Crystal
10-11-2005, 12:26 PM
Hundreds grieve for Skidmore student
Campus remembers Philip Eckstein, killed in traffic accident, as "a light" at school
By KENNETH C. CROWE II and BRUCE A. SCRUTON, Staff writers
First published: Tuesday, October 11, 2005
SARATOGA SPRINGS -- Philip A. Eckstein was remembered Monday as a young man who was always willing to lend a hand.
Nearly half the student population of Skidmore College joined Eckstein's mother, Carolyn Kohn, in mourning the junior who was killed in a traffic accident early Sunday.
The service was initially scheduled for the campus chapel but moved to a larger auditorium that holds about 300 people. As that room filled and students sat on its steps, a lecture hall was opened with a video hookup. Before the 7 p.m. service, another 300-seat hall was opened and also filled up.
Eckstein was killed on his 21st birthday, at 2:24 a.m. at the intersection of Route 50 and Gick Road. He was a pedestrian when he was struck by a patrol car driven by Saratoga County sheriff's Deputy Robert Swatling. Police described the accident scene as very dark and rainy with low visibility.
Skidmore Chaplain and philosophy professor Stephen Murray said Eckstein would be remembered for his open heart and desire to help others.
Just Saturday morning, Murray said, Eckstein had run out barefoot to help a friend who was having a problem with his car.
"Phil didn't have acquaintances," said Eckstein's brother, John. "He had friends -- all of you."
Kohn, of New York City, recalled talking with her son the night before to wish him well on his birthday. "He talked about shaving off his mustache," she said.
Earlier Monday, students came by the student center. "He was really a big personality on campus," said Laney Arbelaez, a junior from New York City, who met Eckstein the summer before they enrolled at the college.
Junior Ondriona Monty of New York City said everyone knew Eckstein, a junior from Manhattan majoring in computer science and philosophy major.
Arbelaez and Monty were among the students outside Case Center where a memorial was set up on the wall facing the college green. There were chalked lines from poems and songs, a soda bottle, a chess set, flowers and candles to convey the message of how much the student body missed him.
While the college community dealt with the loss of Eckstein, Sheriff James Bowen said Swatling also was coming to grips with what happened.
"He's off for a few days. He took it real hard," Bowen said of the deputy who joined the sheriff's office in 2000. Swatling is married with two young children.
"He's not suspended. There was nothing wrong on his part. What we've been told so far, he hasn't violated any laws. It's an unfortunate accident," the sheriff said.
Swatling voluntarily took an alcohol test, which was negative, and had blood drawn. Toxicology results are expected back from the State Police lab in four to six weeks.
City police investigators said that based on witness statements Eckstein was believed to have consumed alcohol.
The accident is being investigated by city police assisted by the State Police Troop G Forensic and Accident Reconstruction units. The accident scene is west of Northway Exit 15.
District Attorney James A. Murphy III said a county grand jury would routinely review the case.
Eckstein lived on campus in the Birch D, Scribner Village residence hall.
The student body is feeling the loss of Eckstein, Murray said earlier in the day. "Here's this great guy they knew and was just celebrating his 21st birthday. It was so shocking to our students," Murray said.
On Sunday, Murray held a session for students to talk about Eckstein. One student asked the college to convey to Eckstein's family how much he was loved by the entire campus community, Murray said.
"What an incredible loss for all of us here. This was a young man who contributed so much as a member of student government; someone who was uncommonly interested in helping other people," Murray said. "That's such a light on our campus that we will miss."
Lisa Eckstein, the mother of a 2-year-old girl, recalled how her brother-in-law had fixed her daughter's baby-sitter's computer, leaving a long, detailed note and his cellphone number.
When questioned, Phil Eckstein said, "Anyone who cares for my niece is entitled to 24-hour tech support.
"You might not think he could be an uncle," Lisa Eckstein told the students. "But, he wore it well. Uncle Phil."
Campus remembers Philip Eckstein, killed in traffic accident, as "a light" at school
By KENNETH C. CROWE II and BRUCE A. SCRUTON, Staff writers
First published: Tuesday, October 11, 2005
SARATOGA SPRINGS -- Philip A. Eckstein was remembered Monday as a young man who was always willing to lend a hand.
Nearly half the student population of Skidmore College joined Eckstein's mother, Carolyn Kohn, in mourning the junior who was killed in a traffic accident early Sunday.
The service was initially scheduled for the campus chapel but moved to a larger auditorium that holds about 300 people. As that room filled and students sat on its steps, a lecture hall was opened with a video hookup. Before the 7 p.m. service, another 300-seat hall was opened and also filled up.
Eckstein was killed on his 21st birthday, at 2:24 a.m. at the intersection of Route 50 and Gick Road. He was a pedestrian when he was struck by a patrol car driven by Saratoga County sheriff's Deputy Robert Swatling. Police described the accident scene as very dark and rainy with low visibility.
Skidmore Chaplain and philosophy professor Stephen Murray said Eckstein would be remembered for his open heart and desire to help others.
Just Saturday morning, Murray said, Eckstein had run out barefoot to help a friend who was having a problem with his car.
"Phil didn't have acquaintances," said Eckstein's brother, John. "He had friends -- all of you."
Kohn, of New York City, recalled talking with her son the night before to wish him well on his birthday. "He talked about shaving off his mustache," she said.
Earlier Monday, students came by the student center. "He was really a big personality on campus," said Laney Arbelaez, a junior from New York City, who met Eckstein the summer before they enrolled at the college.
Junior Ondriona Monty of New York City said everyone knew Eckstein, a junior from Manhattan majoring in computer science and philosophy major.
Arbelaez and Monty were among the students outside Case Center where a memorial was set up on the wall facing the college green. There were chalked lines from poems and songs, a soda bottle, a chess set, flowers and candles to convey the message of how much the student body missed him.
While the college community dealt with the loss of Eckstein, Sheriff James Bowen said Swatling also was coming to grips with what happened.
"He's off for a few days. He took it real hard," Bowen said of the deputy who joined the sheriff's office in 2000. Swatling is married with two young children.
"He's not suspended. There was nothing wrong on his part. What we've been told so far, he hasn't violated any laws. It's an unfortunate accident," the sheriff said.
Swatling voluntarily took an alcohol test, which was negative, and had blood drawn. Toxicology results are expected back from the State Police lab in four to six weeks.
City police investigators said that based on witness statements Eckstein was believed to have consumed alcohol.
The accident is being investigated by city police assisted by the State Police Troop G Forensic and Accident Reconstruction units. The accident scene is west of Northway Exit 15.
District Attorney James A. Murphy III said a county grand jury would routinely review the case.
Eckstein lived on campus in the Birch D, Scribner Village residence hall.
The student body is feeling the loss of Eckstein, Murray said earlier in the day. "Here's this great guy they knew and was just celebrating his 21st birthday. It was so shocking to our students," Murray said.
On Sunday, Murray held a session for students to talk about Eckstein. One student asked the college to convey to Eckstein's family how much he was loved by the entire campus community, Murray said.
"What an incredible loss for all of us here. This was a young man who contributed so much as a member of student government; someone who was uncommonly interested in helping other people," Murray said. "That's such a light on our campus that we will miss."
Lisa Eckstein, the mother of a 2-year-old girl, recalled how her brother-in-law had fixed her daughter's baby-sitter's computer, leaving a long, detailed note and his cellphone number.
When questioned, Phil Eckstein said, "Anyone who cares for my niece is entitled to 24-hour tech support.
"You might not think he could be an uncle," Lisa Eckstein told the students. "But, he wore it well. Uncle Phil."