Family, friends honor Sacramento 13-year-old who died on Scouting expedition

The Boy Scout troop stood at the memorial service dressed in uniform – green khaki shorts, light tan button-ups and red scarves that hung around their necks with the number “380” printed on boldly – saluting their Scouting brother as his casket was wheeled into the church.

The family walked behind the casket overflowing with red and white roses as they warmly embraced each other. The sound of sniffles and falling tears filled the room.

About 800 people were present to honor the life of 13-year-old Alden Ray Brock.

Alden died in a June 27 flash flood while camping near the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico on a Boy Scout expedition. He was laid to rest Wednesday at Sierra Hills Memorial Park following a memorial service at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the College/Glen neighborhood of Sacramento.

Troop 380 presented a posting of colors in the chapel that was followed by an opening hymn of “America the Beautiful.” Speeches followed, and Scouts chanted Boy Scouts of America Vespers that included lines such as “Mom and Dad, this you should know, deep in my heart I love you so.”

Alan L. Fisher, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, gave the eulogy and described Alden as being close to his parents and brother. Fisher quoted one of the sayings Alden was known for, “I love pie,” as the crowd chuckled.

“He always had this smile on his face and a can-do personality,” said Nathan Taylor, a close friend of Alden. “This is one of the few people I have met in my life that could make a sad day happy.”

Alden was known for his smile, curly hair and sense of adventure. He was dedicated to the Boy Scouts and was an “adrenaline addict,” said Cortney Roberts, Alden’s cousin.

“In his 13 years, he lived a more daring life than most adults I know,” Roberts said.

Dave Ishikawa, Alden’s Troop 380 Scoutmaster, said Alden was determined to become an Eagle Scout, the highest rank in Boy Scouts.

“He certainly had big dreams and always wanted to do the most,” Ishikawa said.

To honor Alden, Ishikawa said the troop made the difficult decision to continue their trek because they knew that’s what he would have wanted them to do.

Throughout the service, friends and family smiled while they remembered a boy they were grateful to have known.

“I will never meet someone like him (again),” friend AJ Raffaelli said. “We shouldn’t frown because he is gone, but we should smile because he was here.”

This story was originally published July 8, 2015 at 5:18 PM with the headline "Family, friends honor Sacramento 13-year-old who died on Scouting expedition."