A yellow and blue rubber bracelet is adorned with a white trout and a cross on an otherwise plain wrist. The words “Live Like Noah” sprawled across the bracelet speak volumes.
The message behind the phrase is one of kindness, one that always makes someone feel listened to. This message is one that encourages people to lead their lives selflessly, helping others. This message was inspired by University of Kentucky kinesiology major, Noah Tinch.
Rubber bracelets were always a favorite of Noah’s, according to his father, Brett Tinch, who said Noah wrote his college admission essay about the significance behind his favorite ones.
Now, these rubber bracelets serve as a reminder to “Live Like Noah,” something Brett described as putting those around him first, making them feel important and seen.
On June 12, 2025, Noah passed away after an accident while fly fishing during a visit to Colorado to help his grandparents and show his mom how to fly fish.
Fly fishing has been a part of Noah’s family for generations, with his father, grandfather, and Brett’s brother-in-law also taking part in the activity.
A fly fisher since the age of five, Noah even learned how to tie his own flies as a child, according to Brett.
After Noah’s passing, Brett said he received emails from countless friends of Noah reminiscing about when he encouraged them, was there for them and helped them.
With every email that was sent, Noah’s impression on those around him became all the more apparent.
From encouraging people to work toward good grades to rushing the fraternity he was a part of, Brett said many of the emails he received were from people reminiscing on times Noah helped them, saying “that’s been a common sentiment that we’ve gotten from people.”
Despite being a part of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity at UK for less than a year before passing, Brett said Noah was particularly passionate about the organization and “loved everything about being in Beta.”
Noah had strong relationships with his fraternity brothers, as Brett said he shared his love for outdoor activities with them.
“He loved showing his fraternity brothers from out-of-town places to fish and taking them to Red River Gorge,” Brett said. “I’ve had other parents reach out to me and say that my son encouraged their son to do outdoor activities, and it was something new for them, but it’s been great.”
Will Shrensker, Noah’s longtime best friend and freshman-year roommate, said Noah stuck out to Beta Theta Pi members when he rushed the fraternity during the 2024 fall semester.
“Some guys in his fraternity told me that during their pledging, he was a guy that they could rely on for help and for advice,” Shrensker said. “They said he was their number one guy who they would want to talk to potential new members or people interested in joining the fraternity.”
However, Noah’s impact stretched far beyond Beta Theta Pi, with his kindness extending to his friendships, as Shrensker said Noah was like family and could always rely on him as a trusted friend.
Reminiscing about moments where Noah’s selflessness shone true, Shrensker shared how Noah helped him after he had torn his ACL and couldn’t put pressure on his leg.
“He had to help me in and out of the shower. Literally, with everything I did in the dorm and with school through finals,” Shrensker said. “He would give me rides and sacrifice time out of his day just to help me.”
Being there for one another was a two-way street in their friendship, as Shrensker said they often held each other accountable when it came to achieving their goals.
“We both finished with all A’s and B’s. We made sure we were still on the track to be successful while still having fun,” Shrensker said. “We had to make some compromises and some sacrifices for each other, and the dorm rooms and how we live. But yeah, we had a great time.”
Alongside their friendship came many memorable moments, as well as plans for the future.
“Sophomore and junior year of high school, my family went to the beach during the summer, and we brought Noah with us,” Shrensker said. “Because of the memories we had and times we had down there, we wanted to buy a beach house together and be able to bring our families.”
Shrensker said, despite Noah’s passing, he will forever be not only his best friend, but also a part of his family.
“He helped shape who I am today, and kind of influenced the person I was and who I became,” Shrensker said. “It was a blessing to have him by my side through it all.”
In honor of Noah, Shrensker and his younger brother, Lawson, created the “Live Like Noah” bracelets to remember the impact Noah had on them and everyone he came across.
“We made the bracelets to remind everyone about Noah, who he was and what he stood for,” Shrensker said. “We were hoping people would wear them and remind themselves to live like Noah did.”
At his celebration of life ceremony, Noah’s impact on people stuck out, and was a shared point for many at the service, according to Shrensker.
“We all spoke about Noah and the way he changed our lives, and it was like a tribute to him,” Shrensker said. “Everyone was expressing how grateful they were to have him.”
Calling Noah’s ceremony a “celebration of life” held significance in itself, according to Brett, who said the event served as a place for all those who cared about and loved Noah to celebrate the effect he had on them.
“We’re not having a funeral for him, we are doing a celebration of life,” Brett said. “We just wanted to get everyone together in a place where they could give their condolences and pay their respects.”
With over 1000 guests and over 600 RSVPs before the ceremony, Noah’s celebration of life served as a beacon of his impact, shining bright with every person in attendance.
“It feels like I raised a young man that became a good man,” Brett said. “Through his kindness, he touched a lot of people.”