Eric Nguyen

I'm a new chaser and a new photographer so Eric was definatly one of the people I looked up to. I never knew him but as many other people in my situation have said, I kinda feel like I did, just after hearing the things people have said about him in here. My thoughts go out to his family and friends.
 
I too want to extend my condolences to Eric's family, Amos, Scott C., Scott B., Bob F. and I want to say for the last time, thanks, Eric, for those incredible pictures of Mulvane,Ks tornado,you did a masterpice I think I'll never forget it.


Here the last goodbye of italian chasers, my friends that knew and appreciated his beautiful pics.

http://forum.meteonetwork.it/showthread.php?t=61416
 
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I met Eric a few months back during the Tulia incident. I noticed one thing when I saw his Xterra messed up so bad during that time. He had a smile on his face and a camera in his hand taking photos of the vehicle like it was a storm on the plains. It didn't seem to bother him a bit. I could tell at that moment that the camera was like an extension of his hand. And looking at the great photos on his site, it definitely was. Like I said, I didn't hardly know him at all, but at work today, he was all that I could think about. Eric is a lost brother in our chase community that will never be forgotten and storm chasing will never be the same without him. Amos, and the rest of his close friends and family; I pray that you heart will be healed and that the great memories of Eric will make you smile every time you think about him.

Eric, I love you bro and you will never be forgotten!!!
REST IN PEACE...
 
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Eric

I'm kinda late entering here, didn't really know what to say but needed to say something. I knew Eric for about 10 years now. I started emailing him when I was in 6th grade after I found his webpage and wanted to know more. He was always helpful and always awesome to talk to. He really took my spark of interest in severe weather and added gas to the fire. When I started photographing storms, he sold me my first camera, which was his first SLR, for the price of shipping it from Norman to Savannah, GA. I still have it and sure as hell will never sell it. We'd talk hams, cameras and insturments which I'm sure most of you know, man was in love with it all. I remember when he started planning that kickass van of his and the website he put up for people to bounce around ideas around for it. We stayed up all night once talking about it. More than storm chasing, Eric was a hilarious man. Could keep you laughing for hours of the most random things. I hadn't heard from Eric in a while, we'd keep in touch via emails, just didn't know the last time we spoke was truely the last time.

I will truely never chase, never see a bolt of lightning or the roll of thunder without thinking about him. We'll miss you bro.

Sincerely,
Jason Castine
 
The passing of Eric Nguyen marks the loss of a truly remarkable and inspiring individual that contributed so much to our passion.

I first met Eric several years ago and have since experienced many great memories with him. He was truly an inspiration to be around and one of the most humble gentlemen I’ve had the pleasure to come across. He exemplified the true nature of a chaser in every sense of the word, while staying true to the dignity and class we should all strive to achieve. I am truly thankful and honored to have known him and considered his friend. The legacy Eric leaves behind will forever inspire weather enthusiast of all walks of life and I thank him for that.

I’ll forever miss his witty nature, contagious smile, and the always enjoyable collection of clever shirts he would wear. From witnessing a captivating sky to chatting about past storms to meeting up to celebrate our best friend’s wedding, these memories will serve as a lasting tribute to Eric. You have left this world and are now faced with a new one. I will cherish the day when we meet again, under the pearly archway illuminated by golden mammatus. Rest in peace my friend.
 
Some kind words from Katie Burtis, a friend of Eric:

I am so saddened by this tragic loss, to Eric’s family and closest friends, my deepest sympathy to all of you. To the chaser community, we have lost a very significant member of our group. Reading all the previous posts from close friends to others who have not had the opportunity to meet Eric, I wanted to say that it’s easy to see how Eric made an impact on all our lives…including mine. We will all miss Eric very much and the plains will never be the same.


Here’s a few of my memories:
I first met Eric the day before the Manchester tornado, in June, 2003. I ran into Eric and Scott Blair during a summer project. We talked about the hail in Aurora the day before and how the day looked to set up. I didn’t think I would ever see them again. The main things I remember from that day included Eric’s van and the two guys in the van and how nice they were to me. I’m sure they were thinking at the time… “That girl’s crazyâ€￾
Eric and I ran into each other a few more times over the open plains and then I was able to hang out with him at Scott Blair’s wedding this past March. There I saw many of his famous shirts including the Natural Log Cabin shirt. He also had another shirt that referenced to the movie “The 6th Senseâ€￾ haha. I believe that was also the night the Hand Grenade Mix was dispersed amongst the wedding party. Good times.
I have attached a few pictures of Eric from Scott Blair’s wedding below.

[FONT=&quot]One more thing I wanted to add: This past Tuesday I saw the most breathe-taking sunrise. The skies were mostly cloudy and as the sun rose above the horizon the clouds turned shades of pink, red and orange. The first rainbow appeared, and it was beautiful. Shortly after, the second rainbow came to view. This was the most beautiful-and emotional sunrise I have ever experienced. I know this was God’s way of welcoming Eric home. Rest in peace, Friend. You will be missed greatly.
eric

[/FONT][FONT=&quot]I asked Eric to give his best “pouty faceâ€￾ for the camera because he missed Amos at the wedding. .

eric2

[/FONT][FONT=&quot]Eric, Scott Blair, Blake Michaleski, Derek Deroche and many others joining in on the traditional dance of what is known today as the “Arkansas Danceâ€￾. [/FONT]
 
You know, I was gonna post that pic but decided not to as I didnt want to embarass myself, Eric, Scott, or Derek...Looks like ya took care of that one! LOL! I'm sure Eric thought we were all crazy for getting so excited and dancing like a bunch of hillbillies. I remember Eric really getting a kick out of what we did to Scott's chase car, including the paper cup anemometer and the simulated hail (straight from the ice machine). I'm glad I have those recent memories of Eric.

Eric, you'll be there with each of us as we stand with our backs to the inflow, facing the storm.
 
This is really, really sad stuff, guys...

Eric was a great guy ... I wish the best to his soul and family.

I have been going through many chase logs the past couple of months, some as far back as 1999-2000, Eric in most of them.

I really do not know what else to say, gets me very choked up.
 
Both my wife and I were shocked and saddened to hear this terrible news. My wife had taken a number of classes with him while at OU and knew him personally; as for myself, I primarily knew of him as a chaser, and like many others was wowed by his Mulvane shots.

His family must be going through a very rough time right now, I hope and pray they experience peace and healing.
 
I never had the opportunity to know Eric personally (though I had seen him sporadically around OU from time to time), but I know how well-reputed he was around the chase community, how talented he was at chasing and storm photography/videography, and most imporantly of all how good of a friend he was to those who did have the priviledge of being close friends with him.

Despite never having known Eric, I am deeply saddened with what has happened.

I just want all of you who were close to Eric know that my heartfelt sympathy and condolences go out to you, and also that you are in my prayers. May God show his love to each of you through this difficult time.
 
Eric

I hope Eric has found the peace he was unable to find on earth.

I will remember him , his family and other friends in my prayers.

May you all have the strength to get through this tragedy.

I wanted to share the following in hopes it might also offer some comfort to Eric's family and friends.

After a loss a few months ago a good friend suggested I listen to a song by Brooks & Dunn called "Believe".

from the song : (Chorus)
"I raise my hands, bow my head
I'm finding more and more truth in the words written in red
They tell me that there's more to life than just what i can see
Oh i believe"

Another song that helped is called " See You On The Other Side " by Ozzy Osbourne.

from the lyrics :

"I was down, but now Im flying
Straight across the great divide
I know you're crying, but Ill stop you crying
When I see you, I see you on the other side
Yes. Ill see you. see you on the other side
Im gonna see you. see you on the other side
God knows Ill see you, see you on the other side, yeah"

I think we manage to move on with our lives after a loss in part because we know our friends who have passed on to Heaven would want us to ..... until we see them again "on the other side"

Dean Cosgrove
 
I also met Eric in 2002 or 2003. We were classmates in the met. program at OU. I had seen him in the field several times before and always admired his photography skills. I remember pulling up next to him somewhere in Texas on April 5, 2003. He had lost a couple of side windows on his van to hail. There was also a dead pelican in the road. I'll try to find this video for whoever is producing the tribute on the Storms of 2007 DVD.

You could never mistake that van of his going down the road...that hail guard sticking out from the roof...the instruments on top. I always thought, "Man, that's got to be a sweet ride for a chase!"

Jeff Snyder 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.
Click to expand...

I was in that Technical Writing group, too. Jeff, I still think I have all of our work saved somewhere. That was one of the funnest projects I think I ever did in college. I also remember him working on all those GEMPAK maps for hours...the Friday Night GEMPAK parties in the old SEC Maproom.

My thoughts and prayers go out to all of Eric's friends and family.
 
All,

We're making fast progress on securing a location and date for the chaser gathering to remember Eric. This will take place in Norman Oklahoma and almost certainly on a Saturday late afternoon/evening. We could have an announcement within 24 hours of a specific date and time.

As well, we're working toward the rapid creation of a foundation at OU to support an annual scholarship in Eric's name. Many have asked about charities or where to send gifts; the foundation will be that place and we'll have information about how to donate just as soon as we can. Please thank OU students Bob Fritchie and Rachael Sigler for handling these tasks in the midst of their own grieving.

Amos
 
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