Father of teen who died while hiking: 'He has a heart for God'
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FEDERAL WAY, Wash. -- The parents of a teen boy who died during a hike in the mountains outside of North Bend remembered their son as one with a big heart and a giver.
"(He was) somebody who loves people," said Rich Lusink. "He has a heart for God."
His 16-year-old son Andrew died Sunday along with Andrew's 18-year-old classmate Ben Skagen when they fell 100 feet while on a hike to Otter Falls in the Snoqualmie National Forest. Andrew's 18-year-old brother Jeffrey and another classmate were there and rushed to help, but the boys later died.
Rich Lusink said Andrew was into soccer and basketball. His last soccer game was Saturday and even scored a goal.
"He loves to compete, but in that competing he loves to lift up his teammates," Rich Lusink said.
Andrew and Jeffrey were also into hiking.
"Not just pleasure-seeking, they go and they explore," Rich Lusink said. "The two other boys that were with them had a similar heart for the outdoors ... and for seeing places and going places."
He said the brothers were inseparable.
"They loved to be together, the two of them ever since they were young," he said. "As a parent, it couldn’t touch your heart more to know your brothers and your sister love each other."
After the fall, it was Jeffrey who pulled Andrew from the water.
"One of the things that Andrew ended up saying was, ‘don’t move me. It hurts,' " Rich Lusink said. "Don’t know how much time they got to spend or if it was Jeffrey’s need to go get help... both of them being each other’s hero,"
With no cell service available from the remote area, Jeffrey left his brother's side and ran down the trail to get help. He eventually found three hikers who went to render aid, but then had to run another five miles before he found a forest worker. That forest worker then drove down the mountain to get within cell range and call 911. By the time rescue workers reached the boys, they had died.
Now, Lusink's family will rely on their religion to provide solace.
"He totally believed in people living free in their lives and it would lead them to Jesus," said Laurie Lusink, Andrew's mother. "That was his passion."
Rich added: "We have a confidence in knowing this life is not all there is and that he’s in a better place, and so with that we mourn, we cry, but we also have joy."
"(He was) somebody who loves people," said Rich Lusink. "He has a heart for God."
His 16-year-old son Andrew died Sunday along with Andrew's 18-year-old classmate Ben Skagen when they fell 100 feet while on a hike to Otter Falls in the Snoqualmie National Forest. Andrew's 18-year-old brother Jeffrey and another classmate were there and rushed to help, but the boys later died.
Rich Lusink said Andrew was into soccer and basketball. His last soccer game was Saturday and even scored a goal.
"He loves to compete, but in that competing he loves to lift up his teammates," Rich Lusink said.
Andrew and Jeffrey were also into hiking.
"Not just pleasure-seeking, they go and they explore," Rich Lusink said. "The two other boys that were with them had a similar heart for the outdoors ... and for seeing places and going places."
He said the brothers were inseparable.
"They loved to be together, the two of them ever since they were young," he said. "As a parent, it couldn’t touch your heart more to know your brothers and your sister love each other."
After the fall, it was Jeffrey who pulled Andrew from the water.
"One of the things that Andrew ended up saying was, ‘don’t move me. It hurts,' " Rich Lusink said. "Don’t know how much time they got to spend or if it was Jeffrey’s need to go get help... both of them being each other’s hero,"
With no cell service available from the remote area, Jeffrey left his brother's side and ran down the trail to get help. He eventually found three hikers who went to render aid, but then had to run another five miles before he found a forest worker. That forest worker then drove down the mountain to get within cell range and call 911. By the time rescue workers reached the boys, they had died.
Now, Lusink's family will rely on their religion to provide solace.
"He totally believed in people living free in their lives and it would lead them to Jesus," said Laurie Lusink, Andrew's mother. "That was his passion."
Rich added: "We have a confidence in knowing this life is not all there is and that he’s in a better place, and so with that we mourn, we cry, but we also have joy."
@Lee you shouldn't judge people, and no The parents aren't using the Media to try to get money. They are real down to earth people. There son was an awesome kid he served others before himself. No one should have to bury there child,  but its life and it happens, sorry for your loss as well. Yes the parents are griefing and I was at there house until 3 in the morning when the chaplan arrived with the surrving son and fourth hiker. Its the media the trives on the attention, just look at the Head line story all day yesturday for people like you post your option which in this case is meaning less to his family and friends.  I consider myself a dear friend of the family since I had seen Andrew grow up being a role modle for my son. There so called "clumsy" kid had more integrity than you will ever have, and he was only 16.
Our heart weeps for both loving persons !!
My condolenses to the family of both young men.  Gone way too soon.  My thoughts and prayers are with them in their time of sorrow.
I know they dont need the money they are begging for on channel 13 news for his college fund. The kid is gone so they just want money for themselves, Creepy.
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That you would arrive at such a conclusion (and then take time to post your worthless thoughts here) - THAT'S creepy.
@Verticalling   beggers arent worthless?  u sound creepy.
 @lee206 Well I watched the News I see it as they need to help cover the cost to give their son a funeral they cost around 15,000 min. Most parents don't plan for that. And to respond to a insensitive prick like you. I Hope when you have a loved one die! People will judge you and mock you and cast judgment on you! How do you know they don't need the money? You have their balance sheet? You know their budget? You are a typical Progressive Democrat! You think every one that might have nice home or drive a nicer car then you is loaded. Maybe they are in hock up to their eye balls? Maybe the dad lost his Job? and their home might be close to foreclosure? As my Indian fathers said don't judge a man till you walk a mile in his shoes.
@wynooheeman @lee206 my son was shot to death and i didnt beg money for his funeral. I didnt feel it was the publics responsibility even though i didnt have the money i borrowed it and paid it back ive lost my grandmother mother and son and i still dont feel its the publics responsibility to bury my loved ones. You must be for Georger Zimmermans begging too cause he shot a kid.  Pay your own bills folks. Take care of your own family.
 @wynooheeman  @lee206 "don't judge a man till you walk a mile in his shoes" So you walked a mile in lee206's shoes before you judged him?
@BornAndRaisedInWAÂ Â Â u sound really stupid and childless Â
 @lee206  Sounds like your clumsy kid was involved with something he shouldn't have been and got himself shot. For being so proud you have one heck of a chip on your shoulder
@Just_Mike @wynooheeman Thank you Just_Mike my son was shot to death through his car killer left to run free a much worse death than slipping off a cliff. We were crime victims and i still didnt ask for public money for his funeral. I was too busy grieving to be greedy like that or think to use it for an excuse to con people out of their hard earned money. They should be busy grieving not scamming on peoples sympathy for money to help bury their clumsy kid.
You are a stranger to righteous anger.
I see the parents are on the news today trying to use this to get money from the public as if they are a church or something. Nice way to use the lords name to beg. The public didnt let their young boys go and do dangerous things why should the public give the parents money? For not watching their own boys better? Someone killed my kid and i didnt ask any public for money or use my kid that way. Reminds me of George Zimmerman. All in the lords name. Wow. Thats what prisoners do  suddenly finding the lord.....
Why do you care who people give their money to? Are you poor? Needy? Unemployed and can't get work? Or are you just jealous that someone cares about something other than your own life?
its just sad ppl try to take money for others to take care of their own responsibilities.Isnt this a post for opinions? I see you are on here posting yours....
@lee206 First off, it's capital "L" Lord. Secondly, is this really necessary? You have no idea what challenges the family is facing or what costs will be associated with the burial and everything else. Don't want to donate then don't.Â
@makeadifference  sorry ive already faced them and i still didnt beg
My heart aches. I am a Christian and am glad that He is your source of comfort during this horrible time.  Your son's testimony is such a beautiful reflection of Jesus. I am praying for you Laurie and Rich, also for the other family who lost their son. Â
There's a hike near there where you hike to the bottom of some falls, and wowee, is it ever slick. Even though it's a very short descent, we were all bleeding by the time we scrambled up. Â It's hard to imagine 100 feet though, yikes. Â Commendable that the second boy tried to help without concern for his own safety. Â May the Lord comfort and strengthen all in this tragedy, including the hikers who stayed with the boys, and especially the brother who ran for help and the parents of both. Â Hard times ahead for them.
I wish I could say or do something to help. All the boys seem like really good people and it's so tragic to lose two of them. They will be missed and cherished always.
What an awesome young man. My condolences to the family and friends. May you find comfort, and peace in this time of deep sorrow.
I'm so sorry for your loss, my heart breaks for the families and especially the brother. God's peace be with you.
Im so sorry for your loss. So glad that you have your faith to see you through this sad time. God Bless you.
"Dear is the spot where Christians sleep, And sweet the strains that angels pour. O ! why should we in anguish weep ? They are not lost, but gone before."
Condolences to the family and friends and to all those he inspired. Sounds like a wonderful brother who will be greatly missed.
My condolences to you and your family. God's peace be with you in your time of loss.
"His last soccer game was Saturday and even scored a goal."
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Your preoccupation with your obsessive mind is sad and self-centered.
 @caphillkid What about the comment do you not understand?
Your kindness and compassion is touching. Think of the families and friends,
Not how you would write the story....wow.
caphillkid just likes coming on here and writing things to make people mad and stir up hate. It is very sad.
 @caphillkid that means he loved soccer, played a game last saturday, and even scored a goal.