Brad Odekirk

I don't think Brad Odekirk, a friendly photojournalist who went by the name of 'Ode,' ever knew of your magazine. Ode was a prolific photographer, a man whose enthusiasm for capturing life in a lens was matched only by his love of life itself. He lived in the heart of the Rocky Mountains-in the close-knit ski community of Summit County, Colorado-where he plied his craft as a photographer at the Summit Daily News, where I used to work with him. Each day locals were treated to a clean slate of Ode's work, pictures that seemed to capture the world at its happiest and most inspired of moments-pictures that, unbeknownst to Ode, conveyed the very essence of the magazine that shares his name.

Before Ode died last year in a tragic accident at the age of 42, he had stepped foot on six of seven continents and had taken his camera-and his knack for friendship-wherever he went. People came from Japan, Thailand, Africa, South America, and across the United States to attend his memorial service in Colorado. They were inspired, I am sure, by their memories of Ode and by the photographs he left with us. They remain a beautiful proof of the good in this world.

You often speak of contagious enthusiasm, and that's what Ode possessed. He was the most passionate person I ever knew.