Brad Gross in action with a student and his colleague, Lydia, sharing their love of science

Celebrating Brad Gross

The news of Brad Gross’s untimely death has come as a huge shock to all those who knew him. HOT’s Zelly Restorick reports.

I interviewed Brad a few years ago for Hastings Online Times, drawn to his larger than life personality, huge enthusiasm and high energy levels. I’d seen him appear with The Lucky Ones, smiling, laughing, joking, drumming – one of those people you know is an impactful character.

I spoke to him about Blast Science (Brad and Lydia’s Awesome Science Team) and his incredible desire to share his love of science with young people and anyone he could inspire to take an interest in this subject.

Brad performing one of his OTT scientific experiments

I remember him saying how he and his BLAST colleague, Lydia Samuel, LOVED coming up with imaginative ideas for sharing scientific knowledge, exploration and experience. They were the absolute antithesis of teachers demanding that their students sit still, take notes from the blackboard and be obediently quiet. Fake blood, gore and ooze were favourite materials much loved and enjoyed by BLAST Science’s students, who were encouraged to be directly involved in experiments, meaning this knowledge would, Brad hoped, be retained forever.

Hearing of Brad’s death was almost beyond belief. How could someone with so much love for life, so much energy and enthusiasm, so filled with initiatives and ideas die so young? I know this is an illogical question; there are no rules or life laws determining someone’s length of time on this planet. But still… Brad? Dead? Almost impossible to comprehend.

My heart-felt and sincere good wishes go out to his wife, Khadija, his family and friends and to all those who knew him, worked with him, enjoyed his music and love of science. I know that he will live on in the minds and hearts of all those with whom he connected.

As Brad would say: “Keep it jazzy, baby!”

If you knew Brad and would like to write something about him here, please add your words in Comments for this article.

Previous HOT articles about Brad Gross: Blast Science and Interview with Bradford Gross.

Also in: Hastings People