Aaron Simon Belkin

June 20, 1990 - October 14, 2018

Aaron Simon Belkin, our beautiful brother, son, cousin and friend, departed this world on October 14, 2018. Aaron was an exceptionally bright, imaginative, adventurous, entrepreneurial, fun loving, and inspiring young man. At 28-years-old, on the launch pad of his life, Aaron tragically passed away as he slept next to his golden retriever, Monty, during a visit home to Berkeley, CA, from Colombia, South America. There he co-founded and ambitiously led an investor group that operated “The Dreamer”—a global travel brand pushing the limits of creative community building, vision, and design—in some of the world’s most unique and beautiful locations.

Aaron was a true renaissance man. He thought big. He embodied creative vision and attracted like-minded souls that could collectively actualize big dreams and ambitious plans. His friends and colleagues deeply admired Aaron for teaching without preaching; leading without arrogance; and fearlessly seeking out life with unbridled passion. He quietly inspired those whose lives he touched to do better, to be better, to reach higher, and with meticulous preparation to pursue their dreams.

Aaron was a true maverick that enjoyed challenging the status quo. A polymath whose curiosity was his guiding light, Aaron was a budding real estate mogul, architectural visionary, athlete, musician, and pilot. Even more importantly, Aaron was a wonderful person—exceedingly warm, easy going, very bright yet modest.

Born on June 20, 1990, in Berkeley, California, Aaron was a proud Bay Area native (and hardcore Warriors fan). He graduated from Tehiyah Day School and Berkeley High School before attending Washington University in St. Louis to pursue his passion for real estate development. He graduated with honors, earning B.A. degrees in Finance and Economics with a minor in Architecture. Upon graduation, Aaron joined the New York City-based, global real estate firm, Brookfield, working on high-profile deals in its mergers & acquisitions group.

Aaron’s beautiful mother, Gwynn L. Simon, an infectious disease physician, pre-deceased Aaron on May 26, 2018. Aaron is survived by his loving father, attorney Charles L. Belkin; his exceedingly devoted brother and best friend, Noah Belkin; and cherished siblings Ryan, Kurtis, Josh, & Kristy; his Uncle Harlan Simon and Aunt Mary Cain-Simon, among many other adoring aunts, uncles, cousins, fraternity brothers, lifelong friends, and extended family—in particular Lai Sio Saechao who was like a second mother, and her daughter, Chio Saechao, who was like a sister. Aaron was much more than a Dreamer, as depicted in one of his favorite quotes, “Vision without execution is just hallucination.” He was a creator, builder, future captain of industry, and philanthropist. Giving back and “Tikkun Olam” (the Jewish principle of repairing the world) have always been pillars of Aaron’s worldview. To honor his vision, donations in Aaron’s memory can be made to the non-profit he co-founded, “Dreamers United,” at www.dreamerinternational.org, to help the children of the communities in which The Dreamer businesses operate.

Our dear Aaron’s bright blue eyes, mischievous smile, gentle soul, and love of life are everlasting. His kind heart still beats within all of us. Just as there are stars whose radiance is visible on Earth though they have long been extinct, Aaron’s brilliance will continue to light the world even though he is no longer with us.

Aaron, we will miss you more than words could ever express… May your legacy of unbridled vision, ambitious action, and compassion, inspire many other dreamers to go “all in” to make the world a better place.