Wiley Thomas Birkhofer
July 7, 1987 - September 30, 2014

Wiley was born on July 7th, 1987 at Stanford Hospital in California.  He was the first child of Wendell and Celeste Birkhofer and had a younger sister, Elise.  He grew up in Menlo Park, CA, where he attended Oak Knoll and Menlo Schools.  Wiley flourished in academics and sports, especially basketball, soccer and lacrosse.  He also became an avid skier, surfer and seeker of adventure.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Stanford University in 2009, Wiley continued to pursue his love of writing.  He completed his Masters of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing & Poetry at New York University in May of 2014, and loved teaching undergraduate courses there in writing and poetry.  In August 2014 he began teaching English composition at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, and he was additionally preparing to teach creative arts to underserved children through the Community Word Project in the NYC School System. His career also included working at a start up company, Thuuz, as well as teaching at the Boys & Girls Club and Sacred Hearts School in Maui. 

Wiley was a vibrant, loving young man.  He had been bravely battling a part of his mind that caused immense inner anguish for many years, and sadly died by suicide on September 30th, 2014, at the age of 27.  He made a lasting impression on many people, and he deeply loved his family and countless friends.  They will forever remember his uninhibited spirit, creativity, intellectual curiosity, sense of humor, sensitivity and compassion.