
