Nick competing in the 1600m race during an indoor track meet (2011)

The Mountain’s former staff writer Kevin Mertz and editors Steven Mertz and Paige Vane (MTH Class of 2011) contributed the following in memory of their friend and colleague, former staff writer Nick Mburu (MTH Class of 2011), who passed away on Jan. 7, 2018.

Two weeks ago, the Viking Alumni community lost a dear friend, Nick Mburu, from the class of 2011. During his years at Mt. Hebron, Nick was a cross country and track runner, participated in school plays and wrote for the Mountain. But what he will be remembered for is his joyful smile and genuine personality.

Nick ran cross country, indoor track and outdoor track from his sophomore to senior year. His accomplishments included running a 17:02 5k and running a 4:43 mile. During his junior year, he was a proud member of the 4x800m relay team at the Outdoor Track State Championship Meet. His senior year, he placed 23rd in the Cross Country State Meet.  

Though he was a talented runner, one of the most memorable qualities about Nick was that he was a loyal friend. It would be 38 degrees outside, and Nick would walk from his house in Taylor Village to the Mt. Hebron neighborhoods just to hang out for a bit with his friends. Nick would agree to go on a camping trip within an hours notice and realize once he got there he had not packed a change of clothes.

Nick with friends Kevin Mertz and Constantine Matsakis

A funny memory we have of Nick was when all of us took a trip to the Eastern Shore. Like any group of friends excited for four months of summertime freedom, we weren’t quite ready to call it a night, and the laughter and banter continued through the early hours of the morning. Around 2 A.M., the parents had heard enough and presumed the noise was coming from the bedroom whose light was still on. Prepared to march in and demand silence one final time, there was Nick Mburu quietly reading the Bible to himself.

Nick taking pictures before his senior prom with Constantine Matsakis and Victor Atadakwa

Nick hanging out after track practice with Ryan Wilkinson

Anyone who was close to Nick knew how much he loved cars. He would go to car shows with his friends and would have to sit in just about every car, one time spending almost eight hours at a car show. Nick worked as a car salesmen for some time and would do extensive research — creating spreadsheet after spreadsheet of facts — for any friends who expressed interest in buying a car.

Nick graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and Finance from UMBC. At UMBC, Nick became involved with Campus Crusade (Cru for short).

Nick worked at TEKsystems as a project analyst. He leaves behind his parents, Joyce and Joseph Mburu, and his younger sister, Naomi Mburu. He will be greatly missed by all of us — his family, his high school friends and teachers, the friends he made at UMBC, his community at Harvest Bible Chapel, and his co-workers. We hold tight to our fun memories of Nick, his undying loyalty, his perennial optimism, and of course, that infectious smile.