Our Memories

Dmitri was my roommate in Grenada. He was one of the best guys I knew. We bonded over our love of skiing and the fact that were older than a lot of the students there! I’ll never forget the night I moved in. He was already asleep. He had a rough night the day before. He woke up and helped me get my stuff in and settled, even though he was sleeping. That’s the kind of guy he was. Always looking out for his friends and always positive. He helped me study, get past stress, and even listened to me vent a little. Such a good guy. RIP buddy. Hope you hit all the slopes you can up there.

There was a small whiteboard on our fridge in Newcastle where we would write notes or reminders for the day.
“You’ve got mail to pick up.”
“I left your laundry on the couch.”
“Don’t forget PD Kit.”

Eventually it was just blank for some time, but one day it read,

“It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop.” – Confucius

Dmitri came into the kitchen and I asked him who wrote that. He said something along the lines of, “You know, this thing’s been blank for a while. It’d be nice to have something to get us through a full day of lectures and studying. I’ll write something every now and again to keep us going. It’s a pretty tough thing we’re in but we’ve got to just stay positive and motivated. That’s the way to live.”

Just like that whiteboard, I have no doubt Dmitri left his mark on everyone he came across and truly made a positive difference in their lives, he definitely did in mine.

Dmitri, you will be always in our memories as a good friend, excellent son of your parents etc. I’m sure you would be a wonderful doctor. You will be missed by everyone who knew you because only good things could tell about you. It is very sad you left us being so young but I hope you will be in peace there where you are now. You are in our hearts.

Dmitri, Dime , Dima, you were one of my best friends. I know in my heart you would be pissed that im posting this on facebook but everyone deserves to see this face. I wont give up hope that you’re hiking somewhere wondering why so many people are making such a big deal. You touched so many hearts. You made me a better person and I will never forget our late night talks about how fascinating DNA is. Mt. Rainier will truly always have your heart and a little bit of mine.
I love you bud. Ti Saldat.
#sofuckingheartbroken #finddmitri

My heart is broken 💔 He was my best friend.. he taught me so much… We shared so much together.. We shared noodle bowls in New York, driving duties on our many road trips, and even my hair brush in the mornings (if you know, you know)..he pushed me to be more, bigger, better. He was fiercely protective of us.. He debated politics passionately with me, then he showed me how to play a guitar (we both gave up on that). He’d drive at 2am, after a hospital shift, just to watch reruns of John Oliver, Bill Maher & Vice News with me. He calmed me down, he traveled the world with me & he loved my son.. his music was the worst I’d ever heard, but now I can stop listening.. he showed me an extreme life.. one in which I ultimately chose to have no part of.. and one that took his life July 3rd. 💔 I always hated those mountains, I hated the risks he took.. he loved them so much. This hurt is hard 💔 Hurry Home Dmitri

I am so saddened by the loss of Dmitri. He was a co-worker at Heavenly, and was always so positive and helpful. We all knew he’d be a great doctor. I hope he was having fun when he left this world to go shred Heaven’s hills.