Lamine was kind, humorous, and always wanted to help other people. He loved to have fun with friends. He made friends easily and was a person you would never forget even if you met him for the first time in a group of more than a hundred people. Always smiling, his voice came out with unparalleled intensity and he was warm and cheerful. Most of those who have known him and lived will agree that it was very rare to see Lamine sad. Although like all other human beings he had both good and bad days, you would have not recognized his bad days because a bad day would not change his smile and love. It was this persona that made him known to so many people at the University of Ohio and everywhere he lived before and after. He was able to make friends from various African countries and outside Africa. Lamine has left a lasting impression on the lives of so many people and there is no doubt that his death has hit so hard everyone who was lucky to know him.

Lamine was born on 18 August 1989, in Senegal, West Africa. While he was still a child, he moved with his parents to the US where he spent most of his life. After completing high school in Bloomington, IN, Lamine joined Indiana University at Bloomington where he obtained a BA in French and Minors in Sociology and Wolof in 2013. In addition, he also received a certificate in African Studies from the same university. In August 2014, Lamine joined Ohio University at Athens, where he graduated with an MA in International Studies in 2016. After his graduating from Ohio University, Lamine joined Ohio State University in Columbus, OH, where he was doing another master's degree in Community Development (Social Work).

Lamine became sick while he was still in Columbus. In May 2019, his family lost contact with him. Even after several attempts, Lamine did not respond to texts from his brother, Adama, and at that point, his brother knew something needed his intervention. "Anyone who knows Lamine knows he is always willing to help others. At this moment it was my turn to do the same for him. With the aid of his friends and members of the community in Columbus Ohio, where he was working to obtain a Master's in Social Work, I was able to locate him," Says Adama.

When his brother finally found him, he realized that Lamine was suffering from the symptoms belonging to "a serious motor system disorder". According to Adama, similar symptoms had befallen their mother and it was Lamine who, at the time, committed himself to help her through these challenges. "Lamine fully cared for our mother at an unthinkably young age and as a student. Lamine's unexplained illness left him unable to reach out for help and with no understanding of what was going on." Adds Adama. Lamine was always there for others, and now he needed someone to step up for him. Adama did that on behalf of the family, friends, and all of us.

Adama worked with Lamine to find a remedy for Lamine's sickness, and they along with Lamine's doctors at the Eskenazi Health in Indianapolis found out that he was suffering from a very rare neurological disorder. Adam says that "after speaking with Lamine, his doctors, and evaluating the options for treatment, it became clear that the best course of action if possible, was for Lamine to be home with our family in Senegal." Adama helped Lamine to fly back to Senegal, where he reunited with his family. An update from Adama shows that "in the month since returning home to Senegal, Lamine showed amazing improvement. He was alert, talking, and moving much better than before. Unfortunately, after suddenly catching a fever, he passed away on the morning of Friday 10/30/2020." Lamine was laid to rest on the same day he died. Lamine is survived by daughter Ndeye-Awa Rassoul Sylla who just turned 6.

We friends of Lamine, most of us alumni and current graduate students at Ohio University, decided to create this GatheringUS memorial to celebrate the life of our dear friend, Lamine, and for remembering his love, kindness, and friendship. Please use this memorial to share condolences, stories, and photos of Lamine. Sharing your stories and memories here will offer great comfort to Lamine's family and all of us. In lieu of flowers, you can make a donation to his memorial fund which will help his little daughter. In addition, we are organizing a virtual celebration of his life on Saturday, November 07, at 1:00 pm (EST). Please attend and share your story about how you will remember Lamine. Thank you for contributing to this lasting memorial.