Bill Hamilton
EF5
Totally stunned as well. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family in this trying time. May he live on through the people who loved him.
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Eric Nguyen
- Thread starter Amos Magliocco
- Start date
Jeremy Ludin
EF2
Wow, terrible news. He truly had some of the most awesome weather photos on the net. I never met him, but from stories by fellow chasers who did know him he will be missed.
Verne Carlson
EF5
Truly a sad day for the chasing community. Eric was a great guy. Always passionate about storms and a kindred spirit in the technical side he was always interested in the 'gadgets' of storm chasing. I think about the last time I talked to him as we were waiting for initiation in Valentine, NE this May and then we all raced up to the storm in the Badlands of SD.
I still get a kick out of Amos' comments on the Storms of 2006 May 5, 2006 Seminole, TX hail chapter as Eric is out collecting large hail with Amos and Tony. Amos says - "This is Eric in paradise, walking in a field of baseballs".
Today I'm sure he is in paradise once again collecting baseballs. Rest in peace my friend. We will never forget you.
Verne
I still get a kick out of Amos' comments on the Storms of 2006 May 5, 2006 Seminole, TX hail chapter as Eric is out collecting large hail with Amos and Tony. Amos says - "This is Eric in paradise, walking in a field of baseballs".
Today I'm sure he is in paradise once again collecting baseballs. Rest in peace my friend. We will never forget you.
Verne
Rocky Rascovich
EF4
I'm currently here in St. Paul MN. getting ready to see Rush... checked online to see how Eric was doing. ... All I can say is that I'm heart broken over what has happened. I never knew him well but he was and always will be a great inspiration to me. I will always remember his presence at my chaser picnics and seeing him out chasing in various places.
I can't fathom what Eric was going through in his last weeks. All I know is that I am no stranger to depression, I struggled with this long ago and I still need to keep it in check. I thank God for my family and friends and for you folks as well. This is what keeps me going through this maze called life. I'll be returning home late in the week. I hope to make any memorial service that may be planned.
My thoughts and prayers especially go out to the family and close friends like Amos and Scott B. If you ever need to talk, my cell number is below. I will return your call asap. Meanwhile... while I'll be mourning Eric's loss, I will more often be celebrating his life, and celebrating the legacy he has left behind... and an example for all of us to follow.
Peace from above
Rocky&family
Cell: 405-226-2996
I can't fathom what Eric was going through in his last weeks. All I know is that I am no stranger to depression, I struggled with this long ago and I still need to keep it in check. I thank God for my family and friends and for you folks as well. This is what keeps me going through this maze called life. I'll be returning home late in the week. I hope to make any memorial service that may be planned.
My thoughts and prayers especially go out to the family and close friends like Amos and Scott B. If you ever need to talk, my cell number is below. I will return your call asap. Meanwhile... while I'll be mourning Eric's loss, I will more often be celebrating his life, and celebrating the legacy he has left behind... and an example for all of us to follow.
Peace from above
Rocky&family
Cell: 405-226-2996
Simon Brewer
EF3
My condolences to Eric's family and friends; it's strange to think about heading out and not running into Eric on a dirt road in BFE on any given chaseday. Though Eric was 3 years older than I, he always seemed to have this child-like persona when we hung out, especially when it came to discussing meteorology.
My fondest memories of Eric Nguyen:
At a Pizza Hut in central Kansas on June 11, 2002(Eric loved eating at Pizza Hut after the chase, at least in 2002) after supercells had become outflow dominant forming an MCS a lightning bolt struck a telephone pole about 20 feet from us; we all ducked and ran inside as if ducking would somehow protect us and we all laughed about it for hours. I think we had met up with Scott Blair on that day, but can't really remember.
One of the many times we got tanked at the Vista Eric began stacking the shot glasses on top of the light fixture hanging over the Northeastern Corner booth. The waitress didn't like that too much at all.
Eric discussing 'spikey hail'; it made him giddy to discuss hail.
Getting kicked out of the Vista, because he punched out our friend Paul (trust me, it was hilarious, because they were both drunk and nothing was harmed).
Watching chase videos at that house on Brandywine Ave. in Norman.
Sometimes I would be out for a long run and I would pass by Eric's house on Brandywine and he would be in his garage working on a gadget and I'd stop to say hi, but instead end up hanging out with him for hours.
Even after Eric graduated and moved to Texas I would and still do pass by that house on Brandywine and immediately Eric enters my mind; to me that will always be 'Eric's house'.
I believe someone on here summed up Eric best for me; he always had a smile on his face.
Rest in peace Eric
My fondest memories of Eric Nguyen:
At a Pizza Hut in central Kansas on June 11, 2002(Eric loved eating at Pizza Hut after the chase, at least in 2002) after supercells had become outflow dominant forming an MCS a lightning bolt struck a telephone pole about 20 feet from us; we all ducked and ran inside as if ducking would somehow protect us and we all laughed about it for hours. I think we had met up with Scott Blair on that day, but can't really remember.
One of the many times we got tanked at the Vista Eric began stacking the shot glasses on top of the light fixture hanging over the Northeastern Corner booth. The waitress didn't like that too much at all.
Eric discussing 'spikey hail'; it made him giddy to discuss hail.
Getting kicked out of the Vista, because he punched out our friend Paul (trust me, it was hilarious, because they were both drunk and nothing was harmed).
Watching chase videos at that house on Brandywine Ave. in Norman.
Sometimes I would be out for a long run and I would pass by Eric's house on Brandywine and he would be in his garage working on a gadget and I'd stop to say hi, but instead end up hanging out with him for hours.
Even after Eric graduated and moved to Texas I would and still do pass by that house on Brandywine and immediately Eric enters my mind; to me that will always be 'Eric's house'.
I believe someone on here summed up Eric best for me; he always had a smile on his face.
Rest in peace Eric
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Amos Magliocco
EF5
Verne,
Thank you for reminding me of that quote. I'd forgotten, and today it really means a lot.
I need to address a few questions people have asked. About Eric's webpage: it will never go down for a minute. Not only will it remain as it is, but Robert Hall will help us to add dozens or more of Eric's slides over the next six months, images previously unseen unless you attended some of the small parties in the early 2000's when Eric brought a projector. These are fantastic pics, many of them, and it will be a revelation to see "new" work from a master artist.
A few of Eric's friends are hastily working to create a foundation in his name at OU, which will allow those who want to make a donation in his name to contibute to a cause Eric would treasure: the School of Meteorology and opportunities for young scientists. What we have in mind specifically is a scholarship. More details will be forthcoming soon about the nature of the scholarship and how people can donate.
We're also arranging a chaser gathering, likely to be held in Norman, perhaps in the next three to five weeks. Again, the people trying to make these things happen have only been a handful of hours away from Eric's side, and we're all tired and broken. But every post on this thead and others like it increases our sense of responsibility to a friend who was admired by so many.
As much as I knew about Eric and how much he accomplished in chasing, as a forecaster, tactician, programmer, photographer, and in other areas, what I didn't realize was the depth of affection for him from so many, surely his finest achievement. For me, it's like Eric's closest friends were standing around a campfire, in the full glow of the firelight. But we didn't know how far behind us the illumination stretched, nor did we see the play of light and shadow on those who were there. When the fire went out, we turned and saw hundreds of people standing with us. I knew a lot about my friend---his pepporoni pizzas with light sauce and his dependable one-liners---but I didn't know the reach of his personality and the resonance of his art. This I'm certain is the hallmark of greatness; and what I know for a fact is how lucky I was to have been his friend.
Good night, my brother. I'll see you on the plains.
AM
Thank you for reminding me of that quote. I'd forgotten, and today it really means a lot.
I need to address a few questions people have asked. About Eric's webpage: it will never go down for a minute. Not only will it remain as it is, but Robert Hall will help us to add dozens or more of Eric's slides over the next six months, images previously unseen unless you attended some of the small parties in the early 2000's when Eric brought a projector. These are fantastic pics, many of them, and it will be a revelation to see "new" work from a master artist.
A few of Eric's friends are hastily working to create a foundation in his name at OU, which will allow those who want to make a donation in his name to contibute to a cause Eric would treasure: the School of Meteorology and opportunities for young scientists. What we have in mind specifically is a scholarship. More details will be forthcoming soon about the nature of the scholarship and how people can donate.
We're also arranging a chaser gathering, likely to be held in Norman, perhaps in the next three to five weeks. Again, the people trying to make these things happen have only been a handful of hours away from Eric's side, and we're all tired and broken. But every post on this thead and others like it increases our sense of responsibility to a friend who was admired by so many.
As much as I knew about Eric and how much he accomplished in chasing, as a forecaster, tactician, programmer, photographer, and in other areas, what I didn't realize was the depth of affection for him from so many, surely his finest achievement. For me, it's like Eric's closest friends were standing around a campfire, in the full glow of the firelight. But we didn't know how far behind us the illumination stretched, nor did we see the play of light and shadow on those who were there. When the fire went out, we turned and saw hundreds of people standing with us. I knew a lot about my friend---his pepporoni pizzas with light sauce and his dependable one-liners---but I didn't know the reach of his personality and the resonance of his art. This I'm certain is the hallmark of greatness; and what I know for a fact is how lucky I was to have been his friend.
Good night, my brother. I'll see you on the plains.
AM
Bob Schafer
EF5
In early 2001, I was a chasing noob. I had chased a few times dating to 1999, but I knew no meteorology and no other chasers. I had just bought a computer and got online for my first time. Having found ST, I noticed a link for a "chatroom". "Chatroom"?? What's that?
With some trepidation, I clicked on it. There were two other people in the room. I only remember that one of the two names was Eric Nguyen because it struck me as an unusual name. Eric and I chatted for awhile, and it was immediately obvious that Eric was a pretty cool guy. The other person was idle. After that, I had no "fear" of chatting with other stormchasers in the chatroom, and I became a regular. I cannot begin to recount how much my life has been enhanced from those early chatroom days.
Rocky, I also have had my bouts with depression. It is an insidious, evil infliction, as we know.
God bless Eric and his family and all of us, his friends forever.
Bob
With some trepidation, I clicked on it. There were two other people in the room. I only remember that one of the two names was Eric Nguyen because it struck me as an unusual name. Eric and I chatted for awhile, and it was immediately obvious that Eric was a pretty cool guy. The other person was idle. After that, I had no "fear" of chatting with other stormchasers in the chatroom, and I became a regular. I cannot begin to recount how much my life has been enhanced from those early chatroom days.
Rocky, I also have had my bouts with depression. It is an insidious, evil infliction, as we know.
God bless Eric and his family and all of us, his friends forever.
Bob
Charley Kelly
EF0
I am extremely sadden and stunned at the news of Eric's passing. I was lost for words when I logged in last night to read the news. He was truly a great individual that I admired for his work and character. I had the great pleasure of meeting him at scott's gathering back in the 90s, and again out in the plains during the 2002 season. I also saw him and talked with him some when I saw him at places like TESSA. Its so sad to see someone like him leave this earth so early in life, but god seems to take those of great character, integrity, at such a early age. May god bless his family and friends during this time of mourning. The memory of eric will always live in the plains for eternity for friends, family , and everyone that was touched by eric.
Brett Adair
EF5
Wow.....this quite stunning. I never personally met Eric, but I was involved in some conversations with he and Paul Stofer. He seemed like a very intelligent and cool guy. Seemed like he meant alot to Paul too. I have viewed his work and he was quite a chaser, meteorologist, friend, and artist. He will be missed by many, but will never be forgotten especially when he is riding along with us all as we roam the plains. We will miss you brother.
Bob Fritchie
Before trying to convey my feelings for Eric, I’d first like to address everyone who has sent thoughts, prayers, and words to Eric, his family, and his friends. Throughout the ordeal, all of your kind words were discussed out loud and reflected upon by exactly those which needed the support. At times, many computers were up and running and we were all looking through your photos, reading your posts, and you were all made present in his room. I cannot tell you how much all of you lifted the spirits of his family when they saw the outpouring of support. Eric, his family, and his friends are all thankful to each of you.
Eric and I have been good friends since 2003, our junior year of our undergraduate degree in meteorology. I had known him prior, but only as an acquaintance and mostly through his remarkable chasing reputation. During our senior year, we quickly became very close friends and I had the great opportunity to work on some projects with him, including our capstone project on an undular bore (hydraulic jump) that was observed during the IHOP project. Over the years I had come to find his deep passion for the science of meteorology and extensive knowledge of measurement systems, in addition to his enthusiasm for “storm observing,†to be infectious. I was able to have conversations with him that in one sitting would bounce between the topics of relationships, to isentropic maps, to his most recent restaurant infatuation, to a storm he chased 5 years prior, to the dynamics problem set we were supposed to be working on while we were having this discussion.
In the field of storm chasing, I would agree with the many others that have made statements indicating that he was undoubtedly the best chaser of his generation. If I can some day model most of his chase ethics, forecast half as well as he could, and take photos that can invoke just a fraction of the emotions his do, I would consider myself lucky. As it stands, I am honored just to have had the opportunity to have known him, to have learned from him, and to call him my friend.
Gone are the days where I could call him and tell him to step outside as a nice outflow-induced hydraulic jump passes our town. Gone are the days where I could look forward to technical discussion on severe weather setups past and present. Gone are the days that I could call my old friend for advice with my job, or research, or anything else. I have a painful hole deep in me that I’m not sure I can ever fill again, and I know that I will ALWAYS miss him.
However, I am looking forward to the day that the pain is finally eclipsed by the powerful memories left in his wake. I know chasing will never be quite the same, but I also know that the wonderfully quirky sense of humor, the passion for anything weather, and the good times spent on the plains will always keep my good friend close to me as well as close to all of the others he has touched.
Eric, I am a better person because I knew you, and am truly honored to have called you my friend. I will miss you always, and will love you forever.
-Bob Fritchie
Eric and I have been good friends since 2003, our junior year of our undergraduate degree in meteorology. I had known him prior, but only as an acquaintance and mostly through his remarkable chasing reputation. During our senior year, we quickly became very close friends and I had the great opportunity to work on some projects with him, including our capstone project on an undular bore (hydraulic jump) that was observed during the IHOP project. Over the years I had come to find his deep passion for the science of meteorology and extensive knowledge of measurement systems, in addition to his enthusiasm for “storm observing,†to be infectious. I was able to have conversations with him that in one sitting would bounce between the topics of relationships, to isentropic maps, to his most recent restaurant infatuation, to a storm he chased 5 years prior, to the dynamics problem set we were supposed to be working on while we were having this discussion.
In the field of storm chasing, I would agree with the many others that have made statements indicating that he was undoubtedly the best chaser of his generation. If I can some day model most of his chase ethics, forecast half as well as he could, and take photos that can invoke just a fraction of the emotions his do, I would consider myself lucky. As it stands, I am honored just to have had the opportunity to have known him, to have learned from him, and to call him my friend.
Gone are the days where I could call him and tell him to step outside as a nice outflow-induced hydraulic jump passes our town. Gone are the days where I could look forward to technical discussion on severe weather setups past and present. Gone are the days that I could call my old friend for advice with my job, or research, or anything else. I have a painful hole deep in me that I’m not sure I can ever fill again, and I know that I will ALWAYS miss him.
However, I am looking forward to the day that the pain is finally eclipsed by the powerful memories left in his wake. I know chasing will never be quite the same, but I also know that the wonderfully quirky sense of humor, the passion for anything weather, and the good times spent on the plains will always keep my good friend close to me as well as close to all of the others he has touched.
Eric, I am a better person because I knew you, and am truly honored to have called you my friend. I will miss you always, and will love you forever.
-Bob Fritchie
Andrew Pritchard
EF5
You don't have to look far for examples of how Eric always put other people before himself.
Taken from the main page of his website:
Taken from the main page of his website:
Joey Ketcham
Jeff Miller
EF5
With respect
sebenste
EF1
Amos et al,
I never met Eric, but when I saw the Mulvane picture, I thought that was
one of the better tornado pics I had seen, and a chaser who I'd like to meet! The sunlit bottom half of the tornado, with the rainbow in the background, partially blocked by the building getting nailed in front of it, was spectacular. His pictures of that and the base of that supercell almost took you there. But it is truly sad that we won't have the gift of him in the future, or get the chance to meet him
My sympathies to you and may God Himself comfort you, his family, friends, and all who loved him.
I never met Eric, but when I saw the Mulvane picture, I thought that was
one of the better tornado pics I had seen, and a chaser who I'd like to meet! The sunlit bottom half of the tornado, with the rainbow in the background, partially blocked by the building getting nailed in front of it, was spectacular. His pictures of that and the base of that supercell almost took you there. But it is truly sad that we won't have the gift of him in the future, or get the chance to meet him
My sympathies to you and may God Himself comfort you, his family, friends, and all who loved him.
Bob Fritchie
The following are the thoughts of Rachael Sigler, a good friend of Eric:
-------------------------------------
I cannot say much more than what has already been written by so many, especially Bob, Amos, Scott B., and Scott C. This process has been made so much easier with the support of them all. All the kind words, pictures, stories, and memories of Eric that have been written here on Storm Track by everyone has helped so much as well. We have spent this past weekend keeping up with all your posts and reading them aloud to each other, including his family, in front of Eric. You could really feel the love that filled the room. It was all very moving.
Most of all I wanted to say that I know why I looked up to Eric and why I admired him. I knew he was well liked in the chase community and that he had a lot of chaser friends. What I did not know were all the people he has touched, inspired, and encouraged through his chase accounts, photography, emails, chats, etc. I had no idea he had so many followers. It is truly amazing and I just wanted to say thank you to everyone for all the kind words. It helped us all celebrate his life over the weekend in his presence.
I first met Eric in the spring of 2004 through Bob Fritchie. I started to get to know him over that spring break when we hung out at Bob’s and he made us watch all these old horror films including Return of the Living Dead, the original Dawn of the Dead, Night of the Living Dead, the Army of Darkness, and the Evil of Dead. We ate at Los Dos Amigos a lot that week which was his restaurant of choice. Over the next year we became good friends. He stopped seeing me as “Bob’s girlfriend” and treated me just like any one of his close friends. He helped me buy my first ham radio and antenna set up and was very excited and eager to install it in my car, always wanting to drill holes somewhere, which is classic Eric. I, like many others, was obviously taken back by Eric’s amazing photography. He made it seem so simple to take breathtaking pictures. As any beginner, my first year of storm chasing with my new SLR did not produce good results. I spent many nights chatting with him online about how to take better exposures. He never once said my photos were bad, even though I knew they were, and was always willing to give me advice. The next year I was finally able to capture some great pictures thanks to Eric’s guidance. I have also become interested in instrumentation thanks to Eric as well. I think I always had this geek part of me that needed some coaxing to come out. Hanging around Bob and Eric so much brought out some very geek things in me, and I enjoyed talking about instrumentation with them on so many occasions. I always enjoyed going over to Eric house to work on the chase cars and watching them BS and wire everything up.
Over the years Eric and I had become very close friends, and I am completely devastated by all this. I will miss the quirky smile he always has, the way he taps his fingers on his chin and lips when he has a good idea or thinks of something funny, the passion he has for storms, the friend I spent so many hours talking to online in the evening while doing my homework, the Los Dos runs so he could get his tamales and his 2 sopapillas, getting to meet up with him on chases and talking about the day, his white t-shirts and kaki shorts, and most of all, the jokes and sense of humor that he and Bob shared. I know that I have left off many more things that I will miss than what I just listed off that will come to be in the day, weeks, months, and years to come. There are so many good memories of Eric that I will always smile and laugh at. When hanging out with Eric, I was always sure to have a good time. I am so happy I had the opportunity to get to know him on a personal level. He has made an impression on me that I will never forget and I will always miss him.
Eric, I want you to know that I admire you more than you will ever know. I am so honored to have had you as a friend, and you have made a lasting impression on me in so many ways. I will miss you forever.
~Rachael Sigler
-------------------------------------
I cannot say much more than what has already been written by so many, especially Bob, Amos, Scott B., and Scott C. This process has been made so much easier with the support of them all. All the kind words, pictures, stories, and memories of Eric that have been written here on Storm Track by everyone has helped so much as well. We have spent this past weekend keeping up with all your posts and reading them aloud to each other, including his family, in front of Eric. You could really feel the love that filled the room. It was all very moving.
Most of all I wanted to say that I know why I looked up to Eric and why I admired him. I knew he was well liked in the chase community and that he had a lot of chaser friends. What I did not know were all the people he has touched, inspired, and encouraged through his chase accounts, photography, emails, chats, etc. I had no idea he had so many followers. It is truly amazing and I just wanted to say thank you to everyone for all the kind words. It helped us all celebrate his life over the weekend in his presence.
I first met Eric in the spring of 2004 through Bob Fritchie. I started to get to know him over that spring break when we hung out at Bob’s and he made us watch all these old horror films including Return of the Living Dead, the original Dawn of the Dead, Night of the Living Dead, the Army of Darkness, and the Evil of Dead. We ate at Los Dos Amigos a lot that week which was his restaurant of choice. Over the next year we became good friends. He stopped seeing me as “Bob’s girlfriend” and treated me just like any one of his close friends. He helped me buy my first ham radio and antenna set up and was very excited and eager to install it in my car, always wanting to drill holes somewhere, which is classic Eric. I, like many others, was obviously taken back by Eric’s amazing photography. He made it seem so simple to take breathtaking pictures. As any beginner, my first year of storm chasing with my new SLR did not produce good results. I spent many nights chatting with him online about how to take better exposures. He never once said my photos were bad, even though I knew they were, and was always willing to give me advice. The next year I was finally able to capture some great pictures thanks to Eric’s guidance. I have also become interested in instrumentation thanks to Eric as well. I think I always had this geek part of me that needed some coaxing to come out. Hanging around Bob and Eric so much brought out some very geek things in me, and I enjoyed talking about instrumentation with them on so many occasions. I always enjoyed going over to Eric house to work on the chase cars and watching them BS and wire everything up.
Over the years Eric and I had become very close friends, and I am completely devastated by all this. I will miss the quirky smile he always has, the way he taps his fingers on his chin and lips when he has a good idea or thinks of something funny, the passion he has for storms, the friend I spent so many hours talking to online in the evening while doing my homework, the Los Dos runs so he could get his tamales and his 2 sopapillas, getting to meet up with him on chases and talking about the day, his white t-shirts and kaki shorts, and most of all, the jokes and sense of humor that he and Bob shared. I know that I have left off many more things that I will miss than what I just listed off that will come to be in the day, weeks, months, and years to come. There are so many good memories of Eric that I will always smile and laugh at. When hanging out with Eric, I was always sure to have a good time. I am so happy I had the opportunity to get to know him on a personal level. He has made an impression on me that I will never forget and I will always miss him.
Eric, I want you to know that I admire you more than you will ever know. I am so honored to have had you as a friend, and you have made a lasting impression on me in so many ways. I will miss you forever.
~Rachael Sigler
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