Never had I met someone who lived life to its fullest and laughed and enjoyed everything that he did. Darin loved his job, his family, his friends, his country, and most of all his wife Devora. I was fortunate enough to think of Darin as a friend. We will miss you very much, Darin.

Just wanted to say that he was a pleasant person to work with and he made a fine officer. He will be missed.

Lt. Pontell taught me to be a great sailor. He made watch fun, even at 2 a.m. on a Saturday. We will miss him!

I spent my first year at the Naval Academy as a plebe under Darin's charge. We became friends over the following two years, and I know that he became a good, trustworthy officer in the U.S. Navy. In life, there are a few people that we're lucky to run into, and Darin was one of them. God bless you, Darin.