The son of former University interim chancellor and vice president, Robert Easter, has died in a snowboarding accident.

Aaron Easter died Tuesday after being found unconscious at the Steamboat Ski Resort on Monday. Loryn Kasten, spokeswoman for the resort, said Easter was found around 11:30 a.m. by other skiers. The individuals performed CPR until ski patrol arrived at the scene. He was transported to Yampa Valley Medical Center, from which he was then flown to a Denver hospital.

Kasten also said Easter was snowboarding alone and was found in a snow depression that was marked as hazardous. A snow depression occurs when snow gathers on top of a wetland area.

According to a press release from Ray Birch, Routt County Sheriff’s Office undersheriff, Easter was found slightly off a trail in the “Sunshine Bowl” area of the resort.

The accident is still being investigated by the Routt County Sheriff’s Office, and there are no further details at this time.
Aaron’s father Robert Easter is currently acting as interim vice chancellor for research, but has also worked closely with the College of ACES, as a professor and former dean. He was the interim chancellor from 2009 until the middle of last semester.

“The department and the University of Illinois is a very small community when you get down to it,” said Neal Merchen, professor and department head of animal sciences. “Cheryl and Bob Easter and their family are well known within that community and very much respected. There is a lot of thought and condolence that is extended in their direction at this time.”