Kayaker who died in NC lake was Ph.D. student at Clemson University, school says
The 25-year-old man who died while kayaking in North Carolina’s Lake Waccamaw was a well known Ph.D. student at Clemson University in upstate South Carolina, the university says.
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Erick Ross went missing in the lake on Labor Day and his body was recovered Tuesday morning, according to the N.C. Department of Natural & Cultural Resources.
“He was enrolled as a Ph.D. student in mathematical sciences, the same program he earned his master’s degree in last December,” Clemson University said in a statement released to students. “The Greenville, South Carolina, native was a graduate teaching assistant as well.”
His expertise was in analytic number theory involving “very explicit computations of various objects relating to modular forms,” according to a biography page.
A search for Ross was launched around 4:45 p.m. Monday after someone found an abandoned kayak near one of Lake Waccamaw’s boat ramps, according to a news release from the Town of Lake Waccamaw. “His cell phone and other personal belongings were found inside the kayak,” town officials said.
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Ross had been kayaking “for several days” with his brother, and was last seen around 4 p.m. Monday at a waterfront convenience store, WWAY reported. His empty kayak was then spotted about 300 yards from shore, the station said.
An official cause of death has not been released.
“The Clemson Family is heartbroken by the loss of Erick,” Graduate School Dean John Lopes said in the university’s news release. “We hope his family, friends and loved ones find solace in the cherished memories of time they spent with Erick. He will always be remembered.”
Lake Waccamaw is about a 125-mile drive south from downtown Raleigh.
The lake covers about 9,000 acres and is about 11 feet at its deepest, Our State magazine reports.
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