Community Remembers 'One of a Kind' Guy

Even on his worst day, Robert Nagel found a way to smile. 

And it showed. In practically every one of the dozens of pictures displayed at Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Church - from his infant years through his teen years - Nagel had a genuine smile across his face. 

On Friday, hundreds filled the North Wales Catholic church to pay their final respects to a smile and a life gone too soon. Nagel, a 2010 Hatboro-Horhsam graduate, died in a car crash last weekend along with friend and fellow Hatter, . Nagel was 19. 

Nagel's younger brother, Connor, remembered his brother's perpetual smile. 

"His ridiculous, goofy behavior is one of a kind," said Connor, a rising senior at Hatboro-Horsham. "He taught me everything I know. He taught me to be strong. That's why I'm standing up here right now."

Since his brother's untimely death, Connor said complete strangers have come up to hug him and offer support. 

"It was like everybody was Robert's brother," Connor said. "(You only had to) talk to him 30 seconds to know how great of a guy he was ... Hopefully I can be half the man he was."

Following three readings from Nagel's girlfriend Alyssa Beisel, teacher Jennifer Deitch and friend Brian Ambron, the priest leading the service described the ever-smiling Nagel as a peacemaker.

"He was one who tried to make peace," the priest said. "He tried to reconcile."

So much so that Nagel's friend, Darryl Neville, one of three passengers who survived , said Nagel would "want us to be cheerful."

"Last night I told myself I was going to write something up," Neville said upon stepping onto the altar to address the crowd. "If I did that I would've missed the service."

Neville said he could have written pages and pages about the young man he described as one of the best friends he'll ever have. 

In recalling the precursor to a trip to Six Flags Great Adventure, Neville said he woke a sleeping Nagel, who had dozed at his house to see if he still wanted to go to the amusement park. 

Neville said Nagel opened his eyes, and with a smile said, "More flags, more fun."

An avid fisherman and a standout lacrosse player at Hatboro-Horsham, Nagel liked to dress as casual as his demeanor, according to his friend. Neville shared memories of trips to pick Nagel up where Nagel would greet him wearing his customary T-shirt, basketball shorts and flip flops. 

The priest encouraged mourners to "continue to tell the stories to deal with the grief."

Nagel, after all, would want everyone to remember happier times and the smile he forever imparted on those who knew and loved him. 

Keeping Robert Nagel's memory alive

• As Robert Nagel's family struggles with finances in the wake of his death, an account has been set up at TD Bank. Contributions can be made in person to the Robert Nagel Memorial Fund at any TD branch or by mail to TD Bank, 929 Horsham Road, Horsham, PA. 19044. 
• T-shirt and sweatshirt orders will be taken Aug. 13 only at , 316 Horsham Road (in the Giant plaza) from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. T-shirts cost $15 and sweatshirts cost $30. Orders will be placed on Aug. 13 and must be paid for at the time of order. Proceeds will benefit the Nagel family. For more information, visit the Facebook page, or call Marisa Verros at 215-292-7663.
•  will donate 20 percent of customer checks to the Nagel family from Aug. 13 through Aug. 20. (Be sure to mention the Nagel family when placing orders). Call 215-674-1189 for pickup or delivery.
• A fundraiser will be held on Tuesday at the Rita's in Warrington (across the street from Regal Cinemas) to help cover the funeral expenses for Robert Nagel. Proceeds from purchases made will be donated to the family.
• "Only the Good Die Young" bracelets are being sold for $5 with all money being donated to the Nagel family. The bracelets, similar to the Livestrong bracelets, have the initials of Edward Coombs and Robert Nagel on the underside and the words, "Only the Good Die Young" on the front. For more information on purchasing a bracelet, call Brooks Newcomb at 267-577-0630.