Remembering Asher

It is still hard to comprehend the fact that Asher Strobel has been taken away from us. After the memorial service in his honor tonight it is clear to everyone that he was an incredible, selfless and genuine person. Always looking out for others and making sure that everyone around him was content. One of the last times I spoke to Asher I was in the kosher kitchen holding my menorah the first night of Chanukah. He asked me where I got it from and how he could get one for his good friend. He knew that his friend probably wouldn’t take the time to get one on his own, so he took it upon himself to get him one. Asher asked me in such a thoughtful and compassionate way that even though I had no idea who his friend was, I decided to get him an extra menorah to give him the next day. By the time I saw him he had already gotten it for his friend but he gave me countless amount of “thank yous” anyways, making me feel like I just saved the world. This inconsequential occurrence exemplifies on the simplest level the kind of person Asher was. He lived each day to the fullest, always giving his friends compliments and making them smile.

Being that I only spent one semester in Binghamton so far, I haven’t gotten the chance to get to know everyone in Chabad yet, but Asher was one of the students who really reached out to me and made me feel comfortable right away. One day during finals week, I was sitting at the same table as Asher studying for our final exams. I definitely looked super stressed so he started asking me about my finals and really listened to me vent about my tests I had coming up. He was able to make me smile at a time when it was very necessary and appreciated. We should all learn from Asher to put life into perspective and think about what really matters in life. One of the many things Asher has taught me was to always strive to be the best person I can be and never give up. He was someone who took advantage of every moment he had and he will never ever be forgotten.

During finals week I was waiting in the icy snow for the Binghamton bus which was running way way behind schedule. It was freezing and I was struggling against the heavy winds to keep my large portfolio filled with my precious artwork from blowing away. I was on my way to campus for my final portfolio review, something I certainly could not be late for.

As the minutes flew by, I knew this bus wasn't coming.

I felt stranded.

It seems as though it was out of nowhere, a white car appeared in front of me and the words questioning "you need a ride to campus?" slipped through the opening window. ASHER! MY WHITE KNIGHT!

In the mere minutes it took us to drive to campus, Asher asked me question after question about my work, the upcoming review, what I was doing for the break... He was genuinely interested in what his friends were up to and this was natural for him.

When he dropped me off, I thanked him profusely, told him he saved my life and then watched him drive away. I suddenly realized that he wasn't on his way to campus when he picked me up, he drove there only for me. I made it to my portfolio review right on time.

That was the last time I ever saw Asher. He rescued me.

My love and thoughts go out to his family.

Everyday when I stand at the bus stop I think of Asher.

I was Asher's CS 205 professor and am so sorry to learn of this.

I got to know Asher very well while he was my student. He contributed in class and often met with me during my office hour and after class. Our conversations were rarely limited to school work.

I found him bright, hard-working, friendly, and inquisitive. He always wanted to do well. What really struck me was he always wanted to know why? Why this? Why that? He often told me that our conversations left him with something to think about. I must admit, he made me work at it! I truly enjoyed our conversations.

Words are never adequate at this time! My sorrow truly heartfelt!

My most cherished experience with Asher was the time he was in the library and he had an assignment due the next day. He asked me if i could help him, as I took the class last year. I thought it would be interesting to take a look at the material and see how much i remembered. Me and Asher spent the next 20 minutes going over the material until finally we were able to submit it. I didn't think much of it, after all i was just helping him out with a couple of homework problems. The way he made me feel afterwards though is something i expect never to forget. He kept thanking me and saying how nice it was that i helped him and how i took time out of my night to work on this homework with him. I really didn't think it was that big of a deal, but I felt so good afterwards because of the way he reacted. I remember even inserting a thank you in my tefillah for the opportunity to help him, thats how good i was feeling. What really stood out is the next day when i woke up i saw a text from him that read: "I just helped someone out because i felt compelled to repay the favor to someone after the favor you did for me, thanks again"
I was amazed. The fact that I did something little caused Asher to do something for someone else in return?
Looking back on the situation, I don't know why Asher had to leave us at such a young age, nobody knows Gds will. It serves as a reminder to us that Gd puts us all here for a specific reason and it is up to us to get to work and complete the task. We don't know when we will leave, all we know is the amount of effort we have put in in completing Gds will.

The fact that i had the opportunity to do a mitzvah for Asher, and that he in turn did a mitzvah for someone else out of all of this is something that no one can take away from either of us.

I will always remember how I was your TA for CS 205 and you always came and asked me to help you with the assignments even outside of our scheduled class time because you were so dedicated to your schoolwork. It is something I will always admire. Also playing basketball with you last year during intramurals was great. I will always cherish the memories. You are sorely missed Asher and although I don't and might never understand why this had to happen, ultimately I have to believe that G-d has a greater plan.

We weren't really close but we were definitely friends. I loved seeing Asher around campus always giving me huge hello's and hugs all the time. It is so surreal that he is gone and I am going to miss him so so so so much. I wish the best for Asher's family and close friends. He will be missed.

I didn't know Asher as well as i would have liked to but every time i saw him he was smiling and so friendly. He was liked by everyone and a dedicated friend to anyone who needed him. May he rest in peace and forever will he be in the hearts of everyone who cared and loved him.

My deepest condolences go out to the Strobel family. I am very sorry for your loss. 

I remember hanging out with Asher this past summer in Union Square at TJ Max. He got a wallet that day. As we left he persisted that we go out for drinks; him, me, Elana and someone else. I couldn't make it, but Ill never forget how sincere Asher was. He wanted to hang out for the sake of being in one another's company. Going back, I regret not joining in that night. I saw Asher several times in the fall. He came over our house to hang out a bunch of times. Those memories are a blur but I can remember the sincerity in Asher's tone so vividly from that day in Union Square.

Every time I think of what happened to him it burns my heart. Asher was a young man.The day I heard what happened, I denied it at first. Why Asher, really Asher? With no warning whatsoever, it seemed too extreme to be real. The funeral, that was all too real. I met with my friends, it was good to see them, but on such an occasion the sweetness was void, in its place a deep sorrow we all felt and saw in one another. We arrived at the temple early and sat in the back rows. As we listened, we wept. I remember listening to Asher's friend speak about how after they lost the finals basketball game, Asher sincerely believed he lost the game for his team. He genuinely believed it. That really got to me hard, more so than anything else because of how I could relate so much in such a different aspect of Asher's life. That is Asher to me, sincere and genuine. It makes sense now, that I can so vividly remember his sincerity that day in Union Square. That memory will last, and I will neve r forget Asher. Though he may be gone, his impact is not. 

Rarely do you ever come across an individual as unique and special as Asher. I met him when he came to Binghamton after a year of learning in Yeshiva Netiv Aryeh. We had many mutual friends and in a very short time became great friends. Whether it was enjoying each others presence in class together, our weekly kosher meat fiestas, attending Friday night dinners at Chabad, playing ball or working out, Asher knew how to have a great time and showed in every way possible just how much he valued friendship. He genuinely cared about each and every person he was friends with and that is a very special quality for an individual to possess. Asher was also incredibly intelligent and had a great head on his shoulders. He was undoubtedly headed towards a bright future. Asher, I know you are not physically with us anymore, but you will always remain in our hearts and I will forever treasure the times we have spent together. My deepest condolences to the Strobel family. Mr. and Mrs. Strobel, your son was an incredible man who accomplished more in 21 years than most do in an entire lifetime. To Asher's siblings, I am sure he was the absolute best brother anyone could have ever asked for. Asher, love you buddy!

I met Asher my first year at Binghamton. 
Little did I know, he became one of my closest friends. 
Everyone knew how he truly brightened rooms with his smile. 
He was ambitious, strong willed, and most importantly an incredible friend who will forever be missed.

I knew Asher for a couple of years, but we really became close by being on the same basketball team in New York City the last two summers. Asher was the consummate teammate, he was a joy to play with because he didn't care about his personal statistics he only cared about what benefitted the team as a whole. Asher was always selfless and encouraging on the court. He would always cheer anyone up when they were playing poorly by either telling a joke to lighten them up or by encouraging them to just keep on playing their game. Asher made all of us on our basketball team feel confident in our games and good about ourselves on the court. It was a great honor to have played with him. These great attributes of selflessness also extended to the person he was off the court. Asher made sure no one ever felt uncomfortable in a social situation, if he knew that you didn't know many people around he would make sure to talk to you and make you feel comfortable. Asher was genuinely interested in getting to know the people he spoke to, he was the friendliest person  I have ever met. I learned a lot from Asher, about being a good teammate and about being a good person. I remember one game in particular where i was missing all of my shots; i was getting frustrated, but asher came over to me and said "keep on shooting you'll start hitting don't get frustrated." It was a simple gesture, but it worked. Asher was always doing stuff like this for everyone on our team; he was always the first to give a high five on a good play, and the first to encourage to keep positive and focused when we made a mistake. Asher was a great person, the world will truly and deeply miss him. Everyone who knew him was impacted positively by his good heart and friendliness. For me i got to know him through basketball, and I will hold his memory in my heart every time I play because of everything I learned from him about being a good teammate and person.

RIP Asher you were a great person, we will never forget you.

I dedicate this poem to Asher Z"TL - it's called 'Silent Grave of the Beautiful Soul'

Holding onto
These memories
Trigger a cloudy image
...Of what's unable to be seen

Pouring Rain
Brings down the angel
From above the grave
Trying to save what's already way away

Falling back into grace
Heaven
Let me remember
What's lost in days

Time goes by
I still can't find the right
Way to understand the pain
It feels like, feels like you were here yesterday

Pouring Rain
Brings down the angel
From above the grave
Trying to save what's already way away

Beautiful Soul
Is all I wanna hold
Hold onto the past
"I promise, promise that i'm coming back"

For you I am
Always there in the end
"I promise it will be okay"
Promise me that you will stay...

Shiva in Englewood for Asher Strobel z"l will begin on Tuesday morning, January 11th at 226 Chestnut Street and conclude on Sunday morning, January 16th following Shacharit.

The family requests that people refrain from visiting between the hours of 12:30-1:30 PM and 6:00-7:00 PM. Please note that Shiva will conclude at 10:00 PM on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

The times for Minyanim are as follows:

Shacharit:
Tuesday – 8:00 AM
Wednesday – 6:30 AM
Thursday – 6:15 AM
Friday – 6:30 AM
Sunday – 8:30 AM

Mincha/Maariv:
Tuesday - Thursday – 4:35 PM