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Good evening, everyone. So many of my memories here at Frisch, as well as at Moriah, of skiing, playing cards, basketball, in Israel for the year, all draw up memories of Asher Strobel, whose memory and life we remember here this evening and will cherish always. Over the last month, since Asher’s tragic passing, I have reminisced about the memories Asher and I shared. Some of them are so recent they are almost tangible; some memories are as distant as elementary school and even kindergarten. I have tried for some time now to think of a single, encapsulating moment in time of Asher that I could share with each of you that would sum up all of Asher’s wonderful qualities. At Asher’s funeral I listened as Ron Strobel, Asher’s dad, spoke about how Asher was not someone to remember with specific moments, but rather, as someone who was incredible every time you were with him. I realized that all my memories of Asher are what to remember him by, and not just a select few. So, Ron thanks for helping me and so many of us here in this room, to remember Asher properly and in a way that gives his life deeper meaning and continuity, even though we so badly miss his physical presence.
I have known Asher for as long as I can remember. We went to kindergarten together, twice. Even when we were young Asher was always friends with everybody. He was never part of a single clique; he was always so considerate and made sure that no one was left out or behind. Asher wasn’t the loudest one in the group, but never the quietest either. He mastered the ideal of the happy medium. Asher also always made sure just to be himself. Out of all the basketball games we shared at Matt Grief’s house, he might have been the only one of the guys that didn't yell at me for my overly aggressive, in your face, defense.
During the funeral service Jesse Shemen mentioned that when Asher walked into the room he would instantly bring a smile to everyone’s face. This quality of Asher’s went farther than just a smile. I remember many nights throughout high school and during the summers when I would have poker games in my parents’ basement. A bunch of the guys would always show up and even though Asher didn't want to play he would stop by to hang out with all of us. Asher was never one to show up early, so when he walked in late while the game was going on, we all stopped and looked up to see who came through the door. Once we realized it was Asher, we would instantaneously smile and get up so we can all get our turn hugging him. He would always give great bear hugs, with the double pat on the back, and for me, who was half a foot shorter than him, I always felt enveloped. Asher created a loving atmosphere everywhere he went.
We all grieve together in Asher’s absence; at times, I still feel I will wake up and find out it was just a horrible nightmare; but the reality is bitingly cold and very harsh. Asher is inside each of us whose lives he touched. Never let his memory fade; never let his smile diminish; Asher, you will always be 21 to us; I hope and pray each of us here this evening and everyone else who he touched, will carry his memory with him.
We will miss you Asher, always, and as long as God grants us the power of memory we will never forget you.
-Ranan Gontownik
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