Radnor High Grad Dies at 18

Auguste Chardonnet, 18, of Bryn Mawr, died suddenly on August 14, 2013, while in Panama visiting friends.  He was born on November 10, 1994, to Tina Chen Chardonnet and Laurent Chardonnet in Santa Cruz, California.  In 2004, the family relocated to Bryn Mawr. 

He graduated from Radnor High School in 2012, where he was a member of the crew team and percussion in the Radnor Band.  Auguste accepted a place at Penn State University, but deferred his freshman year, and with an adventurous spirit, enjoyed a fascinating gap year abroad last year attending Beijing Language and Culture University in Beijing, China, studying Chinese, traveling and making many good friends. 

Auguste loved books, and read avidly from a young age, enjoying subjects ranging from sci-fi to philosophy. With strong opinions, he thoroughly appreciated a good debate, and rarely left a discussion without winning his point. 

He loved music, and was always able to source the latest music from around the world.

Auguste was an accomplished skier, and skiing was a huge part of the family's life. Their yearly trips to Vermont, Colorado and beyond gave the family wonderful shared moments together.

Auguste attended sailing camp, and later spent a part of one summer sailing in Greece, enjoying the opportunity which he always valued, that of making new friends everywhere in the world.

 Along with his best friends, Auguste loved superheroes, and many of their shared jokes and activities revolved around this quirky passion. 

Above all, Auguste loved making people laugh. His wit was dry and sharp, his amusing stories always accompanied by great physical comedy as well. 

His friends knew him to be the best kind of friend:  never mean, and always completely loyal — he was an unwavering champion of his close circle.  

Auguste's charismatic personality filled a room; life was never dull if Auguste was around. His family and friends will miss him dearly, and will always remember and cherish his unique and fun spirit.

He is survived by his loving parents, Tina Chen Chardonnet and Laurent Chardonnet, and his younger sister Annabelle. His grandparents include: Richard Chen of San Jose Ca., Ching Hua Chen of Taipei, Taiwan, Michele and Andre Ciossa of Nice, France, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins around the world.

Donations in Auguste's name may be made to: www.tngcentre.org (Lama Norbu Repa, at this foundation, was close to Auguste and along with His Eminence Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche, a reincarnated Lama, did a special powa for Auguste, which is the transference of consciousness after his passing.)