Friends and family gathered this weekend to celebrate the life of UCSB freshman Patrick “Trick” Wen Tsu Hsu.

Close to 50 friends and family members attended Hsu’s memorial Sunday, held in Chemistry 1179. The memorial began with a prayer led by Calvary Chapel of Santa Barbara Pastor Rick Soto, followed by memories of Hsu’s life shared by his friends and concluded with a slide show and video presentation documenting his life.

Hsu was found dead Saturday, Feb. 10, in his parents’ San Jose residence. An unknown explosive device, which was allegedly mailed to his parents’ home, caused his death. The San Jose Police Dept., U.S. Postal Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms are working in collaboration in the investigation.

In an eight-page memorial handout, which included quotes by Emily Dickinson and passages from the bible, many of Hsu’s friends shared anecdotes and poems in his honor.

“Words cannot possibly express the emptiness that was created within me the day that Patrick died,” undeclared freshman Melanie Conley wrote in the memorial handout. “I do believe, however, that the world is full of countless beautiful and joyous things, many of which remind me of him. I believe that the world’s beauty will eventually fill the void inside of me, allowing me to carry Patrick’s memory within me wherever I should go.”

Matt Hunstock, junior history and business economics major and UCSB Ski & Snowboard Club member, said he had many great memories of the time he spent with Trick since they met in September.

“I miss him a lot. Trick was a good guy – most importantly, he was a good friend. I just enjoyed being around him – it never got old,” he said. “I only knew him for a short time, but the memories will stick with me forever … whether it was a conversation about girls, shaving or making fun of my Ski & Snowboard Club flier. I’ll always remember that.”

Jennifer Coppolino, senior bio-psychology major and Ski & Snowboard Club vice president, said she would always remember Hsu and his ability to easily make friends.

“He was an incredible and very special person,” she said. “He could light up a room by just walking into it … I know myself that he will forever be with me and I will never forget him.”

Ruthie Hambley, a high school friend of Hsu, said he often told her, “You need to live your life to the fullest – you never know when it’s going to end.”

Hsu had a deep spiritual connection with Christ and expressed a deep affection for his friends, said junior history major John Yamazaki, coordinator for the Campus Crusade for Christ at Francisco Torres.

“There was something different about Trick; he was really deep,” he said. “We had a deep conversation about the meaning of life. He talked about his concern and love for his friends … He really shared with me that he loves you all.”

“I will never forget his laugh or the ways he could bring such happiness to our lives in little ways,” freshman biology major and friend Jessica Atwell wrote in the memorial handout. “He will be missed more than words can say and remembered in our hearts forever. We have all been changed for the better in knowing Trick.”

The memorial ended with a procession to Campus Point, one of Hsu’s favorite surfing spots, where flowers were placed in his memory.