DeKALB | The NIU Student Association, student body and the Christophe family are mourning the loss of a member and friend since his untimely death Tuesday.

Dan Christophe Jr., a 21-year-old junior accountancy major, died Tuesday when his motorcycle collided with a car driven by Caitlin Wood.

Christophe was in his second term as an SA senator serving on the SA Finance Committee. Last summer, Christophe interned at PricewaterhouseCoopers, one of the Big Four accounting firms.

“He had his 21st birthday two weeks ago. He didn’t want to have any regrets, and would always tell me ‘Don’t have regrets,'” said Crystal Christophe, Dan’s sister, a graduate student at the University of Wisconsin.

Christophe’s sister said Dan was looking forward to again interning at PriceWaterhouseCoopers, as well as traveling this summer. Christophe has worked at the NIU financial aid office since September 2005 as a loan processor, making sure students received their financial aid. Outside of school, Christophe was an avid golfer and disc golfer. In high school, Christophe played the clarinet as a member of the Lake Park marching band.

The loss was a shock to many on the DeKalb campus.

“Even though our ideology differed at times, at the end of the day, he was someone I respected, and it’s a tragedy to lose him,” said Josh Alvarado, a fellow SA senator.

Fellow senator Brett Kryska also regretted the loss. “I wish I could have known him better. Everyone always had good things to say about him.”

SA president Adam Novotney remembered Christophe’s constant light-hearted mood, and said “[He] had a full life; this is just tragic.”

Christophe was roommate to Ricky Garcia, fellow senator, CAB vice president of finance and SA Treasurer-elect.

Dan Leonard, SA director of Greek Affairs, was a fellow close friend to Christophe. “He was my neighbor. We had a lot of classes together. [Dan and I] went through UBUS 310 together, we were in senate. I woke up [Tuesday] morning not knowing I’d have lost a friend before going to sleep.”

Leonard also said Christophe was a smart, hard worker and always helpful.

Manette Cook, Christophe’s supervisor at the NIU Financial Aid office said Wednesday was a solemn day in the office. “He is going to be missed. [Dan] was like a family member here,” Cook said.

A candlelight vigil was held at the Engineering Building Wednesday night in his honor.

The wake for Christophe will be held Friday from 3-9 p.m. at the Oaks Funeral Home, 1201 E. Irving Park Road, Itasca, Ill.

His funeral will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Peter’s Church, 500 N. Cherry St, Itasca, Ill.

Crystal Christophe said, “Our family appreciates everything the student body has done for us during this time.”

Any donations may be sent to the St. Peters church in Dan Christophe Jr.’s name.