Family and friends gathered yesterday in Pasquerilla Spiritual Center to celebrate the life of Adam Hampton, a junior and member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity, 240 N. Burrowes Rd., who was killed in a car accident over winter break.

The crowd of about 200 people remembered Hampton with both laughter and tears through the speeches and musical presentations from his friends.

Robert Cameron, Hampton's uncle, spoke at the memorial service as a family representative.

Cameron, a Penn State alumnus, recalled his excitement when Hampton decided to attend the same university.

He urged those in attendance to remember that Hampton will "always be a part of us. The best we can do is to always look back at the time with Adam and use it as a springboard to do incredible things."

Cameron also said he had a hard time speaking at Penn State because he had convinced himself that Hampton was on campus.

"I found comfort in thinking that Adam was here," Cameron said. "But now I realize how important it is to let his memory live on."

Julie Putterman, Hampton's girlfriend of almost two years, told the crowd of her love for Hampton.

"We just fit together," she said.

Those who gathered looked at pictures of the couple at the entrance to the room. Putterman made a collage with the heading "A Love Story" above pictures of her and Hampton.

"He was and is my angel," Putterman said. "I miss him terribly every day."

Monica Constantina, Hampton's friend, sang "So Far Away" by Carole King, while his best friend, Phil Donegan, played the piano.

"Adam always made me sing when I was with him," Constantina said.

Donegan then spoke of his best friend and roommate.

Donegan said Hampton never said goodbye, but used the phrase, "Good deal," instead. He said he would miss everything about Hampton.

"I'll miss the 'good deals' that I got 5,000 times a day, late night karaoke, listening to '80s music with him, his annoying whistle and the way he always slept on the couch instead of his bedroom," he said.

A scholarship will be offered to students at Hampton's high school in Danville. Cameron said the scholarship will be awarded to students who display Hampton's characteristics, including his love of art and sports and his academic success.