After Tyler Hedtke’s passing in 2024 at the age of 29, his brain was donated to the UNITE Brain Bank for research. Below, the Hedtke family shares a Legacy Story to honor his memory.
Warning: This story contains mentions of suicide that may be triggering to some readers.
Tyler was his parents’ firstborn, deeply-beloved child. He was a sweet, curious boy and hilarious big brother. He was a full-tilt football player and a lifelong, committed friend. He graduated from high school in 2013, earned an associate’s degree in automotive technology, and had a passion for fast cars, his favorite being BMWs. Tyler held a universal curiosity for life’s adventures, meaning, and beyond. He loved deeply and tried hard, fully expecting to master every skill on his first attempt. His teen years and adulthood were complicated by addiction and the search for contentment. He saw himself as a leaf on a river and encouraged us to resist trying to control the river. He helped and was helped by many people. Tyler died by suicide; choosing to be done struggling to find peace. We wish that he could have realized his greatness…maybe he has.
“Today well-lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness and every tomorrow a vision of hope. Look well therefore to this day.”
~Francis Gray