Brian Picone, age 22, died earlier this week on 26 October 2009.

He was, apparently, teaching a class at George Mason University when it happened. He died of cardiac arrest.

Brian was a good friend to someone with whom I am very close, and this is how I came to know him. 

It's a very sad situation. Not only because he was young, otherwise healthy, and had his whole life ahead of him, but because the world lost someone very valuable. Unlike a significant portion of the population, Brian thought for himself, and didn't believe something because he was told to do so. He was the definition of an open-minded person, kind, and caring person. 

I'm glad I got to the chance to know him, and I wish there were more people like him.