Tributes
Thank you to all who remembered Robert during 2010-2011.
 Robert's death taught us to come together to become closer. Helped us rethink what is important in life.
We created a scholarship that will last a generation. Robert will remain in our hearts for a long time to come. Thank you again for all your help.
Here is a timeline of what we shared:  Friends wrote countless tributes throughout the year on Facebook's "Rest in Peace Robert" group page, and Robert's FB friends-only page.May 29, 2010, one thousand people attended Robert's funeral. August, 2010, created the Robert Yin SPIRIT Foundation, Inc.August 13, 2010, over 50 runners and spectators ran a 4x400m Relay, to kick-off t-shirt sales to support the SPIRIT Scholarship. Henry Nam wrote "Elegy" for Robert on acoustic guitar.October 2010, Grinnell College hosted a memorial service for the students. Grinnell and Illinois Colleges each planted a fir tree at the Grinnell campus outside Robert's old dorm, Rose Hall.Fall 2010, Robert's parents planted many Christmas tree seedlings in the yard at home, hoping someday to sell Christmas trees to raise money for scholarship. Thanksgiving Eve, 2010, seven performing artists and bands gave us the Rock For Robert benefit concert, raising $1300 for scholarships.Thanksgiving Weekend, 11/27/10 - another 50 participated in the one mile Burrito [eat and] Run!December 12, 2010 - on Robert's 21st birthday, we announced the SPIRIT Scholarship and launched the rememberRobert.org website.February 2011, Wootton Track awarded to Aaron Tian the 1st Annual "Robert Yin SPIRIT Award for Sportsmanship" at the Indoor Track Banquet.April 1, 2011, SPIRIT Scholarship applications were due and the judging process began. Twenty-one applicants posted videos on YouTube.May 7 - Was a 5K Race to raise awareness about Organ Donation. 62 people registered for "Team Robert". With SIXTY-TWO on "Team Robert", we won the prize for the largest team! We were able to discuss the story of Robert's organ donation, and meet other organ recipients.May 8 - Bobby Long wrote a poem.May 8-17 - The Grinnell G-Tones, male a capella singers, sing "My Brother Now Departed" from the new "In Memoriam" music. A large crowd gathered at Robert's trees at Grinnell, and launched hundreds of balloons and messages "up" to Robert.May 17 - The Wootton High School Chambers Orchestra &; Chorus performed "In Memoriam", new music for orchestra and voice, composed by Justin Boyer in Robert's memory. May 29, 2011 - Morning - Christ Episcopal Church Choir sang "The Call", from the 5th Movement of "In Memoriam".May 29, 2011 - Evening - At the 1st annual SPIRIT Scholarship Awards Celebration, over 100 people dined and danced the night away. Jeff Hilnbrand was announced the Winner.June 2, 2011 - Wootton Track awarded to both Madeline Ricco and Beata Globa the "Robert Yin SPIRIT Award for Sportsmanship" at the 2011 annual Track Banquet. And, we found out all the organ recipients are alive and well! God Bless them! By, Sandra Giger, originally posted on the Remember Robert home page from June 1 through December 11, in tribute to Robert. |
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