Eric Nguyen

[Amos Magliocco]

I'm sorry to pass along that Eric Nguyen attempted to take his own life a week ago today and is currently in a coma in Arlington, Texas. Eric suffered catastrophic brain damage and is not expected to live more than a few days. He would want his friends to maintain his privacy as long as possible, thus the delay posting this news. I hope everyone can understand.

As you can imagine, we're all devastated.

Eric has a wife, two young boys, and many friends in and out of chasing who've called and emailed to express their concern. My answers have been sporadic because my focus is with Eric. From now on, I'll use this thread to share what I learn. Later on, of course, I'll have much more to share.

Thanks, everybody, for the kind words sent so far. I've read a few of the emails out loud to Eric's family and they've been very moved.

Amos Magliocco

 

[Aaron Kennedy]

A tragic situation... my thoughts are with his family.

I had the pleasure of having Eric as a classmate as an undergrad. We spent many a night in the maproom working on assignments, talking chasing and photography before and after classes, and of course eating at Los Dos Amigos (I'm pretty sure the staff there knew him by name). While I could write paragraphs about his chasing and photography skills, I'll always remember him for his bada$$ GEMPAK plots http://www.mesoscale.ws/forecast/.

- Eric in the maproom. He was always chewing on sunflower seeds.

- Eric in McPherson, KS an hour or two before initiation on the Mulvane day (12 June 2004). I used to joke around with my chase partners that if we ran into Eric while chasing, we were probably on the best storm of the day.

 

[Bob Schafer]

I'm stunned and pretty much speechless. What horrible, horrible news. My thoughts and prayers to everyone affected, naturally.

 

[Floss Ralston]

OMG, I am shocked as well. He's too young n he can't leave his family. I hope his family gives it some time before they let him go. Due to the fact we were told the same thing about my son n he is now walking, talking, eating n his memory is getting better each day My prayers n thoughts are with him n his family.

 

[Shane Adams]

I'm only replying to let everyone know how much this effects me......other than that, I'm stunned beyond words. So many questions are filling my head right now.

Thanks Amos for sending word, my thoughts are with you as well as all of Eric's family and friends.

 

[Jeff Snyder]

I can't say anything beyond what others have said... Eric and I were partners for an term project in a Technical Writing class a few years ago, and I saw a lot of him in the old "Map Room" in SEC. He was a genuinely nice guy, and I was always taken aback by his willingness to actually listen to everybody with whom he was conversing. Sometimes, it seems as though some people aren't really listening when you are talking with them, but Eric always made it seem as though he really gave you 100% of his attention. He was one of those people that you could always easily talk to, personable and laid back. He was a skilled and respected chaser, with photography skills that rival the best in this hobby and field of work.

It's so sad to see such a tragic and abrupt end to a young chaser and caring human. I slept terribly the night after I first heard of this, since it seemed as surprising as anything I've ever heard. I'm still holding out hope that he can at least live through the next week, but I recognize his prognosis is dire.

My thoughts are with Eric and his family. In addition, I know how much Eric and Amos chased together (seems any time I saw either one of them, I saw the other as well), so I really feel for what Amos is going through.

 

[Blake Michaleski]

I got the news several days ago and was stunned as well. I've had a few days to let it sink in... Eric was probably the second or third chaser I ever met. I learned alot about chasing from him. He liked to talk equipment in the old chat room. He's a brilliant guy who was an extremely gifted chaser.

One of the absolute best time I had with him was when Scott Blair and I went to Norman just to visit one day in August a few years ago. We met up with Shane and went dust devil chasing. Excellent times!!! I'll never forget watching the old Dawn of the Dead and Castaway when we visited him. I last got to chat with him at Scott's wedding just months ago in Louisiana. It was great to get to talk chasing with him.

My prayers are with Eric, his family, and all of his friends, especially Amos.

Thanks for keeping us updated Amos.

 

[Jeff Miller]

I want to express my sadness and shock about this. I've never personally met Eric but I am absolutely saddened and stunned to hear this. I'm wishing the best for him, and I offer only the words of comfort to his family, and children during this horrific time.

 

[Darin Brunin]

Wow....I am in shock. I have never met Eric but have always admired his photographic work and have never heard one bad thing about him. My thoughts go out to his family and friends in this horrible time.

 

[Shane Adams]

I've had a while to let this sink, so here's a few fond memories of my times with Eric....

As Blake mentioned, August 6, 2001 when Eric, Blake, Scott, and I observed no less than 72 dustdevils near Paoli, OK. Some of the best video outtakes and bloopers I have in my library came from that day, including a slo-mo shot of Eric running with a balloon in hand, trying to intercept a dustdevil and "deploy" the probe. Also, who could forget the infamous chaser party he hosted on December 15, 2001, when scores of chasers from surrounding states congregated for one of the all-time most classic parties in chaserdom...culminating at Chili's and seeing the birth of the infamous "Blue Drinks" which became a favorite with Eric, Scott, and others for years. And he never gave me a bit of grief for my years of mis-pronouncing his last name.

Last but not least, the simple observation that Eric Nguyen is one of the most-accomplished chasers of his genre.

 

[Blake Michaleski]

That Ded 15 party was EPIC... good times. I can't remember who all was there but I do remember meeting Mike H and Graham B for the first time.

I fully agree with how accomplished of a chaser he is. Two weeks or so ago I was showing someone Eric's Mulvane photos just to show them what I think are some of the best still tornado images ever captured.

 

[Tim Marshall]

I am deeply saddened by this news -and angry. Life is such a wonderful gift, so I cannot understand this. I've known Eric since he first got into chasing. He has wowed me many times with his photographs of the sky. I remember those shots of that white tornado southeast of Wichita, KS years ago with the small vortices and rainbow were simply priceless. Then, by contrast, that black, ominous tornado near Hill City a few years ago was simply scary. And then there was Tulia -yikes.

Keep us posted Amos.

TM

 

[Joey Ketcham]

I am shocked beyond words. Unfortunately I never had the chance to meet Eric, but got to know him through his chase logs, photographs and stories shared from other people. I think I passed him a few times, specifically on May 29th, 2004 but didn't have a chance to stop to say hi since we had several tornadoes on the ground.

My thoughts and prayers are with Eric, his family, his friends, and all those who knew and worked with him.

 

[Paul Stofer]

So many things come to mind when I think of Eric. Best Friend, Accomplished, Respected, caring, hilarous, my mentor and role model, teacher, one-of-a-kind, perfect chase partner. I could go on and on. I learned so much from Eric. Eric will be in the minds, hearts, souls of us all for the rest of our lives. There is so much to say, that I can't even express it all. I loved Eric like a brother. Eric was the most down to Earth human anyone would ever meet. Eric knew he was well known, but yet he was approachable and would talk with anyone and everyone. Eric had no sense of grandeur at all, it was all about everyone else and what he could do to help others. I'll have so much more to say in the coming days, but for now will keep quiet on the thread. Chase on brother, I'll see you in the target area again one day.

 

[JF Massicotte]

I am very sad to hear this.


All my thoughts are with Eric, his family and his friends.