Saturday June 21, 2025, marked five years since we lost Samuel (Sam) Ozer — a friend who made a massive impact in just 17.9 years. What made Sam so special?
Simply put: he was never afraid to be himself or try something new. He didn’t get stuck worrying about what might go wrong — because if you do, you freeze up. Sam just went for it.
Finding Passion on the Slopes
One of the things Sam and I bonded over was skiing — my personal favorite sport.
I still remember our first day on the slopes together. I was an intermediate skier, and Sam wasn’t scared to join me on the harder runs, even black diamonds. His fearless spirit made the experience unforgettable.
Later, he discovered powder skiing, which became his true passion. He’d come back from winter breaks and weekend trips along the East Coast excitedly telling me about the sick lines he’d hit. Not many people ski black diamonds so quickly, but Sam was different. He dreamed bigger than I ever did. After graduation, Sam planned to spend a year teaching powder skiing in Alberta. I’m proud knowing I helped him find something he loved — he could never get enough of those powder days.
Bold, Unapologetic, and Kind
Sam didn’t care what others thought — something I’ve always admired.
The summer after seventh grade, he dyed his hair bright blue because he lost a bet. He showed up to a class pool party with electric blue hair, and we laughed about it for years. That was Sam: bold, unapologetic, and full of heart.
A Friendship Built on Trust and the Outdoors
Sam made me feel seen and respected. Around him, I never had to pretend.
We shared a love of the outdoors — from skiing and wilderness adventures to racing around on vehicles at my house. Our friendship was about being outside, having fun, and making memories.
We often filmed our adventures with a GoPro or drone. One standout memory was Memorial Day weekend near the end of junior year, at his family’s favorite spot, Mohican Outdoor Center in western New Jersey.
That night, camping along the Appalachian Trail, we launched a drone to orbit around us atop a bright green hill. It was a vivid, pure moment — one that sticks with me.
Camp Chippewa and Wild Adventures
I introduced Sam to Camp Chippewa, an all-boys sleepaway camp in Minnesota’s Chippewa National Forest. Those canoe trips quickly became highlights of his summers.
His favorite memory was a trip to Hudson Bay before senior year, where he swam with beluga whales in the icy waters near Churchill, Manitoba. Wild, free, and unforgettable — just like Sam.
Learning Differences as Superpowers
Sam never let his learning differences hold him back. He thrived, getting accepted into all six colleges he applied to during senior year.
At Coop NeuroRefreshers, we say:
“Learning differences aren’t just obstacles to overcome — they’re superpowers.”
Sam embodied this. His superpower was creative problem solving — especially as a skilled bike mechanic.
Legacy on Two Wheels: Sam’s Place
In his final months, Sam worked his dream job at Trek Bicycles — and he died doing what he loved: riding bikes.
Thanks to AIM Academy and Trek Bikes, Sam’s legacy lives on in Sam’s Place, a dedicated space on AIM’s campus where kids learn to fix bikes and build community.
This hands-on approach perfectly supports students with learning differences — just like Sam.
Hands-On Learning and a Crashed Drone
AIM also offered great electives like Media Arts and Robotics. One winter during a massive snowstorm, I crashed my drone into a tree — and Sam and I replaced the motherboard together. That’s who he was: hands-on, curious, and a natural problem solver.
What Sam Means to Me
I could write endlessly about what Sam meant to me — but words alone can’t fully capture his spirit or impact.
I hope this gives you a glimpse of the incredible person he was.
Rest in peace, buddy. I miss you, Sam.
