Another exciting school year is upon us, but this year we are all without one of our dear friends. 

Ryan Joseph Candice passed away on June 19. Ryan was going to be a senior here, and was in one of Mizzou's most rigorous business programs. He was beloved by all who knew him.

Ryan was a proud member of the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. It is safe to say that Ryan had a friend in every single house. What I will remember most about Ryan was his wonderful smile and his contagious laugh. 

I first met Ryan at the start of my senior year in high school. My cousin Haley, Ryan, Alex and myself were all out at Innsbrook for the day on a boat, and someone wanted to go fishing. However, we did not have any fishing poles. This didn't stop Ryan though; he told us that he would be able to catch a fish using a firework. Like any other sane person, I thought that he was crazy. Sure enough, he proved me wrong and managed to do it. Over the next two years every single time I saw Ryan he gave me a huge hug. 

My favorite memory of Ryan was before my Kentucky Derby formal freshman year. My date was late and Ryan saw how upset I was. Even though Ryan had plans that night he offered to ditch them and go with me. That was the kind of guy Ryan was though... always doing whatever he could for his friends. My date finally showed up, but there is no doubt in my mind that I would have had a much better night with Ryan. 

Ryan was friends with everyone at Mizzou. I have never met a person who had anything bad to say about him, and I know I never will. Ryan will never be forgotten by all those who loved him and memories of him will live through them every single day.