The Contour of Luxury Fall/Winter 2018 | Page 579

n an’t can’t ilies amilies are are in in assion Can’t mpassion Can’t on helps helps with with allow these to allow these child’s y t their at their child’s rophic illness. tastrophic illness. ft financial swift financial unprecedented n unprecedented Andre e Andre Sobel Sobel dation’s 20th oundation’s 20th e Contour Contour of of ecognizes the the recognizes he Compassion Compassion ization has has ganization he the last last two two an expression was an expression rwin Erwin Sobel’s Sobel’s child’s name eir child’s name of their loss loss t of their ssion that that has has mission ANDRE… ANDRE… Andre Sobel was was a remarkable young man man who who had had natural dignity, Andre Sobel a remarkable young natural dignity, a promising future, and and an unconventional sense of humor. Andre’s a promising future, an unconventional sense of humor. Andre’s young life life ended just just one one year year after he was diagnosed with a brain young ended after he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He He was was 19. 19. He He was was the the beloved son son of Erwin and and Valerie tumor. beloved of Erwin Valerie Sobel and and brother to Simone. Sobel brother to Simone. Andre was was well traveled, often seeking destinations that that were Andre well traveled, often seeking destinations were frequented by by his his favorite authors, like; Rabelais, Samuel Beckett, frequented favorite authors, like; Rabelais, Samuel Beckett, St. St. Augustine and and Franz Kafka. Augustine Franz Kafka. The The books Andre left left behind were filled with his his margin comments, books Andre behind were filled with margin comments, underlinings, and and asterisks, indicating his his intellectual curiosity and and underlinings, asterisks, indicating intellectual curiosity burgeoning spirituality. But But the the finest of all gifts gifts were his his qualities burgeoning spirituality. finest of his all his were qualities of mercy and and compassion. To To honor Andre and and out out of their deep of mercy compassion. honor Andre of their deep love love and and respect for for him, his his family established the the Andre Sobel respect him, family established Andre Sobel River of Life Foundation. River of Life Foundation. Erwin Sobel , his , his father died died within a year of his son son and and their tragic Erwin Sobel father within a year of his their tragic deaths moved Valerie to help others who who are are going through what her her deaths moved Valerie to help others going through what family had had to endure. family to endure.