Drew

Rockwell has been running with the Timpanogos cross country team this summer. Coach Benson went to Alpine Days and gave invitations to all the kids there to come run with the team this summer. Rockwell, Drew, Levi, Luke, and Joe have all been going and really enjoying it. On July 7th, Rockwell, Drew and Joe were running together when Drew started to have some trouble with his asthma. The 8th grade boys are usually behind the high school kids as they aren't as fast as the older boys yet. Luckily there was one high schooler, Tyler, close enough that he came back to check on Drew. (The high school kids are seriously such nice kids, and will often check in with the younger boys to see how they're doing.) Tyler told Drew that he should probably rest, and he would run back to the school and get his car to come pick Drew up. A couple minutes after he left however, the situation turned much worse and Drew collapsed. Rockwell ran as fast as he possibly could back to the school to find someone with a phone to call 911. The team were all driving away to breakfast, but luckily Tim and Miles (Drew's cousin) hadn't left yet and told Rockwell to jump in their car and went back to Drew. Tyler was already back at the scene and was calling 911. The first responders came and worked on helping Drew breathe for about 45 minutes before they took him away in the ambulance. The boys all said a prayer together after they finished answering questions from the police men, and then Tyler brought Rockwell home. 

When Rockwell got home, he told us about what had happened and I was able to hug him and cry with him. It was very traumatic to watch his friend go through that and to try to help in whatever way he could. We had plans to go to Al's house and hang out while Matt & Lori were in town. Rockwell said he still wanted to go, so we went over there. About an hour later, Paul called to let me know that Coach Benson had called to let Rockwell know that Drew had passed away. I dreaded telling Rockwell, but wanted to talk with him about it before any friends texted or called him about it. I took Rockwell into the basement and let him know that Drew had passed away. It broke my heart to tell him. But then I felt a profound feeling of peace surrounding us and noticed that Rockwell had stopped crying. After a moment I asked him what he was feeling, and he said that he felt that Drew was with Jesus and he was good, and that he's all better now. He said he really felt that strongly. I told him that that feeling of peace is the Holy Ghost. Our Heavenly Parents love Rockwell and are aware of him, and sent The Comforter to let him know how much they care about him, and about Drew. I can't think of another time in my life where I've felt the Holy Ghost that distinctly, and I'm so grateful that I got to feel what Rockwell was feeling. 

The following week was very challenging for Rockwell. It's so sad to lose a friend, and to struggle with the trauma of watching it happen on top of the loss. I cannot imagine how much harder it would have been without having that strong visit from the Holy Ghost assuring Rockwell that Drew is okay. I'm so grateful that he had that experience to help strengthen and comfort him as he has moved forward trying to navigate this changed life. He has wanted to keep running with the team, and to be around the boys who understand what he's going through. The camaraderie of the team has been very good for him. 

Rockwell and I went to Drew's viewing Friday evening. (Paul's pool party was at the same time, and I know it was hard for Paul to not be able to go too.) This was a very difficult thing for Rockwell. It was hard to see Drew's body in the casket. A body that small just shouldn't be in a casket. It was also very emotional to talk with Drew's parents. They were asking Rockwell how he knew Drew, and I could tell he was having a hard time getting anything more than a one-syllable word out. I told them that he was running with Drew on Friday. As soon as they knew he "was with Drew at the end," they embraced him and started asking if he was okay. They asked if he was still running and told him to keep going. Drew loved running and had wanted to be on the Timpanogos team just like his older siblings. I was so impressed with his parents' concern for the boys that were there with Drew. They seem like very very good people. When we got back out to our car, Rockwell talked about how hard that was and we cried and hugged for a while.

Paul and I took Rockwell to Drew's funeral on Saturday. Each of his siblings and both of his parents spoke. They are a close family, and I know they're going to feel the loss of Drew strongly. My heart aches for them. Drew's death was a sad, hard, sorrowful loss. I hope that his family and friends can find comfort, remember Drew fondly, and try to learn from the positive, kind, forgiving, and thoughtful way Drew lived his life. You will be missed Drew.

Drew Masao Hansen of Lindon, Utah collapsed while running on Friday, July 7, 2023 and passed on an hour later at Timpanogos Regional Hospital. Cause of death was a collapsed lung which cut off oxygen to his heart which stopped beating. He was 13 years old.

Drew was a beautiful, talented, smart, obedient, and kind boy who was active in all good things that life had to offer. He died doing what he loved most: running with the Timpanogos High School cross country team. Teammates reported that he was notably happy that day as they gathered for their morning run. There was nowhere else he'd rather have been.

Drew's short life was filled with happiness. He had a native cheery disposition and a winning smile. He hung out with a group of neighborhood friends who were known as the Lost Boys and filled their days with fun and adventure. He was an excellent soccer player and skier and an accomplished pianist. He loved going with his dad and friends on camping and backpacking trips, and working with his mom on big projects around the house. He loved candy and wouldn't drink green smoothies but he had a healthy and strong body.

Above all, Drew was a kind and thoughtful brother and friend. He loved his younger sister with Down Syndrome and would talk to her and wrestle with her on the floor. Classmates at school have told us of his kindness and quiet service to others. Never in the spotlight, Drew always did his good deeds out of a sincere desire to make life better for those around him and not for personal glory. He always wanted to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and we know that he is fulfilling that wish now.

Drew is survived by his parents Bruce and Michelle Hansen and five siblings: Clyn, Thys, Lana, Mika, and Nyla. They are joined in their grieving by more than 80 cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents as well as hundreds of family friends and fellow saints whose lives were touched in small ways by this extraordinary young man.