I first met Fred in our freshman year. We were both on the same team for one of our sports. He was not exactly a big or athletic guy like me, but he had a lot of heart. He made up for being very smart which he lacked in physical ability. He was always the smartest player on his team, if not the entire school.

We became friends after that season. At the time I did not realize just how important it would be to have him as a friend. Soon after we quickly decided to move in together and become roommates as sophomores. I knew almost right away that...