Eric Nguyen

[Kurt Hulst]

Truthfully I do not know what to say other than what has been said. In one way i feel numb. He was only two years older than I and it makes a diffrence in thinking about his life. I will miss him. My thoughts and prayers go out for the family, and friends. May we be able to honor Eric's life. He was young man but yet an icon in the chaser community.

 

[Dave Gallaher]

A great loss to a community, an even greater loss to a family and friends...

 

[Matt Starkey]

I didn't know Eric personally, but I am shocked and saddened about his loss. Reading the messages on this thread thus far show what a huge impact this man had on everyone. I hope that Eric knew how important he was to everyone and how special he was to many. I am saddened that alot of people are hurting right now. Eric's family and numerous friends have been dealing with the agony of grief and loss and unfortunately this will continue for a long time. Even those who didn't know him personally have been touched. Many are feeling numb, great loss, with aching hearts and wondering if all this is real or a bad dream. It is hard to come to terms with the reality of it. My condolences go out to Eric's family and close friends right now. My prayers are with you all. All I can say is that in our weakness and helplessness, God will strengthen and comfort us.

Matt

 

[Blake Michaleski]

LoL.... Natural Log Cabin.

Classic Eric.

Amos, thanks for keeping us up to date. And a big thank you to everyone for the excellent stories and photos. The news of Erics passing hits hard. He really was what chasing is all about.

 

[Paul Stofer]

Amos Magliocco wrote it down to the point. Eric would have wanted nothing better than for all of his friends to sit around on our computers reading notes, looking a chase photos and videos and enjoying being with him in the past and present. His friends sat by his bedside, held his hand and were with him until it was time. I am honored to have known Eric, and to have been with such a great group of friends during this difficult time. Eric was quite possibly the most intelligent individual I have ever personally known. He cared so much about others, and had not ounce of self loathing or sense of knowing he was more accomplished or better than anyone else. Eric knew he was "fameous", but didn't act as if he was. He was always the normal, outgoing, down-to-earth individual he always was. I'm sad to see him go, because I loved him like a brother. I constantly think to myself, why Eric. Anyone but Eric. I constantly think to myself why such a wonderful person. Why do such horrible things happen to such great people. Eric was a fighter all the way to the end. Questions and memories swarm my mind, and they will for the rest of my life. I will talk more in the coming days, but like Amos and the rest I am exhausted and in a lack of words. With a broken and saddened heart I say I love you buddy, and I'll see you roaming the plains again one day.

 

[Chris Hayes]

While only having the pleasure of chasing with him on one occasion, I'm very saddened to hear about his death. He was a very good storm "observer" and his contribution to the storm chasing community will surely be missed.

 

[Paul Stofer]

Sitting at Frys Electronics. He loved that place.

Getting ready to deploy a sounding.

 

[Gerrit Gulden]

Eric Nguyen will be greatly missed. My prayers go out to his Family and friends.

Eric was my inspiration to start weather photography. Like many others, I would check his website daily for updates of recently chased storms. I do hope that his website will remain online as a Tribute. I would gladly Donate money as well to have this happen.

take care...

-gerrit

 

[Gabe Garfield]

I want to extend my deepest condolences to Eric's family, Amos, Scott C., Scott B., Bob F. and all of you who have stuck so closely to Eric during his life. I want to let you know that you all are constantly in my thoughts and prayers.

I've known Eric personally since 2004, and I've kept up with his chase accounts and photography for much longer. I've had the great privilege of sharing a number of conversations with Eric, including a particularly good one a month and a half ago when he visited the National Weather Center. He has always been very friendly, and even though I was a somewhat-newbie chaser when we met, he never was condescending toward me. More than anything, I'll remember his smile (which I don't ever recall leaving his face).

Eric will always be remembered as a brilliant chaser and photographer. More importantly, though, Eric will be remembered as a wonderful human being who really cared about other people. Rarely is such talent juxtaposed with such kindness, which makes our loss that much more profound. Eric will be sorely missed.

Gabe

 

[Bobby Eddins]

Our heart felt sympathies go out to Eric's family and especially Amos. Prayers still go out for strength and peace and understanding.

 

[Scott Blair]

In the photo below: Happiness after several tornadoes observed, including the Hill City Tornado, on 9 June 2005. This was Eric Nguyen.

Today signifies the passing of one of the greatest individuals I’ve had the pleasure to encounter. Eric Nguyen meant the world to me and his closest friends. We first conversed together in June 1998 and continued to develop a lifelong friendship. Perhaps unknown to him, he served as one of the most important motivating individuals in my life throughout the past 10 years. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to chase with him in excess of 50 times over the years, and it was without a doubt some of the best times of my life.

I’ll forever miss quoting movies of DOTD and Cast Away, launching helium balloons or playing with bouncy balls for no apparent reason, and chatting all-the-while dreaming together of innovative ideas and storm seasons to come. I’m also grateful he was such a close friend on a personal level. My mother will always treasure being escorted by Eric down the aisle on my wedding day.

Eric was the epitome of respectable storm observing; always kind, level-headed, gentlemen-like, and with a purpose. His passion, understanding, and respect for severe weather were unparalleled to any other chaser of his generation. Eric’s demeanor and humor were infectious and his photography was beyond inspiring to all parts of the world. His intellect, contributions, and positive influence in the realm of storm chasing and mesoscale meteorology will assuredly be appreciated and will motivate others for years to come.

You have left this life, and I don't know why. But I welcome the opportunity of annual companionship that undoubtedly lies ahead. Because the wind will forever whisper your words and laughter to those that listen. And the rusty windmill will wave a soothing acknowledgment of your presence. You will be witnessed over the unending green fields, capped by a condensation canopy of your liking. We know where to find you. You will never leave us, and we will never leave you. Goodbye my friend, until we meet again.

Scott Blair

 

[Robin Tanamachi]

I had the pleasure of meeting Eric several times while chasing on the Plains and at chaser get-togethers. He was an exemplary storm chaser and consistently practiced good chase etiquette. I enjoyed his infectious enthusiasm for the hobby, and the spectacular images that came out of his cameras year after year. The storm chasing community is poorer for his absence.

Despite my expecting this news, it still hit me like a jolt of electricity. I simply cannot imagine what Eric's family and friends are experiencing right now. I extend my deepest sympathies to all of them.

Thank you, Amos, for keeping us all informed about Eric's final days. The level of devotion you've shown to Eric throughout this ordeal has been exemplary.

 

[david diehl]

I have to echo Kurts words, I will miss him greatly, I may have only chased with him once, but once is all it takes,again, I will miss him

 

[Bob Hartig]

I got wind of the events with Eric, including his passing, only within the last half hour. I logged onto Stormtrack maybe fifteen minutes ago and started reading this thread from the beginning. The many responses are a tribute to just how many people in the storm chasing communicty have in one way or another been touched by Eric.

I never met Eric, but I've read many of his posts, viewed many of his photos, and recognized him as not merely a man of tremendous talent and expertise, but of great passion. I feel terribly, terribly sad. I am so sorry for those of you who knew Eric well--for family, friends, fellow chasers, and all who loved him. My prayers are with you.

 

[Joey Ketcham]

I am sadden by the news of Eric's passing, my sympathies goes out to Eric's family and friends as well as to everyone in the chase community who gotten to know Eric over the years.