Cody Steven Oser

Peace Corps Volunteer Cody Steven Oser, 24, of Broomfield, Colorado passed away serving his country in the Cormarca Ngäbe Bugle region of Panama on April 8, 2017.

Cody was a loving, intelligent, benevolent and passionate old soul. He created bonds and left his mark with every interaction and developed long lasting relationships with all he encountered. He loved his family, hanging with his friends and making the world a better place. He wanted to "change the world". In his free time, he loved exploring new topics, talking politics, reading, drawing, running, martial arts, hiking, camping and traveling. He was excited about learning languages and had studied French and Swahili, he was fluent in Spanish and Ngäbere. His goal in life was to be the Most Interesting Man in the World and have his own Wikipedia page.

Cody had such great enthusiasm in everything he did. "Cody's enthusiasm for helping others and knack for problem solving were remarkable and are a few of the many reasons he was so well-liked among fellow volunteers and in his community," Acting Director Crowley said. "His impressive engineering skills made him stand out as a volunteer because he dedicated himself to working with communities around the world to find solutions to their technological needs." His passing is a profound loss for his family, friends and the Peace Corps community as we mourn this loss.

Cody was a bright aspiring civil engineer and was excited to use his skills to find unconventional ways to bring technology to communities around the world. Before starting his Peace Corps service, Cody spent time in Kenya and El Salvador, working on engineering projects to help communities build potable water structures and solar-powered irrigation systems. When he applied to Peace Corps, Cody expressed a desire to help communities navigate their engineering challenges and planned to do so with an open mind. "I know that for most rural communities, the challenges of obtaining proper materials, tools and financing are common but that there is never a shortage of clever solutions when you collaborate with the people in your host community," he said in his aspiration statement. Peace Corps staff were impressed early on that Cody's passion for engineering was equal only to his enthusiasm for service and helping others. Cody was very enthusiastic about his future projects with the community of Cerro Gavilan focused on latrine construction and formation and legalization of the water committee.

Cody graduated from Colorado State University with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and received minors in Business Administration and International Development in 2015. Cody relished in using his talents to help others and served as an Engineering Intern for SunCulture Solar Agriculture in Kenya and as a Project Leader for Engineers Without Borders in El Salvador and Pine Ridge, South Dakota before leaving for service.

He is survived by his parents, Steven and Lynnette Oser, his sister and brother-in-law Abbe and Jamie Gilroy (Gabrielle, Annabelle Joshua), his brother and sister-in-law Gabriel and Joanna Oser (Artemis, Valentine, Vivienne) and his puppy Kira. He is also survived by his maternal grandmother, Mavis Fugere and preceded in death maternal grandfather Wilfred "Frenchy" Fugere and paternal grandparents, Leo and Betty Oser. Cody is also survived by his Godparents Charlie and Julie Fugere and Steven and Carla Harbert. He leaves behind many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Cody's family is creating the Cody Steven Oser Legacy Scholarship for engineering students at Colorado State University. Donations in his name can be mailed to the Broomfield Community Foundation, PO Box 2040, Broomfield, CO 80038. Online contribution will be arranged in the near future.