Sadness And Celebration of the Life of Robert Yin

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Photo from the Grinnell College website

Former Wootton High School Student, Robert Yin died yesterday from injuries sustained during a pole vault accident at the Midwest Conference Meet at Illinois College in Jacksonville, IL. He was a sophomore at Grinnell College majoring in music.

ABC’s KCRG-TV reports that Grinnell’s vice president for student affairs, Houston Dougharty, and college chaplain, Deanna Shorb, were with Yin and his family at the time of his death.

According to the State Journal-Register, Peggy Brooks, assistant cross country coach said he grazed the mat and landed on his back before hitting his head at the meet last Friday.

“When he was vaulting he went up, didn’t go up the pole well and went off to the side,” she said. “Instead of landing on the mat he kind of slid, grazed the mat and landed on his back.”

She said weather and wind were not factors.

“He just went up and went past the bar, and went to the side and missed the mat,” she said. “Our thoughts go out to the coaches, to the team.”

Grinnel College News Online describes his college life:

Robert became an instant friend of DC Posse members, many of whom lived near his home of Rockville, Md., and considered him an honorary Posse member. A music major, he was an active member of the G-Tones. Robert participated on the men’s track and field team, was an employee of the training room, and frequent Frisbee player.

Robert was also a member of my parish, Christ Episcopal Church, where he served as an acolyte and would play violin during services. With remarkable talent, he sung in the local a cappella group, the Supertonics and his school chorus.

He was encouraging to everyone he met and filled with spirit in everything he did. He is remembered for his contagious smile. He was the type of person who would give you the shirt off his back, and did.

Our sympathies to the Yin family. Comprehending such a loss to all those who loved him is difficult.

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