One was an outgoing artist, a man who made his entrances and exits with flamboyance and flair. The other was the pensive genius, a devoted teacher.

Friends said that together, the two were the perfect complements as they remembered Jason Decker (COL’ 99) and Charlie Bernstein (COL ’00) two weeks after a car accident claimed their lives near a small Texas town.

“I think of the two of them as on life’s adventures together because they shared an intensity about life experiences,” said former university chaplain Brendan Hurley, S.J., a close friend to both Decker and Bernstein.

“They were matched very well. Charlie loved to talk and express himself out loud whereas Jason was extremely perceptive and a very good listener,” Hurley said.

Others remembered their friendship in a similar way.

“They were very different, and that was the amazing thing about their relationship,” Jeff Fennelly (COL ’99) said. “You wouldn’t expect them to travel in the same circle but they were able to very well.”

While students at Georgetown, the two heavily committed themselves to different activities. As a freshman lacrosse recruit, Decker continuously worked hard to attain as much playing time as possible, his coach said.

“Jason epitomizes the kind of character and contribution we admire in the program,” head men’s lacrosse coach David Urick said. “Behind the scenes, he went above and beyond what we expected from him. Unfortunately, he was not always given the credit he deserved for that.”

In Decker’s memory, Urick said he is working to attach his name to the current “Unsung Hero Award,” given annually to the lacrosse player who contributes a great deal to the team but is not always properly recognized.

“The award will help keep his memory alive and will also give more meaning to the award we hand out now,” Urick said. “He’s the type of guy we can all learn a lot from and never want to forget.”

Bernstein, however, dedicated his time to his love of theater. A member of Mask & Bauble and the Nomadic Theatre, he starred in last year’s production of “The Physicists” as Herbert George Beutler.

“He was so outgoing and excited about everything he did, especially his plays . he always stole the show,” former girlfriend Liz Fountain (COL ’02) said. “I can’t explain how much he loved everything about living.”

Bernstein’s motivation and ambition were admired by those who knew him.

“He never waited,” Fennelly said. “Charlie never missed an opportunity to live life, no matter what the situation was.”

Following graduation, Bernstein pursued his dream of becoming a playwright in New York City and was putting together a portfolio of his writings, Hurley said. At the time of the accident, he was visiting Decker in Texas where he was teaching fifth- and sixth-grade special education reading at Graham Intermediate School and Taylor Elementary School as a part of the Americorps Teach for America program.

“He was one of the brightest guys I’ve ever taught,” said Scott Pilarz, S.J., who taught Decker in three classes at Georgetown. “He was incredible, kind of quiet, but when he spoke you knew he was right on. I always said he knew something that the rest of us didn’t.”

Both Pilarz and Hurley said they admired his genuine friendliness.

“Jason was always looking for new circumstances and the opportunity to meet new people,” Hurley said. “He moved in a lot of circles of friends.”

As a volunteer special education teacher in the Zapata school district, Decker was admired by his colleagues and students.

“When I visited him last summer in Texas, a student of his approached him in the mall and I could just see the warmth and affection he had for Jason,” Hurley recalled. “Jason was extremely attentive, and people immediately felt that about him.”

Campus Ministry is currently planning a memorial service for Decker and Bernstein.