UConn student remembered as easy-going, carefree

Almost six weeks after his death, UConn student Kameron Pedraza, known as Kam by family and friends, is remembered for his carefree, easy-going nature.

Pedraza, a resident of Bloomfield, died Feb. 12. He had taken time off from his classes at UConn at the time of his death, according to an e-mail from John Saddlemire, vice president of Student Affairs.

Pedraza entered UConn in the fall of 2006 as an undecided engineering major. Kevin McLaughlin, Pedraza's undergraduate advisor, remembers him as a friendly student. McLaughlin, who also had Pedraza in his introduction level engineering class, said that Pedraza was just like many other college students. "He wasn't overly shy," McLaughlin said. "He seemed like a really nice kid."

James Koch, an 8th-semester political science major, was Pedraza's roommate and friend. "Kam was an outstanding roommate and individual on every level," Koch said. He remembers enjoying spending time with Pedraza watching movies and TV and just "lounging around" their apartment.

Koch went on to say that Pedraza always put other individuals before himself and was well-liked by those who knew him. He asked that Pedraza be remembered as the "smiling, happy-go-lucky Kam, carefree and collected."

Pedraza enjoyed playing basketball and was involved in the community, volunteering for several non-profit organizations including Special Olympics, according to his obituary in the Hartford Courant. Pedraza was described as a "loving, caring, and gentle person."

Pedraza was also an assistant coach to elementary and high school students for the Future Basketball Organization and was looking forward to an engineering internship at Konica Minolta, Inc., in Windsor at the time of his death.

Mun Choi, dean of the School of Engineering, said in an e-mail that the department was "saddened by the loss" of Pedraza.

In a Facebook group dedicated to Pedraza, friends and family members offered support to one another as well as left messages for Pedraza such as "rest in eternal peace" and "only the good die young." Members of the group described Pedraza as an "inspiration" as well as a "true gentleman."

Condolences can be sent to Pedraza's family via the Dean of Students Office, located in room 202 of the Wilbur Cross Building.

"It's easy for me to wish I had more time with [Kameron], that we could have done more together," Koch said. "If I could say anything to Kam today it would be that I miss him, and that he's helped me to grow up."