A 22-year-year-old championship swimmer died early Sunday while on a visit to Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pa., according to Lancasteronline.
The cause of his death remains a mystery, the newspaper reports. From the article:
Police were called to the common area of a suite in Thomas Hall shortly before 5 a.m. Sunday and found Philip Rehders, 22, unresponsive, Lancaster city police spokesman Sgt. Todd Umstead said Monday.
Rehders, of Rumson, N.J., was taken to Lancaster General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
According to college President John Fry, Rehders, who graduated in May with a degree in English, traveled to F&M from Philadelphia on Saturday, arriving on campus about 8 p.m.
Fry said Rehders was accompanied by a friend, also an F&M graduate.
School officials are trying to determine what happened, Fry said, but little is known other than Rehders had been out with friends before he died.
“We’re trying to put together a chronology of events,” Fry said. “It’s fair to say he was with friends at an off-campus apartment, but that was not all the stops.”
A news release from Lancaster city police Capt. Pete Anders stated that Rehders had consumed alcohol prior to his death.
Umstead said an autopsy was performed Monday morning. He said the coroner will determine the cause of death after toxicology tests are complete.
“We don’t know anything for sure at this point,” Umstead said. “We don’t believe his death was related to any criminal activity. But we are labeling it suspicious. There are a lot of unanswered questions.”
Rehders was captain of the F&M men’s swim team his junior and senior years and holds the school record in the 100-yard butterfly. He also was a member of the Centennial Conference record-holding 400-medley relay team.
Fry said the men’s swimming team won three of its last four Centennial Conference swimming championships. After each win, he said, he hosted a celebration for the team at his home.
“Phil would always be there,” he said. “He was a fantastic kid and great athlete.”
Citing Rehders’ determination, Fry called him a model swim team captain.
“You don’t get elected as a leader two years in a row if you’re not,” he said.
Although Rehders was successful and won many competitions, Fry said, he, like his fellow teammates, was humble.
“They are a serious, hardworking, self-effacing group,” Fry said. “They don’t brag about their accomplishments. They are confident in a quiet way.”
Rehders is survived by his parents, Ken and Meg Rehders, also of Rumson, and two siblings.
I heard it was an overdose, possibly alcohol or drugs. What a shame.
Moderator, delete IJUSTHEARD'S comment. This is shameful.
I agree with rumrunner…PLEASE delete IJUSTHEARD'S comment. It's disgraceful and disrespectful to Philip and his family.
What's with you people. What is disrespectful about the truth?. Maybe it will stop my daughter from doing the same thing. You guys must be catholic priest's. Get the point. See where keeping quiet gets you. I heard it was alcohol too. And my daughter was shaken up. Hopefully it scared her enough to not drink. If this poor kid's death stops one or two others from overdosing or over drinking, he won't have died for nothing. If it turns out he died of some other cause, I'll apologize.
Moderator, please delete HUH's comment because it is a shameful, disgraceful and disrespectful comment.
Louloubell,
You claim to know the truth?
Your comments are disrespectful.
How dare you sumbit something that will cause a family even more pain than they are going through.
You should be ashamed of yourself.
I am certain you never met Philip as you would show more empathy towards he and his family.
My Apologies,the above message for HUH not Louloubell
Until an official cause of death is determined, let's not talk about what "we heard the cause was" and call it the truth. This young man's family and friends are in enough pain.
MR. WARD, WHEN YOU POST SUCH A TRAGIC STORY, TRY TAKING THE FAMILY'S FEELINGS INTO CONSIDERATION AND NOT ALLOW ANY, I REPEAT ANY AREA FOR THESE HORRIBLE COMMENTS. THIS COULD HAPPEN TO ANY FAMILY AND FOR YOU PATHETIC PEOPLE TO MAKE SUCH COMMENTS, GOD HELP YOU……..MY HEART GOES OUT TO PHIL'S FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
JUST A THOUGHT MR. WARD, AFTER YOU POST A STORY LIKE THIS, TRY CHECKING THE SITE OFTEN TO DELETE SUCH NASTY, SICK COMMENTS FOR THESE SICK PEOPLE
I am drunk right now, but I am not dead. I guess 32 is different than 22…
But, if an illegal immigrant was found dead drunk in Red Bank, people would be all over this blog saying that the immigrants are ruining social mores. But, a rich Rumson kid may have overdosed and we have to keep quiet? Wake up Rumson/Fair Haven parents. YOur kids are drinking. They are drinking. IF this poor kids' death is (yet another) wake up call, then let it be so. If you're going to be mad at anyone, be mad at a stupid kid who threw his life away over a party.
why do you assume everyone from rumson is rich?
NCN: Fair comment. Not everyone in Rumson is rich. My point was that in an affluent community, children who drink seem to be tolerated, parents plead with police to not press charges when their kids are caught drinking, and the amount of wealth leads to kids with too much money, too many inattentive parents, and kids who don't sweat for their money. this leads to a party atmosphere. Has been going in Rumson since I grew up there.
But, for the record, you are right. Not everyone is rich.
From Wikipedia:
The median income for a household in the borough was $120,865, and the median income for a family was $140,668. Males had a median income of $100,000 versus $47,260 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $73,692. About 3.4% of families and 3.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.4% of those under age 18 and 0.7% of those age 65 or over.
Red Bank:
The median income for a household in the borough was $47,282, and the median income for a family was $63,333. Males had a median income of $45,922 versus $34,231 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $26,265. About 6.3% of families and 12.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.5% of those under age 18 and 10.6% of those age 65 or over.
May I make a suggestion to RedBankGreen? Don't allow commentary when there is a tragic mysterious death like this. Leave it alone; simply report the news of the passing. Remove the opportunity to comment in any way. It is the incident that is newsworthy and your journalistic instincts should be put into play … but journalistic integrity should tell you when to put the brakes on. Thank you.
This is America..we don't censor, even when it hurts. May I suggest an alternate solution. If you are a Redbankgreen reader and read about a tragedy, don't scroll down to read the comments if you think it will be hurtful. This is not a typical death. Young people don't usually die at the age of 22. People are trying to make sense of it…and part of making sense of it is being mad and frustrated.
Point well taken, Not In Russia. Censorship should not be tolerated in America. But censorship as it applies to the facts was never advocated. I expect a good journalistic medium to always have freedom of speech in reporting the facts. But is individual and anonymous opinion news? Is not printing personal opinions whether pro or con, that may or may not bear witness in fact, journalistic censorship? I appreciate your input and find this to be a fascinating discussion. Thank you for some civilized discourse.
Louloubelle,
I don't know what's worse - you treating a blogger's speculation as fact or your unapologetic ignorance. I completely agree with you that it would be best if Phil's death were not in vain. If it happened by way of drugs or alcohol, that maybe another's could be preserved because of Phil's legacy. However, the rest of the respondents seem to have it right - your stance is presumptive and insensitive. Phil has an outstanding reputation as a student and human being among his friends and classmates. You really should give him the benefit of the doubt before you publicly discuss your circumstantial inferences.
Hi ZZ, I think you were addressing HUH, not Louloubelle. That's me. I am not going by what a blogger said, I do have a little more info than this article to come to my conclusion. That is why I made my comments. I don't mean to be insensitive, I really feel horrible for the entire family. I was commenting on the overreaction of others, not making a personal attack or intending disrespect. After all, this is a forum.
personally I think anyone who didn't know phil should keep their mouths shut. I did know him, I knew him well. I swam with him and went to school with him and he was a good kind kid. if you didn't know him, kindly keep your thoughts to yourself and allow all of us who did know him to grieve.
I just wanted to say to all the stupid inconsiderate FUCKS that are saying these awful things right after this has happened. Also after the article that was written about him was so nice, and truthful. I went to school with Philip, he was a good person that didn't deserve to die for having a little fun, and for damn sure doesn't deserve your petty gossip. Grow the fuck up. Half of you are probably Rumson socilite drunks anyway.
This is all that matters today. Next week the lessons will be discussed.
Philip Edward Rehders, 22, of Rumson, son of Meg and Ken Rehders, died Sunday, Oct. 5, in Lancaster, Pa. Blessed with intelligence, talent, good looks and natural grace, Philip was a model son and big brother to David, Thomas and Marghy. Philip was a student-athlete at Rumson-Fair Haven High School and a campus leader and Dean's List student at Franklin and Marshall College, from which he graduated in May 2008. In high school, he was a three-time All-Shore swimmer and captain of the swim team. At F & M, he captained the Varsity Men's Swim Team his junior and senior years and served as freshman orientation coordinator. He holds four college and two Centennial Conference records. Philip's leadership style was motivational and nonjudgmental. He was a young man of compassion and understated support of people and causes in which he believed. While still a student in Rumson, he served as an acolyte at St. George's-by-the-River Church and participated actively in their Interfaith Hospitality Network program and REACH work camp. Philip understood the eloquent power of language. He was a journal keeper with a finely tuned ear for nuance and humor; he often entertained his family and friends as a wickedly funny raconteur. Before a standing-room-only crowd at a memorial service on the Franklin and Marshall College Campus Monday evening, Philip's favorite English professor quoted excerpts from both Philip's writing and his critiques of other students' work. When Philip died, his backpack contained two books in addition to his personal journal: "On Writing Well" by William Zinsser and a copy of collected short stories by O. Henry. Along with his passion for sports, music, reading and travel, Philip deeply valued personal relationships and was a perceptive observer of the human condition. He was spontaneous, upbeat and demonstrative, expressing his affection with great bear hugs and a winning smile.
He was predeceased by loving grandparents, Margie and Ed Kelly and Otto Rehders. In addition to his parents and siblings, Philip is survived by his beloved grandmother, Florence Rehders; 12 aunts and uncles; and nine cousins.
This is for the potty mouth. Three things. 1. You are adding to the gossip by admitting Phil died having a little fun. You dope.
2.You must be a RFH student, socilite is spelled socialite.
3.I don't drink.
it is truly a shame that Phil's death is being commented on by such ignorant people with too much time on their hands. This is an instance where i believe karma holds strong.
Phil was an amazing person who touched more lives in his short 22 years than most people do, even if they live to be 100. His beautifully written obituary is a testament to this. Phil's character, personality, intelligence, and strength were incomparable. Anyone who knew Phil knows that this is the truth, and that is all that matters.
RIP Phil, you are missed by everyone.
I second the remarks from kindness - Phil was a wonderful person who will be dearly missed. Let's respect the great things he has done instead of focusing on something that has yet to be proven to have been the the cause of his death.
Philip - you will always be remembered and loved.
Kenny, Meg, David, Thomas and Marghy - your friends are here for you.
And, from reading the wonderful obituary, I have a feeling that if Philip had survived what MIGHT (I say might) have been the result of typical college overindulgance, he would have been the first to go around to schools to counsel and teach and encourasge young people not to go down that path he took…One mistake, one evening, is all it takes for even a wonderful, intelligent and responsible young man to lose a life. What gives me comfort is to think that people will learn from all the good that Philip has done in his life. And, they realize that Philip is probably the first person who would have said, " Hey dude, let's put that drink down. There's a lot more to life than that." I wish he was here to share those lessons.
At some point the human condition needs to be taken into consideration here. Not that everyone here doesn't have the right to say anything they please about the situation. Not that those people (who choose to speak out on a topic that could very well be inconsequential to the remainder of their lives) are right in what they're saying, but that they have a right to say it. Disclaimer over it needs to be said that their was a time when it was enough to lose a loved one…a tragedy was a tragedy in all regards, and a life lost is just that. At some point people in this country have gotten so wrapped up in their own freedoms that they feel if they don't exercise them regularly they are going to somehow disappear. Yes, you have a right to say it, we get it. But just because you've said it doesn't make you right. I've lived in Lancaster for a while now, very close to the campus, and though I did not know Phillip, I've dedicated thoughts and prayers to his family and at least a moment of silence for him. It's a matter of respect, it's a matter of decency, for god's sake it's a matter of good taste. At some point the karmic circle will come around, I have no doubt of that. Phillip it seems had made his peace with karma…consider this fact before you belittle his memory with accusations unproven about his lapses in character or judgement. To begrudge the grieving with the task of defending his honour posthumously is unfair, and furthermore unnecessary. No one will argue that the death of a loved one (especially when dying young) is the most stressful thing a person will face in their lifespan. Yet people feel the need to make it harder on them, to make them question the loved one's morality, their character, their judgement. If you cannot allow this family, this community, the time and space it needs to recover from this loss, then perhaps its your morality, your character, and your judgement that should be questioned…not his.
to enough
touche
you nailed it on the head - let's focus on the good things about Philip, and believe me, there were and always will be a lot of them!!!
Love you and miss you Phil
Close your eyes, take a breath and say a prayer for Phillip's soul and for his devastated family and friends. He sounds like a remarkable young man who will be missed by many people who loved him and whom he loved in return and by others whose lives he touched.