?What should have been an enjoyable return from spring break was marred by tragedy Monday morning.?Sophomore Abraham ?Avi? Kurganoff passed away in his Davis dorm room March 12.?An email sent to the UVM Community from Tom Gustafson, vice president of student and campus life, stated the cause of death as still undetermined, but no foul play was suspected.?No medical information had been released yet, but Kurganoff had been complaining of back pain following a recent snowboarding accident, said John Abbott, assistant director for outdoor programs.?Kurganoff had felt ill the day before he passed and had been transported to Fletcher Allen Hospital, Abbott said.?A social work major in the College of Education and Social Services, Kurganoff was a student heavily invested in sharing his passion for the outdoors with others.?He was involved in several organizations such as the John Dewey House for Civic Engagement, Alternative Spring Break, the Kayak Club and Outing Club.?He had also recently begun his own wilderness therapy program with underprivileged Burlington youths, a project that he had started back in his native Illinois.?The outpouring of comments from friends and classmates indicate that Kurganoff was a student known for his wide smile, affability and especially his love for the wilderness.??Avi was a one of a kind adventurer,? sophomore Hillary Laggis said. ?He would come back from breaks with incredible stories about whitewater rafting, snowboarding and backpacking adventures.??He experienced more in 20 years than most experience in a lifetime,? she said.?Senior Deborah Isen described Kurganoff as someone who strived to make a difference through service work.??He had this incredible passion for improving people?s lives,? she said.?In the unusually warm weather March 12, students were seen outside and on the steps of Bailey/Howe Library crying and consoling each other.?That evening, people filled the Billings Lounge for a memorial service to ?celebrate Avi? hosted by the Outing Club.?Abbott, who led the service, said it was ?flat-out the worst day I?ve had at UVM.??Long periods of silence and sniffling were frequently interrupted by bouts of laughter as students shared memories of Kurganoff.?One student said Kurganoff had a way of finding beauty in what others may find boring, a sentiment that seemed to be echoed in the stories told by other attendees.?During the service, students praised Kurganoff for his boldness, bravery and willingness to lead others.?As the UVM community deals with the loss of one of its own, those who knew Kurganoff have planned outdoor activities such as a kayak trip and sunset ski ride on Bolton Valley in his memory.?The University is currently planning a community gathering in remembrance of Kurganoff.?Students in need of additional support are encouraged to contact UVM?s Counseling and Psychiatry Services at (802) 656-3340, according to the University email.?In the wake of his death, some students like Laggis said that there was much to learn from Kurganoff?s ?carpe diem? attitude in life.??I know he is on top of the highest mountain right now, enjoying the natural beauty that surrounds him and looking down on us,? she said. ?Let?s all take a moment to celebrate this incredible life.?UPDATE: A Gathering of Remembrance has been planned for Wednesday, March 21 at 4 p.m at the Ira Allen Chapel, according to an email sent to the UVM community from the Office of the President.?A reception for Kurganoff’s family, friends, faculty and staff will immediately follow the service in the Manor on the fourth floor of the Waterman building, the email stated.