The CrossFit community in Texas is reeling from the tragic loss of Melissa and Rob Kamin, who died during the catastrophic flood in the Texas Hill Country on the Fourth of July.
Melissa, a dedicated athlete and beloved member of CrossFit Quest, had planned to compete in two upcoming events alongside her friend Christy Smejkal.
After performing well together in a qualifier, Smejkal was looking forward to partnering with Melissa again.
However, in the wake of their untimely deaths, Smejkal expressed deep sorrow at the thought of competing without her friend.
“It’s so hard to think that I can’t do those with her anymore,” Smejkal said at a Wednesday night vigil honoring the couple.
“I don’t want to do it without her.”
The vigil held at CrossFit Quest in Humble saw approximately 100 mourners come together to remember the Kamins, who were active members of the gym located northeast of Houston.
The poignancy of their loss resonated throughout the gathering, reflecting a shared grief experienced by friends, family, and co-workers.
This flood, which has claimed the lives of well over 100 people, including many children from the Houston area, has left a profound impact on the community.
As of Friday, the number of confirmed deaths had risen, with many still reported missing.
The Kamins were camping at the HTR TX Hill Country Campground near the Guadalupe River when the water level surged due to heavy rainfall.
Moments before the tragedy struck, Melissa had shared her excitement on Facebook, posting, “River bound !!! have a safe and happy fourth everyone!!!” along with a photo of their RV.
After being reported missing on Friday evening, Rob was found deceased over the weekend, while Melissa was discovered later that week.
The planned vigil transitioned from a gathering of hope to one of remembrance, celebrating the lives of two individuals who touched many.
Sam Herrera, co-owner of CrossFit Quest, shared heartfelt memories of Melissa, describing her as a determined athlete with an unwavering spirit.
“She was strong, as much as she could be. I’m pretty sure she grabbed onto something, held on tight, and something went through her mind: ‘I do CrossFit, I got this, right?’ But God had other plans,” Herrera recalled.
The vigil featured prayers led by Pastor Coleman Philley from the Northeast Houston Baptist Church and Daniel Williams from the Woodlands Church Atascocita.
As candles flickered in the dim light, mourners joined together, listening to touching songs such as “Jealous of the Angels” and “Amazing Grace.”
Melissa had been a passionate CrossFit member for over seven years, inspiring those around her.
While her husband, Rob, joined her in starting CrossFit, he had supported Melissa’s athletic pursuits and social events.
Patrick Davis, another co-owner of the gym and Melissa’s main coach, recalled their playful banter, noting that she often referred to him as her second-favorite coach, regardless of who the first might have been.
Tricia Novotny, also a classmate of Melissa for seven years, shared fond memories of how much fun Melissa brought to the gym, often counting her reps while chatting with others.
“It’s OK to have fun, and she brought that to our gym,” Novotny stated.
In her professional life, Melissa worked as a physical therapist assistant at Deerbrook Skilled Nursing, where she brought the same positive energy to her patients and coworkers.
Colleague Robin Gresham recounted a text Melissa once sent her, calling her ‘ladybug,’ highlighting how she had a unique ability to make people feel special.
Melissa was also a Jeep enthusiast, lovingly referring to her blue Jeep as ‘Southern Sass.’
Elainey Husted, the founder of Diva Jeepers, mentioned how Melissa enjoyed placing rubber ducks on Jeeps, a tradition that would continue in her memory.
Lilia and Jesus Chavez Jr., fellow CrossFit classmates, shared memories of the couple’s hospitality, fondly remembering Rob’s enthusiasm for grilling at gatherings.
“If there was a grill, he was going to be right there helping out,” Lilia reminisced, while Jesus added, “That’s the memory that I want to have of them — of their hospitality and inclusiveness to everybody.”
In response to this tremendous loss, the CrossFit gym plans to establish a memorial dedicated to Melissa, creating a special spot on the wall to honor her legacy.
“She’ll never be forgotten,” Herrera affirmed, as the community continues to grapple with the emotional aftermath of this tragic event.
image source from：houstonpublicmedia
