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Branson McNeel Bean July 12, 2005 - July 26, 2026
Victoria Claire Burkett October 9, 2002 - September 6, 2026
Nicholas Stephen Heinrich-Barna April 4, 2000 - June 26, 2026
Alan Delynn Moore lll October 13, 1989 - July 27, 2026
Mastura Safayet September 12, 1993 - July 17, 2026
Graham Andrew Wetherell September 3, 2007 - July 16, 2026
Silver Taps Special Edition
SILVER TAPS
A2
10.05.2026
Branson Bean July 12, 2005 – July 26, 2026
An Aggie who always cared for his family and friends Branson Bean, an agricultural leadership sophomore, grew up not knowing what it meant to be anything but an Aggie. Following many family members’ footsteps, including those of his mother, Gena McNeely Bean ‘93 and sisters, Brooklyn Bean ‘24 and Savannah Bean ‘26, Branson knew he was destined to be an Aggie. Having attended nearly every home Texas A&M football game growing up, Saturdays in the fall fostered some of his most treasured memories. While football may have been the excuse to get together in the form of tailgating and cheering on the Aggies, it was truly the people who made the experience memorable: enjoying his time laughing with family and being together at one place and time. To Branson, A&M football wasn’t just about the game — it was about the traditions he looked forward to and ones that will remain with his family for a lifetime. Branson was a natural-born athlete, enjoying sports from football and basketball to wrestling and UFC-style fighting. Notably, he holds the record at Waller High School
for the longest discus throw by a freshman. The ability to test his endurance extended beyond high school sports, recently earning his commercial diving certificate. He was also described as a person who wanted to see the world, traveling from Tabletop Mountain in Africa to Machu Picchu in Peru. Branson loved a challenging adventure. His father, Kelly Bean, hopes others remember Branson as smart, funny and tall, with a personality described as magnetic. While his height was a physical descriptor, it was also how Branson lived his life: always standing out and finding making friends at A&M fairly easy. During his freshman year of college, Branson was elected to the freshman branch of Class Councils to serve as part of the Freshman Council, better known as “Fish Co.” This honor, which required a rigorous application and interview process, would be something Branson would be a part of all four years at A&M. However, his family never doubted he would be perfectly suited for a position like this. His family
described the successful process as a reflection of his prominent confidence and leadership that others couldn’t help but notice. Gena always believed in Branson and never doubted the success he was meant to achieve. She described him as a fearless risk taker, who was always the life of the party in whatever room he found himself in. Truly enjoying every moment, Branson brought life to the family, and Gena was especially proud of the relationship he shared with his sisters, describing him as a brother who was protective and one of their biggest supporters. Whether that be from the volleyball stands or when they accomplished academic milestones, Branson was always the first to cheer them on. Gena also described Branson as the type of person to include others, whether that be family, friends or even strangers, to ensure whoever was in his vicinity felt included. His sister, Savannah, described her brother as being larger than life, with the ability to connect strongly with others and make friends with almost anyone at any
given time. Remembering him for his contagious laugh and witty personality, Savannah reminisced that Branson used to sing out loud just because he knew it would make his family laugh. Both of his sisters commonly referred to Branson as “B.” His sister, Brooklyn, described Branson as one of the most important people in her life. She went on to emphasize that he had an empathetic heart that was giving and understanding, notably pointing out his love for even the smallest things, including capybaras and chihuahuas. Brooklyn recalls her favorite memories of Branson being when they were together, from Taco Bell runs and binge-watching shows and movies to days spent on the family boat and even attending Rolling Loud together. Branson was a devoted Christian. His family shared that he often talked about the scripture and studied God’s word. His favorite bible verse was from Proverbs 3:5: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”
Victoria Claire Burkett October 9, 2002 - September 6, 2026
An Aggie enriched with faith who followed all of life’s ‘what ifs’ “Our lives are made up of the ‘what ifs.’ The ‘what ifs’ represent the untaken paths you bypassed as the universe conspired to guide you toward the path meant for you. If we just listen, we will end up exactly where we are meant to be.” Victoria Claire Burkett didn’t believe in coincidences. Written during her time with Mays Business Fellows, Victoria, or Tori to those closest to her, authored a short story called “This I Believe.” The excerpt above is from her piece in which she intricately describes the basis of her life — her faith. “It was so strange how positive she was; I can’t explain it,” Tori’s father Rusty Burkett said. “I think her faith really comforted her. She leaned on it hard. Even when we decided to go to palliative care, she’s 23 we’re not ever gonna go into hospice willingly, until she said she was ready to go see Jesus,” her mother Melissa Burkett added. Tori was diagnosed in April with adrenocortical carcinoma, a rare cancer affecting merely one in a million people. Despite her diagnosis and the aggressiveness of the disease, her parents ensured that she never faltered.
“She never had any good news in this diagnosis,” Rusty said. “ … And she still never collapsed or capitulated her faith or her smile.” Despite the illness, Tori was committed to supporting her family throughout her treatment. “She would be consoling me at bedside even until the very end, telling me, ‘Not to cry, Dad. Don’t worry about it. It’ll be okay,’” Rusty said. But Tori’s life was not defined by her diagnosis. Instead, her light shone through in her treatment, strengthening her faith and compassion for those around her. “I call it a serene peace; I didn’t understand it,” Rusty said. “She maintained that something good was going to come out of that. She said that a lot,” Melissa added. This sentiment was only strengthened in her essay, which her parents read for the first time after her passing. “I find comfort in knowing that everything unfolds in its appointed time, according to a wisdom far beyond my own,” Tori wrote. “Trusting in this plan brings me peace. Even when things seem messy,
I know there’s a method to the madness.” Tori’s life was full of “what ifs” that she willingly chose to follow. Her parents explained that after graduating high school, her first “what if ” was actually never really a question. “She had no choice; she’s always been an Aggie,” Melissa said. With both her parents and her older brother and sister having attended Texas A&M, Tori always knew she was destined to be in Aggieland. She was a proud member of Mays Business Fellows and served as president of Zeta for two years as she finished her bachelor’s degree. Following her graduation, Tori decided she wasn’t ready to leave College Station just yet. Returning for a master’s in human resource development, Tori was described as a perfect mix of her brother, a lawyer, and her sister, a CPA. “She was kind of the glue that held us together, a good mix of her brother and sister,” Melissa said. “ … She was the most rounded of the three. … Tori just had something extra. I always used to call her the chosen one, and they would laugh
about it, the older ones would, because they knew it was true.” As the family’s “chosen one,” Tori possessed many things, namely compassion for others, leadership skills and a gift for bringing people together. “She was just very well-rounded and had more of a commonality with people and her style and just the way she did things,” Rusty said. “It was hard to explain, but it was noticed by everybody in the family.” Tori will be remembered for her light and ability to make everyone around her feel seen. She believed that everything happens for a reason, always making sure to remind others of the same. “By renouncing belief in coincidence, I grasp a deeper understanding of existence,” Tori wrote in her essay before her passing. “In this worldview, every setback becomes a lesson, a stepping stone toward growth. Every challenge I have faced thus far has led me closer to finding my purpose. ‘God has made everything beautiful in its time.’ Ecclesiastes 3:11.”
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Nicholas Stephen Heinrich-Barna April 4, 2000 - June 26, 2026
An Aggie who always helped others “I have never met a person more willing to help others,” his sister Helena Heinrich-Barna said. Nicholas Heinrich-Barna ‘22, known by many as Nick and to his fellow Cadets as HB, was a highly intelligent, motivated and compassionate individual who spent most of his time helping others and being a good friend to everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. His journey to Texas A&M led Nick to pursue two bachelor’s degrees, one in computer engineering and petroleum engineering. He later continued his education at A&M and became a Ph.D. candidate in cybersecurity. For the majority of his time spent on the A&M campus, Nick was a member of the Corps of Cadets serving in Company G-2 “Gladiators.” “I had taken him down for a Night with the Corps,” his father Stephen Heinrich-Barna ‘93 said. “He came out of the experience and said, ‘This is where I am going.’” During his time in the Corps, Nick participated in many of the campus’ sacred traditions and was a part of a community committed to Selfless Service, Leadership
and becoming something greater than oneself. One tradition that was especially important to Nick was being a Ross Volunteer, a unit of Cadets that performs the 21-gun salutes at A&M’s Silver Taps ceremonies and annual Muster ceremony. Beyond his time at A&M, Nick picked up many passions like Formula 1 racing, swimming and photography. He even earned the rank of Eagle Scout in Boy Scouts as a result of his drive to succeed. Nick’s faith was a steady part of his life, but those close to him say he truly grew into it during his years as an Aggie. While navigating the Corps, demanding coursework and the responsibilities he took on for others, his Catholic faith became a source of grounding and guidance. It shaped the way he treated people with kindness and respect. “I can very much say that he was driven by faith,” Stephen said. “And that is something that he developed while at Texas A&M.” He went on to say that long discussions about faith and philosophy deepened his relationship with his roommates and close friends. Nick’s intelligence was immediately ap-
parent to everyone who met him, but those closest to him said it was his curiosity that truly set him apart. Whether he was helping classmates, mentoring younger cadets or diving into a new subject on his own, Nick brought a thoughtful, analytical mind to everything he did. Nick’s academic drive was matched by a clear sense of purpose. As he advanced through his cybersecurity research, he hoped to use his expertise in the service of the country, aiming to work with the Department of War after completing his Ph.D. “He came to the realization that using his academic skills with the Department of War was a better use of his talent and he could do it more successfully and meaningfully,” Stephen said. If Nick’s legacy was to be carefully examined, it becomes apparent that the most important aspect of his life were the many relationships that he developed with his family, friends and the Aggie community. Nick’s parents and family were proud to see so many people, some who they didn’t know, talk about the tangible impacts he had on their lives. One of the closest relationships he had
was with his sister Helena, who is currently a biomedical engineering sophomore and a member of the Corps at A&M. Having been in the Corps before his sister, Nick was a mentor for Helena, helping her navigate the difficulties of her Fish year and even getting to share stories of their experiences with each other. “He would keep stories from me from his Fish year, until I went through it, and then he would tell them to me, and we would laugh a lot together about it, because it was funny,” Helena said “There were a lot of funny stories. He was a very easy person to talk to, and he would make everyone feel included.” Nick will always be remembered for his service-oriented mindset and the kindness he showed to the many people who got to know him. “If I were to describe him in a few words, it would be that he was the epitome of hard work,” Helena said. “I feel like that describes him very well, and then also completely selfless. Because one of the Core Values in the Corps and A&M is Selfless Service, and he lived by that every single day of his life.”
Alan DeLynn Moore III October 13, 1989 - July 27, 2026
An Aggie who cared always for his friends A brother, son, Lego enthusiast and movie lover, Alan DeLynn Moore III leaves behind a legacy of hard work and integrity. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the United States Air Force Academy and his master’s degree from the University of Houston. Alan then turned his sights to Texas A&M in pursuit of a Ph.D. in engineering, while also working full time as an engineer in Houston. Alan was one course away from receiving his Ph.D., according to his obituary. Alan shared close bonds with his brother and his aunt, but was especially close to his mother, Mila Moore, who knew him as Al. “If we didn’t see each other, we at least had a call each day,” Mila said. When Alan wasn’t with his mother or on a call with her, Mila said he could often be found in the comfort of a reclined chair at the movie theater. “He loved going to the movies, and I
guess the weekend before he died, he went to see The Odyssey at the IMAX theatre and loved it,” Mila said. Mila said that his love and passion for film is something people point to when thinking of Alan. “He loved going to the movies with his friends, and he could just quote lines of it all the time,” Mila said. “Once I’ve seen a movie, you know, I’ve forgotten all the lines, but he remembered.” Alan was a man of many passions, always maintaining a love for Legos and Pokémon in his spare moments. “He walked hundreds of miles playing Pokémon Go, and he could visit while he was walking.” Mila said. “… He was [always] on the phone talking to somebody while he was playing the game. … He had most of the Star Wars Lego sets, and they were displayed in his house. He did love Legos since he was little.”
Growing up, Alan was a Boy Scout. Between pitching tents and building fires, Alan made many friends, eventually earning the rank of Eagle Scout. Even two decades later, the bonds never broke, many of his closest friends from Boy Scouts attending Alan’s funeral in Houston. “I was surprised that some of the Boy Scout leaders from, you know, 20 years ago, came with their kiddos, and some drove, like three or four hours away,” Mila said. His mother said that the support was overwhelming, with some of Alan’s friends from the Air Force Academy also attending the funeral, including one all the way from California. Alan’s aunt Beth, who he would visit in the mountains of South Carolina, gave the eulogy at Alan’s funeral. She reminded everyone of how he cared for his friends and his family, namely by giving them gifts.
“Al gave careful consideration to gifts he’d choose for his family and friends,” Beth said in the eulogy. “On occasion he would text me a picture of what he had planned to give some of his friends for different occasions. He was always excited to see their reaction to his gifts.” Beth also told stories of Alan and his brother’s visits to her in South Carolina, and her visits to the family in Houston. “I remember he showed us the underground tunnel system of downtown Houston,” Beth said. “It was another enjoyable adventure exploring something new for us which he knew we liked to do.” Alan will be remembered by his family as someone who loved everyone. His passion for his career and drive to constantly improve strengthen his legacy of hard work and dedication that will continue to move all those closest to him.
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10.05.2026
Mastura Safayet September 12, 1993 - July 17, 2026
An Aggie who cared for her studies and her family Mastura Safayet thrived under the pressure of responsibility. A geography Ph.D. student, Mastura balanced the roles of scholar, mother and wife after moving to the United States from her native Bangladesh to continue her studies. “The way she managed, even during her treatment, I’m not sure how many people can do that,” her husband Yousuf Mahid said. “She was really strong emotionally and physically, and she did an amazing job as a mother and a wife as well.” Yousuf said that he still remembers the coffee shop in Dhaka, Bangladesh, where the couple first met. After graduating from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology’s Department of Urban and Regional Planning, the couple decided to pursue master’s degrees at Arizona State University — a decision Yousuf credited to Mastura’s pragmatism about how furthering her education abroad would improve her career.
“We were so so happy,” Yousuf said. “And we felt so lucky because it was very unlikely, two of us from the same country getting fully funded, the same program, the same university.” Yousuf said that while pursuing her Ph.D. at Texas A&M that Mastura came to thrive independently, away from him and a world away from the rest of her family, while setting an example for her young daughter, all while continuing her research in climate disasters and food security. “She was by herself, and that’s a big deal for her,” Yousuf said. “She learned how to drive, and she learned how to do the groceries, how to do the banking stuff and she did it all by herself. And she was very proud of herself, like she believed herself that she could do it. … I think she also would like to thank College Station for giving her that opportunity to feel her independence, and that is how she wanted to raise her daughter as well.” Yousuf described Mastura as someone
who was always eager to help out a friend, especially by being a friendly ear. “She liked to observe without any judgement,” Yousuf said. “I’m not sure how she did that, but it was an amazing thing to do.” Yousuf said that the couple loved to spend time together whenever they could. “We liked to cuddle whenever we were free, whenever we were hanging around,” Yousuf said. “I know it’s a funny thing to say, but that’s what we used to do. We talked about [how] if there was any Ph.D. in cuddling, we probably would have done an amazing job.” He said that Mastura had a strong personality but was also humble about her own success. “I think people would realize how amazing [of a] scholar she was, dedicated [of a] scholar she was, and what a beautiful person she is,” Yousuf said. “But I think she doesn’t care too much how people might think of her.”
After a heartbreaking cancer diagnosis, Mastura threw herself into the roles of scholar, wife and mother, Yousuf said, where she made it a point to provide moments that her daughter will remember her by. “She wanted to make sure to preserve some of her memories,” Yousuf said. “She developed a photo album for our daughter, taking pictures every week for her first year. … She made that photo book for her daughter so that her daughter can see and learn about her mother.” However, Mastura did not put her life on hold in her final months. Instead, she stayed busy with her studies and spent plenty of time with her family. “She was not spending her time in bed or in the doctor’s office,” Yousuf said. “She was working most of the time, and we were having good times back then as well. It was difficult, but we thought, ‘This is part of our life. We cannot think of a life without struggle. So this is our struggle right now.’”
Graham Andrew Wetherell September 3, 2007 - July 16, 2026
An Aggie steadfast in faith and friendships Graham Andrew Wetherell, a construction science freshman, was described as a warm, caring person, who never let anyone feel unwelcome as long as they were in his presence. “He is very fun loving, warm, like never met a stranger in a person,” his mother Erica Wetherell said. “Just would kind of welcome you in and make you feel like seen very quickly.” Having many friends in his close circle, it truly stood as a plausible reflection of who Graham was as a person and, more importantly, how he treated those around him. “But people would say he wasn’t popular because he was ‘rich,’” Erica said. “He was popular because he was really kind, and he really made people feel seen. And I think I’m probably most proud of him for that.” While Graham cherished those relationships with friends, his character and personality followed him home. For Erica, some of her fondest memories were simply of having Graham around and the energy and love he poured into every room he entered. “He brought a lot of fun to the family because he was just a really warm and fun person,” Erica said. “So, yeah, he was great to be around. He didn’t ever just sit
down and do nothing. He was always doing something; he was on the go a lot. And so he just brought a lot of energy to the family.” During his senior year of high school, Graham, along with four of his friends, converted an old bus into an RV for a capstone engineering project. After graduation, the group set out to test the newly renovated RV for a cross-country mission through and past the Grand Tetons. For a class assignment that seemed impossible, as far as Graham knew, all things were possible with determination. “He started to figure out that he could make stuff happen … ” Erica said. “He just had a way of deciding something was gonna happen and making it happen.” That determination carried into Graham’s passion for understanding how things work. Despite graduating high school as a member of the Academy of Science and Engineering, engineering was ultimately not the route Graham pursued, instead deciding to go into construction science when he applied to Texas A&M. “He’s just very mechanically inclined, like he can fix anything,” Erica said. “ … He can take stuff apart and figure out how to fix anything and was just very interested,
always, in how things worked.” But his cleverness followed Graham beyond the classroom. From understanding parts of a truck to his senior capstone project, he never left a stone unturned when it came to figuring out how things worked and always finding a way to leave things better than how he found it. “He taught himself how to, like with YouTube videos and whatever, he would teach himself how to fix his truck, work on the bus, I mean, just anything, he would figure out how to do it and just do it himself,” Erica said. “So he’s always been very mechanically inclined, and he’s super resourceful.” His resourcefulness didn’t just mean fixing things, it also meant creating them from the ground up. Filling up his spare time with a business of his own, Graham, along with a friend, operated a highly successful and profitable junk removal business. For the two years that Graham ran the service, he had one goal in mind: to, one day, call himself an entrepreneur. “He really knew that at some point in his life, he was gonna own a business and do something entrepreneurial,” Erica said. “He was just a very, he had an entrepreneurial mindset, which is a figure it out sort
of mindset.” While Graham dedicated time to work, school and the people he surrounded himself with, there was one that remained a constant guiding force throughout his path. “I think for such a young person, he had a very clear idea of what was actually important in life,” Erica said. “And that is a result of his faith, and knowing that there’s more to life than just what we do on this Earth, and the things that we do here have an eternal value to them and importance to them.” Keeping God at his center, much of that faith showed up in many aspects of his life. In high school, Graham had hosted a weekly Bible study, creating an inviting space for his friends to have access to and deepen their faith in an approachable setting. “He had real strong leadership skills, and so it mattered to him that he and his friends get together to do Bible study and sharpen their faith, and ask deep questions, ask hard questions, really think through, like, big, important things that teenagers are often not thinking about,” Erica said. Through his faith, Graham found purpose in not only how he walked down his own path but also in approaching life with the willingness to serve and lead others.