Friends, family memorialize student killed in Fla. crash

Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here" played in the background as friends of late College junior Justin Koppel offered their condolences to his parents last night following a memorial service at Houston Hall. "It still seems so unreal to me," Koppel's sister Julie said. Koppel was killed in a car accident in Florida during spring break. His family flew in from California to meet with Koppel's friends and Sigma Alpha Epsilon brothers. Hillel Rabbi Howard Alpert led the service entitled, "A Celebration of Life," inviting loved ones to share memories of Koppel with each other as part of the healing process. Koppel's roommate, College senior Josh Lipman, recounted stories of living in the SAE house with Koppel. "Justin lived his life like an invitation," Lipman said. "He made special things happen when he was around you." Engineering junior Ed Vincent fondly remembered pledging with Koppel. "Justin was the glue that kept us all together," Vincent said. Jean Morse, deputy to University President Judith Rodin, spoke briefly, offering condolences. Sylvia Koppel, Koppel's mother, had requested that the service be videotaped as a commemoration of how his friends remembered him. When the memorial ended, the crowd of about 100 remained seated and observed a moment of silence. "None of us will ever forget you, Justin," Vincent said, looking up from his seat.