Eric Nguyen

I simply don't know what to say. This is shocking. I haven't been keeping up with the board or the chat much the past couple of weeks and I just learned of his passing. This is just so terribly sad.

I have never met Eric in person, though I did get to chat with him a great deal back in the 2001 and 2002 timeframe when he was so active in weather chat. And I have also followed his posts here and his chase reports. Chasers and weather enthusiasts are a relatively small, yet close knit group. So when something happens to a member of that community, it's effects are heavily felt by everyone.

Like most others have described, he always came across as a highly knowledgeable and dedicated chaser. He was also a very nice, well mannered and helpful person. I'm sure I probably learned quite a few valuable severe weather forecasting tips from his discussions.

This is just all really hard to believe. I mean everyone is describing him in the same way. Everyone has mentioned how nice he was, how outgoing, how caring and concerned. He was very intelligent. He loved what he did and had a tremendous passion for it. He seemed to have everything going for him and so much to live for. And Amos, I am sure you know these things better than me or anyone else here so this has to be really tough on you. How could a man who cares so much for others do something like this to himself? There's never any answers to these kind of questions. But perhaps it is people like this who feel so much for others, sensitive, caring people, who also hurt the worst on the inside and often keep things bottled up, so as to not "worry" anyone else with their problems. I have found many times that people with Eric's traits spend all of their time worrying about the well being of everyone else while giving little thought to themselves. That makes his loss so much harder to accept, because there just aren't a surplus of genuinly nice people out there in today's world that seek to put the needs of others before their own.

Again, I am terribly saddened to learn of this tragedy. I will pray for his family and friends. Amos, that includes you as well my friend. And if you ever just need someone to chat with, I'll be here man. Dealing with something like this is never an easy thing to do and you'll carry this pain for the rest of your life. But sometimes simply talking about things when your mind fills up with thoughts, memories and those "why" questions that frequently come around can be quite helpful, much like you have done in this thread. Again, my thoughts and prayers are with you and with Eric's family.

-George
 
stunned and sad

This is so sad.

I met Eric once, along with Amos, for a few minutes at a diner in Lamar CO on June 3, 2005. As someone who does not live in the Alley and does not chase often enough to regularly meet other chasers, I felt lucky to meet someone who was clearly one of the most passionate and gifted chasers. Since getting into chasing I have marveled at how often Eric's name is at the bottom of an amazing photograph.

My thoughts and prayers are with Eric's family and friends, and some thoughts I must put here. Not knowing Eric or his situation I can't really say anything substantive except this: it is so important to keep tabs on people who are going through a rough time. Guys especially will bottle things up until it all comes out at once, and often that is too much to handle. Some people are experts at hiding these feelings because they do not want to burden their family and friends. If you know someone going through a rough period, any major life change, please ask them how they are doing even if they seem alright. I know this can't always prevent this terrible outcome, but it must be said.

Also, statistics show that Eric's children will be at enhanced risk of suicide attempts in their teen years. In time they will need to hear from their mom and all of you close to them that they do not need to go through what their father did. They need to know that others will be there for them no matter what they are feeling inside, that they are loved and worthy of love no matter what.

May God be with you all as you go through this time of sadness and loss, and may happy memories of Eric's amazing life ease the pain.
 
Jim Reed asked me to post this on his behalf.

ericweb01.jpg


Eric Nguyen – The Professional

by Jim Reed

On Sunday, September 9, 2007, storm chaser and JRP contributor Eric Nguyen passed away. He was 29-years old and leaves behind a wife, Nina, and two boys, Sean, 11, and Chris, 9. He held a Bachelor of Science Degree in Meteorology from the University of Oklahoma.

Eric’s sudden death has stunned the storm chasing community, leaving many of us crippled with disbelief and the heart-breaking challenge of healing from a head-on collision with the incomprehensible. Eric was young, artistic, proficient, and one of JRP’s most popular and accomplished weather shooters. Professionally, he was a rising star.



WORKING TOGETHER


In an effort to help fellow storm chasers get their work seen by worldwide photo editors, I tried to mentor a variety of promising weather photographers from 2004 through 2006.

Eric was one of the first individuals I ever represented – and certainly one of my favorites. He was an agent’s dream. Eric consistently created high-quality imagery, he provided details for captioning, he responded to inquiries quickly, and he was a low-maintenance team player who always said, “thank you.â€

For nearly three years, JRP photo editor Katherine Bay and I had the privilege of editing, cleaning, processing, and preparing Eric’s images for others to see.

Of the 27 photographers I tried to help, Eric’s images frequently commanded the strongest interest of JRP clients. At times, Eric’s work was even selected over mine, but I didn’t care because he was such a truly nice guy.

In 2004, Accord Publishing chose a tornado image captured by storm chase partner Katherine Bay and I for the cover of their 2005 Weather Guide Calendar. A few days before going to press, however, a tornado struck Mulvane, Kansas and changed everything.

Meteorologist Jon Davies and I documented the picturesque twister from the south, looking north. Eric was on the north side of the tornado, looking south. With the click of a shutter, Eric’s professional life was about to change in a very big way.

Known by many storm chasers as the “Mulvane Tornado,†the image Eric captured on June 12, 2004 has become his most iconic image: a hauntingly white tornado, beautifully front-lit by the setting sun, tragically destroying a house, with a rainbow off to one side (Image 1).



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Image 1.



The stunning image launched Eric’s worldwide stock photo calling. Seeing the photo, Accord smartly pulled the image shot by Kate and me and replaced it with Eric’s masterpiece (Image 2). Eric and I joked about it for quite some time and, despite losing the cover, I was delighted to have my images next to his in the calendar. This began what I can only describe as a kindred-like colleagueship with Eric. I always looked forward to receiving Eric’s newest photos because I knew they would inspire and challenge me.




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Image 2.



Eric was one of the few photographers I had on both speed dial and smart mailbox, and we spoke regularly. But the running gag between us was that we could never seem to meet in person – even while covering the very same storm.

We came close to rendezvousing on June 24, 2004 while documenting an outbreak of tornadoes in Turner County, South Dakota. A twister had hurled chunks of debris onto our only road north. Several of us jumped out of our chase vehicles and teamed-up to try and clear the lanes. Without recognizing each other, Eric and I literally cleared the road together, side-by-side (Image 3).



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Image 3.



Days later, Eric and I laughed about our close encounter and again asked, would we ever meet in person?



ERIC TURNS PRO

Few weather enthusiasts can truthfully call themselves professional storm chasers; even fewer are internationally published weather photographers. Eric was both.

One of my proudest offerings to Eric was helping him get published for the first time in National Geographic (Image 4) and Time Magazine. I will never forget how excited he sounded over the phone.



ericweb08%281%29.jpg
Image 4.


But perhaps one of the happiest reactions I got from Eric was when I notified him that I was negotiating to have one of his photos used in a book for NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center (like myself, he was an enthusiastic space fan).

Eric’s images were so widely popular that I frequently found myself negotiating on his behalf while literally storm chasing or driving into a hurricane. But our relationship was about more than just rights-managed licenses and royalty statements. It was also about developing a friendship and mutually inspiring each other to become better photographers.

While working together, I watched proudly as Eric amassed a who’s who of well-deserved publishing credits, among them: CNN, Dorling Kindersley, Esquire Magazine, Harper Collins, Houghton-Mifflin, McGraw-Hill, NASA, Marshall Cavendish, National Geographic, Parents Magazine, Rand McNally, Smithsonian Magazine, Time, and W. W. Norton.



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Eric was one of four storm chasers selected to appear for two years on CNN's
popular Storm Chasers and Tornado Web page.



Eric’s work was popular overseas as well, especially in Australia, Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

Eric’s weather images will be used to teach students of all ages in a variety of science books for many years to come.



TIME TO MOVE ON

Earlier this year I had to painfully, and begrudgingly, give up representing fellow storm chasers because of the rising demands and rigors of my own shooting, writing, and travel schedule. It was one of the toughest decisions I have ever made.

Eric was one of only a handful who thanked me for my efforts and later sent me an email saying, “If you ever want to represent my work again, I’d love to have you back.â€

Eric’s note touched me like no other. The words “I’d love to have you back†jabbed at my heart. How could I abandon such magical talent? I wondered.

Before retiring as a photo agent, I energetically lobbied for Corbis Images, the second largest photo agency in the world, to offer our talented shooters contracts of their own.

Out of our 27 storm chasers, Corbis offered personal contracts to only three. Eric was one of them.



ericweb10.jpg
Image 5.


My final project with Eric was negotiating the cover image for Jon Davies’ popular new book for kids, “Storm Chasers: On the Trail of Twisters†for Farcountry Press released over the summer. Eric shot the cover photo of a tornado (Image 5).



ONE FINAL CHASE

On June 6, 2007 I was on-assignment for a client to photograph storm chasers Reed Timmer and Joel Taylor. Before storms fired, we stopped in Valentine, Nebraska for a bite to eat. Noticing a chaser convergence in the parking lot of one of the local hotels, we couldn’t resist and bounced into the lot.

I climbed out of our storm chase vehicle and began taking pictures, then paused, as if being watched. I turned. A young man squeezed out of a vehicle and stepped forward with a welcoming smile.

“I’m Eric,†he said.

Finally, and for the first time in our careers, we were meeting in person! Eric and I hugged like a couple of old college roommates, and then enthusiastically shook hands, happily hamming it up for Kate’s camera.


ericweb05%281%29.jpg
Eric Nguyen (left) and Jim Reed in Valentine, Nebraska on June 6, 2007.

“Can you believe this?! We’re actually meeting -- in person!†I hollered with a smile normally reserved for getting an assignment with National Geographic.

And then the world turned upside-down.

On Labor Day I received a phone call telling me Eric was in a Texas hospital I.C.U. in a coma. He had attempted suicide following a long battle with depression and was not expected to live.

Six days later, Eric was gone.

There would be no more handshakes.

No more phone calls.

No more photographs.

For the past 12 days I have been clandestinely grieving for my fellow professional and kindred spirit.

Tonight I sent an email to Heaven.

It says simply,

“I’d love to have you back.â€


Links:

Eric Nguyen September 22 Memorial Storm Chaser Gathering
Eric Nguyen Endowed Scholarship
Eric Nguyen Original Web Site
 
I haven't been checking stormtrack lately and I just found out about this sad news. Eric was always one of the names that came to mind when I thought of who the elite storm chasers were. My heart goes out to his family and friends that are dealing with this.
 


First of all my deepest sympathy to Eric's family and friends, I can only add my shock and my sadness as so many of the fellow stormchasers have mentioned on Stormtrack.

I didn't meet Eric myself either, but from the pictures and comments all of you have said about Eric. He would've been a class act to meet...

Eric may you rest in peace and only find the biggest hail and biggest 'naders' that we can only dream of. Even though I didn't meet you Eric the next thunderstorm I'm in I'll dedicate it to you. Ride that RFD wind.. ride on.

Randy Chamberlain
 
Eric Nguyen...

Very sorry to hear about this...

Though I didn't know Eric...as an avid stormchaser and student of our convective skies, I knew of Eric and his involvement in chasing and his photography et al.

My thoughts are with his family and personal friends.
 
It is with deep sadness that I read of the loss of such a young talent as this.

My thoughts go out to Eric's family and friends. I lost a good friend myself, about ten years ago, in similar circumstances and at a similar age, and know the crazy mixture of emotions that arises, from firsthand.

Eric's work, amongst others on your side of the Atlantic, was an inspiration to someone starting out in weather-photography over here in the UK.

Thanks for that, Eric.

John
 
I post this because I will never forget Eric. None of us will. It has been over a week since this terrible news, and we are still thinking of Eric and what has happened every minute of every day. It is still too recent to not hurt.

The monumental outpouring of grief, well-wishing, arrangements for the Scholarship and Gathering, friends leaning on friends......all this is evidence of the man Eric Nguyen was. The silence that the chaser community has fallen under, the painful realization that we have indeed lost someone who embodied what we all strive to be......we should all listen to these signs and know how much Eric brought to our own lives and to the chaser community at large.

It is not getting any easier to accept Eric's passing, nor will it ever. Moreover, as Mike Peregrine wrote on his Blog about Eric, untimely losses such as this will never go away, never diminish, never be forgotten. They become a scar. A tender spot on each and every one of our hearts that we will carry with us for the rest of our lives no matter where we find ourselves or what we find ourselves doing. I know that the next time I'm scrabbling for my camera and struggling to hold my tripod down in RFD winds as that imposing elephant's trunk churns through a grassy plain before me with it's attendant robes of lashing grey rain, the rain won't be the only thing that's coursing down my face. We all know that we will find the essence of Eric's great life and works out there on the Plains. I will never forget how lucky we are that we remain here to appreciate such things.

Huge thanks and gratitude must go to those amongst us who have worked so hard underneath the enormous burden of losing someone so close. Amos, Bob & Rachael and all others who so effectively and decisively gave us the Scholarship and the Gathering as ways to give thanks for and honor Eric's life and memory. We must also never forget the wider circle of close friends who grieve to this day and will forever on the passing of such a friend as Eric; Amos, Scott B., Jason, Bob, Rachael, Scott C. ........all people who shared this special thing called friendship with Eric.

I never did get to chase with Eric. That's something I will always regret. But I do feel I knew him well. I will never forget giving him a ride to dinner back in March this year during Scott B.'s wedding......he and Jason and I must have laughed so hard we were winded before we went in to eat. We talked politics. We talked weather. We talked life. We talked philosophy. Eric regaled us with his Agent Smith impersonations. It was a rare time, a rare moment in this life where you were able to catch up with someone that you - painfully - realized you hadn't been in touch with enough lately.

Just wanted to share some more thoughts as the days have gone by......hopefully the gathering in Norman this weekend will allow us express our closeness with Eric, and cement our closeness with so many friends who we haven't seen in so long.

KL
 
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I would also like to extend my condolences to Eric's friends and family. Although I did not know him beyond a casual meeting or two at large chaser events and through his internet postings, it is obvious from all that has been posted here that he was a very special person.

Things like this are very difficult to comprehend. Several years ago, a very popular and outgoing individual in my ski club took his life - a total shock to all of us left behind. Sometimes you just can't see it coming.
 
I just learned this afternoon, and am both stunned and saddened beyond belief. :( Several years ago, I lost a lifelong friend in the same tragic manner far too soon. My most humble condolences to Eric's precious family, friends, and fellow chasers.

May God bless,
Perry
 
Shawn Camp asked me to pass this along to Stormtrack.

Dear fellow chasers and others

like you and most people words cannot express the greif and sorrow that we're all feeling over this terrible loss. I knew Eric and chased with him on a few occations and I still ask myself Why ???? but with this question I hear my mother tell me Remember the good times. I didn't know Eric as well as others but the pain radiates in me as much as it does in many others trust me and Eric gave me many things that I will cherrish forever and one of them is to continue to be a Better chaser and Forecaster and better at the Meteorology as a whole. Eric has left many lasting impressions. But now he is chasing on a higher plain and he will always be with us Forever. When the wind blows wild, when the Lightning and thunder roar across the sky just think of Eric man oh man did he love to see Nature put on a show !!! and some of us were there to see it with him.

Shawn C.
 
Steve Vanderburg, a close friend of Eric wrote these words to express his feelings regarding the loss. I add these to this thread with his permission.

I've (we've) lost a dear friend today. Most people knew Eric Nguyen as one of the greatest chasers and storm photographers of all-time... but to me, Eric Nguyen was a great friend! We spent nearly every waking hour together Soph, Jr, and Sr years at OU working on meteorological problem sets, getting into trouble, and just plain havin' fun. From impersonating Billy Mays in Wal-Mart, to late night Chili's Chips N' Queso Runs (and runs to Los Dos Amigos for Sopapillas), to long days and nights spent in the grad lounge at Sarkey's Energy Center, to post-chase meetings at Pizza Hut, to hearing that familiar voice say "KD5HPZ Mobile" over the radio, I have so many great memories of the time we spent together during our college years. It's been a particularly rough day for me, despite the fact that I've had a week to prepare for this news. Words cannot describe the sense of loss. It tore me up knowing that I would be unable to be there by Eric's side during those final moments, but I'm forever grateful that Bob, Rachael, Amos, and both Scotts were there to make sure that he did not pass from this life alone and without a hand to hold. Eric, I'll never forget the great times we had, the frequent laughs we enjoyed, and the camaraderie we shared during these last 5 years. Your spirit lives on through all those whose lives you've touched. I'll miss you!
 
We have agreed with NWC for a noon Friday (9-21) deadline for people to RSVP to the Saturday get-together in Norman. This is necessary for security reasons and the printing of nametags, and to give us an idea of how much food to buy. If you don't RSVP, it's unlikely you'll be able to get in.

For those who have RSVP'd already, please remember to bring a valid form of I.D. (drivers license, etc) to gain entrance to the NWC. Like we mentioned before, the university has kindly donated this space and time free of charge and we want to respect their few conditions. The get-together begins at 5:00 PM on Saturday Sept 22.

Here's the place to RSVP:

http://ericnguyengathering.com/rsvp.php

Thanks, all.
 
Man... I feel terrible. I haven't had a chance to log on ST in a few weeks due to being so busy and was completely unaware of this or I definently would have headed down to Norman for the gathering.

I had known Eric since I was about 13 years old. He was probably the first chaser I had any communication with and was always very open to talking with me despite the fact I was so young. Eric taught me countless things about metorology and even helped put together my chase vehicle when I turned 16. We used to talk quite regularly on AIM and I usually would try to drop in and visit with him anytime I was going thru the OKC area. He was quite honestly my biggest idol growing up and I really looked up to him when I was younger and too young to chase. He was also an extremely intelligent and smart individual. I hadn't talked to Eric in a few months and was wondering what he was up to.

R.I.P
 
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