CLEVELAND — Chris Wenzler, had an incomparable dedication to John Carroll University. For three decades, he served as its sports information director, mentoring more than 300 students over the years.
About a month before he passed away, we talked about what the university meant to him.
“I don't do things for awards or anything. I just want to do a good job for John Carroll University and the athletic department. And that's my goal, you know, to help them," Chris said on May 22.
He made a mark on students, colleagues and friends along the way, with a unique combination of heart, hard work, and love.
“I just think he had this passion that was matched by his work ethic. And he just cared so deeply about all the little things. I think that his legacy is in the community that he built around himself," explained Mike Scanlan, Chris's longtime friend and colleague.
Chris's community, cared back, dubbing themselves, "Wenzler's Warriors," for the last two years as he battled multiple myeloma.
“You treat people the right way. You lead by example. People are bound to notice ... and I mean, they, definitely noticed with Chris," Mike said.
No one noticed the profound effect Chris had on people, more than Mike.
“Just being in his presence -- I either always learned something, or I always felt better about myself walking away," Mike said.
The two were exceptionally close for 15 years. Chris was a mentor to Mike as a student employee, then they became colleagues.
Back in May, Mike ran a marathon in Chris's honor. He raised more than $28,000 for his friend, to offset the costs of his medical treatment.
The starting line, was right in front of Chris's home. He didn't feel well that morning, but he insisted on being at the finish line when his buddy crossed it.
“All of a sudden, he was right in front of me, and he had his arms stretched out. That is a hug that I will never forget," Mike remembered. "It was the culmination of, you know, my journey, I'm training for a marathon and raising money for the Wenzler's, but also, in that moment, was two and a half years of a cancer battle for Chris."
Chris was an ever-present father to daughter Madeline, and son Oliver, and a dedicated husband to his wife Melissa. He was a man who never wanted his family to be anyone other than themselves.
“I took a year off of college -- he wasn't upset. He just wanted me to find my way. He just wanted me to shine in my way," Oliver said of his dad.
“He always treated people with the utmost respect and met people on an equal level. No one was below him or above him. He just saw you as a person," Madeline said of her dad.
Chris passed away on June 23 at his home, on his own terms. He waited for his mom and dad before he moved on from this world to the next.
“His family, his parents, who are from Virginia, arrived around 5:30, and about 5:50 is when he took his last breath," Melissa said of the moment.
Both children honored their dad at his funeral with courage passed down from him. They will miss sharing memories at JCU.
“You know, it's going to be hard not seeing him there. It's a little tough knowing that that's not going to be the same feeling, watching a basketball game in the winter time with him," Oliver said.
Madeline will miss picking up the phone to hear his voice.
“Just being able to call him and ask him what he's up to, and tell him what I'm doing or tell him something funny I heard today," she said of her dad.
Melissa will miss the small moments that seem so much bigger now.
"We love finding cool little local places to go and eat and hang out. There's still those little things that we did together. It's gonna be really hard without him here to do that stuff with," she said of her husband.
But the Wenzler's will go on, embraced by the love so many had for Chris. They've had hundreds of messages of support.
And just before he went, Chris had one last message, too:
"For 26 months, I put up a good fight," he wrote in a final Facebook post.
Now, that fight lives on in his wife, his children, and a legacy at John Carroll University rich with Chris Wenzler.
For more information on how to help Chris's memorial foundation, click HERE.