I met Chude my first week of college and we stayed up talking till nearly 3 the first night we met. He was such an incredible person. He was the biggest ray of sunshine.  One time drove all the way to College Station to take me to Ring Dance last minute. He was truly the kindest and most selfless human I have ever met. I will never stop being thankful for having him in my life the years I did. He always knew how to make me smile and to be a good friend. I miss him so dearly. 

I remember the last time I saw you and spoke with physically as you drove us to the airport to catch a flight to New York. You had to reschedule an appointment with your realtor to take  us to the airport. We still don’t understand why and the family especially your mum miss you so much. Rest In Peace A Chu Boy. 

I remember the first time I met Chude. He had this electric personality that was very contagious. He was always making everyone laugh. I had the privilege of working with him when we both had to travel to Nacogdoches. He gave me advice for the rotational program we were both in and cultured me in the Aggie ways haha. I'll miss the moments where my Coog spirit would clash with his Aggie spirit, but we would find a way to bash on UT. Chude was such an inspiration to me, and I was heartbroken to see him go so soon. He was one of the people I hoped would become my boss one day. You may be gone from this world Chude, but your memories will live on in all of us. 

It seems like it was only yesterday that I met someone who was not only destined to be a future chemical engineer, but an amazing person to be around as well. Chude Valentine Okwuwa was an individual who had a talent to make any stressful situation relaxing. Even when everyone was stressing out due to an imminent exam or when a deadline for a project was coming up, he managed to diffuse the tension and make everybody relax and realize that life isn't worth getting uptight over an exam or a project. This lesson that he taught everyone has helped me out in life because it made me realize that the most important things in life that really matter at the end of the day are the time that you spend and the memories that you make with other people. These are the things that will never be forgotten. I'm happy to have met Chude. I'm happy that you showed me that even engineers can be outgoing and have a social life that doesn't revolve around academia, and I'm happy that you were able to teach a person who was very reserved that opening up to people is easy and just takes practice. Rest in peace Chude. Your memory will forever live on in the minds of the people whose lives you have touched. I will never forget those days in the Jack E. Brown Chemical Engineering Building with you and everyone else.

"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened."

- Dr. Seuss

Chude was a true friend. He never judged or criticized me. He accepted me for who I am. Not what I am, but who I am. He encouraged me to reach my full potential. He pushed me to be my best. He showed sympathy and compassion to me in difficult times. He believed in me. Do you know what it’s like to be accepted and believed in? It builds a strong connection and generates confidence. With his encouragement and kind words, I felt that I could overcome any obstacle. 

Chude was always different. He always marched to the beat of his own drum. I admired him for that. In a world where everyone wants you to be one way or another, he chose to be himself always, for better or for worse. That’s what drew people to him; he was authentic and original. He gave me the courage to embrace who I am and to appreciate my differences. He taught me that it’s OK to be who you are wherever you go and whoever you’re with. He taught me that it’s possible to spread your love and energy simply with a kind word or a hug. He taught me that a formality like a handshake or salutation is no substitute for a grand embrace. He showed me the restorative power of humor and that it’s important never to take yourself too seriously.

Chude taught me that we must try to see each other not how everyone else sees, because we usually look only at the outward appearance; instead we must look inward to the heart. Chude had a great, warm heart. If you were with him, there’s no way your spirits could not be lifted. He could make you believe for just a moment that the world was a better place. His warmness and light spread to all the people he met. The things that are seen are temporal, but the things that are not seen are eternal. Chude’s big heart and love will live on forever through us and our lives. I hope I can continue to learn from what he taught me and to be even a fraction of the amazing human being that he was to me. 

I met Chude my Freshman year in college while he was studying OCHEM and I was studying accounting in the same hallway at our dorm (he kept forgetting that I lived there too but that’s another story). During his study break he was practicing some two-step moves and after some talking encouraged me, a complete stranger, to come out to Harry’s to two-step with them (I was stressed about exams and kindly rejected!). Ever since that day I always saw Chude around our dorm and later in the chemical engineering building (Jack E Brown aka JEB) when we started taking chemical engineering classes together. He was always approachable!

People at school could always recognize him not just by his smile and his outgoing character, but he always wore the same outfit to class: a blue jacket with or without the hoodie (depending on the day), a T-shirt, basketball shorts and his Beat headphones. You know when Chude was in the computer lab because you will hear his cheering from behind two  computer screens, cheering on any sporting event that was on (don’t worry he did his homework on the second computer screen). 

Chude was not only a brilliant student but an amazing coworker. I kept in touch with him after he graduated and ended up at his company’s booth at the career fair. He greeted me with a big hug when I stopped by, and later left me a note on my desk for my first day of work. We ended up on the A&M recruiting team together, where he was our best recruiter by attracting all the students to our booth with his out-of-the-world personality. He had all the students laughing at all the recruiting events we went to, always mentioning that he wanted to recruit just to grab water from the career fair’s (recruiter only) drink cart. “Another lunch and learn? Man I already forgot all my jokes!”

I will miss our weekly conversations ranging from free food at work to Kingdom Hearts and how to cook chicken properly. Thank you for your memories and your impact to my life.

Ah Chu boy, Chude, this whole thing is not making sense to me. I have thought about it long and hard and I'm still as confused as I was when I first heard the  devasting words "Chude Okwuwa is dead!" You were exactly three weeks old on the day I officially became your aunt and you were like a son to me. I took you for children's birthday parties and posed around with you. You always made sure to come around when we are in Houston.  Our family will not be the same without you. My last trip to Houston,  you drove me to the airport,  little did I know that it will be the last time I will see you alive. We miss you, Ah Chu Boy. 
May you find eternal peace in the bosom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  Amen. 

The summer or 2004 changed my life - I met Spider-Man! At least that’s what Chude made me call him! He was so committed, so determined to demonstrate his powers that he would try to hang from walls, spewing imaginary webs from his wrists! Chude was the best baby cousin, bringing joy and laughter to us all.  His determination inspired me, despite the distance. 

My heart is broken that he’s gone, and I don’t know that I’ll ever truly come to terms with it.

I will love and miss you always, my very own Spider-Man, my amazing baby cousin, Chude. May your soul rest in peace xoxo

Chude, you are so dearly missed by everyone. Not one of your accomplishments and awesome traits went unnoticed. May God comfort your mum, siblings, entire extended family and friends. Your death has left a vacuum, an unfathomable, gut-wrenching one. The grief... the heaviness... oh Lord, have mercy. 
Rest now, young one. Rest in perfect peace. 


Chude , it is so hard to believe that you are gone to soon. I  am taking it very hard that i will not see you anymore.  I will miss your simile and your jokes. May your gentle soul rest in perfect peace.

Chude was  a funny, charismatic young man who as smart as he was witty. He loved family and it showed in everything he did.

Chude, you will definatly be missed. 

Rest in peace. 

Forever thankful for the moments I spent with Chude from studying, eating out, dancing, playing FIFA, tavelling, or talking about Spanish or health or real estate or many other forward thinking topics.  I always admired the energy, positivity, and joy he brought to anything he did. Combined with his drive and ambitions and consistency it was beautiful seeing him evolve and be part of his growth from a sophomore at A&M to an experienced employee at Enterprise, and a great character most importantly. 

I am very sad Chude is gone but I'm very happy he played a role in my life that will last forever. 

CHUDE. Gone too soon.May your soul  rest in perfect peace. Surely I  will miss those strong hugs you give me. You are  gone but never  to be forgotten. Bye till we meet again.ADIEU.
Aunty  P

The sound of your laughter still echoes in my ears. 
It saddens me that you're gone from us,
But you left behind such wonderful memories.
We love you and miss you
I know I will see again someday.
Rest in peace Chude.

Chude's smile and laugh lit up a room. I knew him in high school and he was caring, kind, exuberant, and excited for life, may he rest in peace. 

OBITUARY

Ifechukwude "Chude" Valentine Okwuwa

January 22, 1994 – September 9, 2019

Chapel of Eternal Peace at Forest Park

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