Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the Aug. 10 edition of The Stanford Weekly. A service for Grazier G’Sell will be held Thursday at 2 p.m. at Memorial Church. Those interested in donating to the Guy Grazier G’Sell Memorial Fund can email Catherine Chang at ling84@stanford.edu or Rebecca Raybin at rraybin@stanford.edu.

Swing dancing, running, Rice-Krispy-egg-drop devices, camping, Cheerios and jazz. As evidenced by these varied interests and the words of his family and friends, Guy Grazier G’Sell truly enjoyed every moment of life and taught others to do the same.

Grazier G’Sell, 22, of Saline, Michigan died on July 13, 2006, about one month after the physics major walked at Commencement 2006. He is survived by his parents, mother Kyle Grazier and father William G’Sell, brothers, Max and Gabe Grazier G’Sell, and his sister, Alex Grazier G’Sell.

During summer 2001, G’Sell said that his son was diagnosed with brain cancer and deferred enrollment at Stanford for a year to undergo intense therapy and rehabilitation. Additional cancer-related surgeries and chemotherapy were done in 2004 and 2005.

“After Guy was diagnosed with brain cancer, his enthusiasm for life only increased,” G’Sell said. “Throughout the five years of Guy’s disease, I never once heard him complain of his predicament, question the unfairness of his situation, or express self-pity. Instead, he was open to new experiences and put renewed emphasis on personal relationships.”

G’Sell described Grazier G’Sell’s ability to maintain a positive outlook in the face of great physical and mental challenges as “remarkable.”

“Guy did not focus on his disease — he focused on his life,” G’Sell said. “Consequently, I’ve taken to describing Guy as living with cancer, rather than battling it.”

For his family, Grazier G’Sell was an “influential and loving mentor and role model,” according to his father.

“Guy had an uncanny ability to live in the moment and he endeavored to enjoy every moment of life,” G’Sell said. “It is a lesson which is not difficult to understand, but which is very difficult to put into practice as Guy did.”

For his friends at Stanford, Grazier G’Sell served as an incredible model of how to cope with illness.

“I will also never forget the remarkably upbeat attitude he had when the tumor came back last summer,” said Stephanie Sud, who graduated with her friend. “I spoke to him the night before his surgery. I think most people would be in a depressed or at least apprehensive mood, but Guy was cheerful. He showed me a strength and character that few people can claim.”

Grazier G’Sell’s friend since freshman orientation, graduated senior Yoo-Yoo Yeh remembered their entire sophomore-year dorm “holdings its breath,” when Grazier G’Sell had a biopsy done on his tumor.

“He shared of himself a lot,” Yeh said. “He was also really patient. His smile was a full, big one. I will always remember Guy smiling, happily.”

Junior Tiffani Anderson, who attended a cancer support group with Grazier G’Sell, admired him for his commitment to supporting cancer research via fundraising events.

“I will always remember walking the laps with him at Stanford’s Relay for Life 2006,” Anderson said. “We signed a banner that was later sent to the American Cancer Society to thank them for all their efforts in cancer research. That day meant a lot to those of us who had cancer, and I’m glad I could share it with a good friend.”

In spite of his failing health, Stephanie Selover, ‘04, said Grazier G’Sell was optimistic at commencement in June 2006.

“Guy has shown me how brave a person can be,” she said. “For the last few months of his life, he seemed to be feeling worse and worse, but he was still the same cheerful person. Even when he had a hard time speaking, he was still making jokes and was wonderful to be around.”

Many at Stanford will remember Grazier G’Sell for how he made an effort to befriend everyone.

“When I barely knew Guy, he came by my room once and wanted to know if I had any dinner plans,” said Selover, ‘04. “When I said ‘no,’ he insisted we go out and get dinner together, so we walked down to University Avenue and got Indian food. I will always remember the way that Guy just made himself a part of my life, and how kind and open he was.”

Grazier G’Sell’s former resident advisor, Sud, noted that he brought a “fun-loving spirit to the [Soto dorm] community.”

“I will always remember Guy stopping by my room almost daily to get a granola bar, ask about my day and tell me about his,” Sud said. “I have great admiration for the way Guy was so active in so many realms of Stanford life — he participated in dorm events such as the San Francisco scavenger hunt, went on weekend camping trips and always attended social dance events.”

Catherine Chang, a coterminal student in electrical engineering, transferred to Stanford in fall 2003 and initially would often dine only with her roommate, a fellow transfer student.

“One day, Guy, who must have noticed we were never with other people, just came over spontaneously and introduced himself,” Chang recalled. “He was incredibly, genuinely friendly, so truly interested in other people that you could tell he only meant the best. I’m never surprised when I hear from others that Guy has done this many times for other lonely, lost, new people on campus. He somehow could tell when someone needed to chat, and he’d make himself available, listen patiently and add occasional humor. Guy was a stunning example of how to live with the right priorities — putting people and relationships with people before all else, valuing life and every moment of it and approaching everything with cheerfulness, even if life itself was uncertain.”

During spring quarter 2005, Jesus Javier “J.J.” Tellez Loucel, ‘06, met Grazier G’Sell when he attended the Stanford@Sea program. Tellez Loucel will remember Grazier G’Sell for his “cheerful personality” as well as his love for dancing and jogging along the beach.

“Guy showed me that I need to appreciate and be grateful every day for the wonderful experiences and opportunities I have enjoyed so far,” Tellez Loucel said. “Guy showed me the courage to fight for life and the strength to endure through challenges and obstacles with the intent to continue exploring, living, and enjoying the wonders that lie ahead.”

Tellez Loucel stated that several of the nineteen members from Grazier G’Sell’s Stanford@Sea voyage are compiling their photographs from Hopkins for his family.

“We all knew Guy’s curiosity resulted in tons of thoughts and information flowing through because he never ceased to amaze us with his insight,” Tellez Loucel said. “We would like to let Guy’s family know that we deeply cherished and worried about our late friend’s wellbeing. We want to put something together to show the unique life experience and adventure in the South Pacific that we shared with our beloved shipmate.”

Although saddened by Grazier G’Sell’s short life, his friends were comforted by the fact that Grazier G’Sell was able to spend his last few years at Stanford.

“Guy always would say that he would never have lived as long as he did if not for Stanford,” Selover said. “Stanford gave him something to live for — being around people who loved him and keeping busy with clubs, dancing, studying and socializing. Guy lived life as much as he could.”

G’Sell also noted that his son loved his life at Stanford.

“Stanford provided the perfect environment for Guy’s life,” G’Sell said. “Social opportunities with bright young people of similar interests encouraged Guy’s personal growth. A rich variety of educational opportunities helped provide for his intellectual growth. The many other opportunities at Stanford allowed Guy constantly to explore new pursuits, such as social dancing, sprint triathlon and backpacking. Many of these activities helped Guy rehabilitate from his disease and therapies, in addition to providing exciting new experiences.”