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Ryan James Harrison seemed to friends to have a perfect life.

The University of Colorado junior business major had a high grade point average, and a lot of close friends in his fraternity, Phi Delta Theta, and all over campus. He was a talented golfer, and had a good job at Merrill Lynch, a loving family and many female admirers, according to friends.

"He was seemingly so together and was a role model for so many," said friend and fraternity brother Tyler Downs, 20. "The sky was the limit for this kid."

In October 1999, Harrison drove to Idaho and, alone in his car, took his own life. The Parker, Colo., native was 20 years old.

Friends such as Downs were taken completely by surprise. Harrison had never confided in any of them, he said, had never shown any signs of depression.

"I've come to a point where I've stopped speculating. It's a mystery and it always will be," Downs said.

Rather than wondering or blaming themselves, Downs and fellow Phi Delta Theta brothers, including Greg Powers, decided to do something important, something to memorialize their friend.

They began to raise money, by slashing it out of their house budget, and asking for donations from everyone in the house. Their landlord, Bill Mark, contributed $5,000 to match the first $5,000 raised by students. Downs and Powers have also sent letters to families of Harrison's friends and other alumni of the house.

Over the past few months, Harrison's friends have raised close to $15,000, which they have placed in a fund at The Community Foundation Serving Boulder County. Their goal is to have $20,000 by the end of the summer.

"We just wanted to make this gift happen right away. It helps you sleep," Downs said. "There's been a tragedy but you're doing something about it. This way, his memory is going to live on forever."

The proceeds from the Ryan James Harrison Memorial Fund will go in part toward a scholarship for a sophomore CU student who exemplifies some of Harrison's traits, such as studying hard and being an active fraternity member.

"We felt like there are a lot of people out there who could make a bigger difference if they didn't have to worry as much about money," Downs said.

The remainder of the earnings on the fund will be earmarked for suicide prevention services, in hopes of preventing similar tragedy.

Downs and other friends plan to have an awards ceremony for the scholarship recipient and plan to continue building the fund, through alumni solicitations and future golf tournaments.

"He [Harrison] had this really deep voice, and whenever he laughed, it made you want to laugh with him," Downs recalled. "That's definitely what I miss the most."

If you would like to contribute to this fund, please mail your gift to Ryan James Harrison Fund, c/o The Community Foundation at 1123 Spruce St., Boulder, CO 80302, or call 303-442-0436 for more information. All gifts are tax deductible.
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