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The 21-year-old Byram Hills High School graduate, state track star and Temple University junior was a deeply poetic person who loved jazz but who suffered bouts of severe depression.
His body was found Thursday, Oct. 2, by a park ranger at Glazier Preserve in New Castle after he went missing on Monday.
"Miles' love has united us in life,'' said Rabbi Douglas Krantz. "The song that was Miles is playing now quietly in our broken hearts. ... We so loved Miles."
His sister, brother, aunt, parents, grandparents and others all shared rich, touching memories. Everyone said they will remember his music and kindness, but most of all -- his smile.
Stanley Applebaum, who turned 83 last week during the search for his grandson, said, "Miles passed through life like a ship passing through water leaving a wake -- a wake of memory waves. Now, we are sweetly rocked by those memory waves."
Miles Applebaum was home on medical leave from Temple's Boyer College of Music & Dance. His father, Edward, said his son had been on and off various medications and been suicidal.
His younger sister, Hannah, said, "I always imagined you, Max and I would grow old together. Unfortunately, not all dreams come true. Miles, I hope you can hear me. You are my hero. ... I want everyone to celebrate Miles' life. So short, but extremely sweet."
Max Applebaum savored the memory of spending Thanksgiving 2013 with his younger brother in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, where Miles was an exchange student.
"He taught me running and exercise were the best remedy,'' Max Applebaum said, noting that his brother could run 5 kilometers in 17 minutes without breaking a sweat. Miles was a member of the Byram Hills cross country team that qualified for the state championship.
Charlie Lagond, who said Applebaum had helped out at his music studio before he disappeared Monday, called him "one of the hardest working and most passionate students we ever had."
Irene Fried, his grandmother, said: "You had such a wistful smile and great dreams. ...Your (guitar) jamming has ended at 21 years, but memories of you will always remain. I think you are looking down on us."
His mother, Shari, remembered walks on the beach, bike rides in the city, a house filled with melodies. "When we see stars in the sky at night, we can think of Miles and know he found his way,'' she said.
The family asked that donations in his memory be made to the Lagond Music School, NAMI and Spring Lake Ranch.
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