Issue date: 3/29/07 Section: Campus News

Last week, UW-Eau Claire students were temporarily relieved of the pressures of studying and test-taking, but just one day after classes ended, they were reminded of the harsh realities of life's uncertainties.

On the afternoon of March 16, senior Jason Schluter, 23, from Lyndon Station, along with five others, including four Eau Claire students, was on his way to enjoy a week free from classes in Florida.

One hundred miles from the Georgia-Florida border, an airborne tractor-trailer tire sliced through Schluter's van.

The accident killed junior Jason Buchmeier, 21, from Mauston, and left Schluter injured at The Medical Center of Central Georgia in Macon. Two days later, Schluter also lost his life due to his injuries sustained in the accident.

Those who remember Schluter recall his outgoing, fun-loving nature.

Sophomore Dewey Burns, Schluter's cousin, remembers when his cousin wrote an autobiography in the eighth grade.

"The first line in it was, 'I was born as a beautiful, bouncy baby boy who brought joy to everyone I met,'" Burns said. "Him saying that in eighth grade is perfect in how to describe who he was," adding that Schluter was "crazy and full of life."

Sophomore and good friend Billy Pedretti also remembers Jason's outgoing personality.

"(Jason) was always ready to go - fired up, full of energy," Pedretti said. "There was never a dull moment."

Pedretti and Burns both said Schluter's outgoing personality was well-liked by all his friends.

The two also said Schluter was very social with everyone he met.

"Everyone he did meet he had a good time with," Burns said. "He loved to meet new people."

Pedretti had similar comments.

"He was liked by everybody," he said. "If you knew him, you liked him; you didn't really have a choice."

Junior Brittany Scholten said what she remembers most is Jason's smile and his ability to make others smile.

"Every time I saw him, he was really happy to see me," she said.

Scholten recalled one time when Schluter woke up and cooked steak and potatoes at 5 a.m.

"He was a really fun guy," she said.

Burns said he hopes people remember Jason's love of life and his fun-loving attitude.

In light of the tragedy that has struck the university, Burns and his friends will be creating a memorial bracelet similar to the LiveStrong bracelets to honor both students who lost their lives.

Burns met with friends last night to finalize the plans. The bracelets will have "Remember" across them with Schluter and Buchmeier's initials on either side.

Burns said they will cost $2. He also said the money left over will be put into a scholarship in the name of Buchmeier and some will be donated to a charity, which has yet to be determined, in Schluter's name.

Anyone who knew either Schluter or Buchmeier is invited to buy one and can contact Burns to order one.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools