DOUGLAS JOHN KANTOR

1995-2021

“It’s All About the Experience.”

The Resiliency Rising Scholarship was created in loving memory of Douglas John Kantor, a remarkable young man whose life reflected resilience, responsibility, inclusion, integrity, curiosity, and compassion.

Doug was born on November 30, 1995, in Livingston, New Jersey, and raised in Airmont, New York. After graduating from Suffern High School and Michigan State University, he began a successful career in information technology with Ford Motor Company. While working and continuing his education, Doug demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to his future, earning his master’s degree in business in May 2021 — just three weeks before his death.

Tragically, on June 12, 2021, while visiting Austin, Texas, Doug was an innocent victim of the mass shooting on Sixth Street. After suffering a traumatic gunshot wound, he passed away the following day at Dell Seton Medical Center. He was only 25 years old, with so much of the future he had worked for still ahead of him.

Doug is survived by his mother, Julia Kantor; father, Bob Kantor; brother, Nick Kantor; and stepfather, Joe Budnick; and the many family members, friends, and colleagues whose lives he touched.

While the circumstances of Doug’s death are part of his story, they do not define him. His life does.

Doug believed that every person had value and purpose. He had a natural ability to make people feel welcomed, accepted, heard, and comfortable. He was trustworthy, even-tempered, analytical, and someone others could speak openly with and let their guard down. He was inclusive by nature and never wanted anyone to feel alone.

Doug had a tremendous thirst for knowledge. He was fascinated by other cultures, family dynamics, and what shaped people and their experiences. Doug also had a clear vision of his future. He worked tirelessly toward his master's degree, worked two jobs while attending college, and remained devoted to his family, friends, and fiancée. He understood the importance of responsibility, commitment, and he balanced that with appreciation and laughter. Passionate about cooking, sports, and exploring new experiences, he brought energy and joy to those around him. His focus and determination extended beyond his career, as he actively planned for the future and was just months away from purchasing a second home as an investment property.

Doug also understood that life was meant to be lived. His favorite phrase was “It’s all about the experience.” He embraced life, sought out new experiences and had the ability to make ordinary moments memorable with the people around him. He was well aware that some of life's greatest

treasures aren't things we achieve or possess, but the experiences we share with the people we love.

He was a lot of fun to be around, and he brought laughter and joy wherever he went.

This scholarship honors not only what Doug accomplished, but who he was—a young man who worked hard, cared deeply, welcomed others, pursued knowledge, and believed in experiencing life to the fullest.

Through the Resiliency Rising Scholarship, we hope to support students who share these qualities and encourage them to pursue their dreams, embrace life's experiences, make a difference in the lives of others, and leave their own meaningful legacy.

Douglas John Kantor will never be forgotten. Through this scholarship, the qualities that defined his life can continue to inspire others.

“It’s All About the Experience.”