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Wed Nov 12, 2008 12:33 pm

Hi everyone,

Sorry to cross-post to the "Sticky", the Split Beetle and the Oval Beetle lists but this is important. I just received a call from Tom Niedernhofer a few minutes ago to pass the word to me and his other friends that our buddy Erich Kircher passed away this morning at about 1 am from his illness. I have no other details or info about services as of yet, but I'm sure that the info will be passed around as the info is decided upon.

Please remember Erich, his wife Wendy and son Karsten in your thoughts and prayers. Erich was a long time VW enthusiast in our hobby, who along with his brother Martin and family has built, owned and driven many old VWs. He was always quick to assist and advise others and would do anything to help an enthusiast or beginner out. Erich and Wendy were also the most recent recipients of the Common Gear Societys' "Heros of Antique Volkswagening Award" which only a select handful of VW enthusiasts have ever been awarded for selfless contributions back to our hobby. That's just the kind of guy Erich was. He will obviously missed by his close friends as well as anyone who ever met him.

Kathryn and I love him and will always miss him and are thinking of Wendy, Karsten and Erichs' family. Rest in peace Erich!

Bill Bowman

Wed Nov 12, 2008 12:40 pm

That is so sad news.
My condolences to the family and to all who know him.
Erich, say hello to the creator of the Beetle and all other people that went to early to heaven.
Sad thing this happend. Damm to early man, way to early.

Peter.

Wed Nov 12, 2008 12:50 pm

Wow, I thought he was doing much better last time I read the threads...what a tough year for the VW community a few of the greats have been lost.

Wed Nov 12, 2008 1:41 pm

:cry:

I've been following Erich's story closely. My sister has just begun hospice for the same type of cancer. This is a horrible disease. I thought that it was going to devistate my family, my brother, nephew, mom......... but it really brought us together and made us appreciate every moment together. Tonight I'll drive my dub with Erich in my thoughts. :cry:

Wed Nov 12, 2008 2:08 pm

My mom called me with the bad news this morning, and it’s just now beginning to sink in. Many of you who didn’t have the pleasure of meeting Erich will never understand what a truly remarkable person he was. I’ve known Erich most of my life, and I can honestly say he was a genuinely kind person and an overwhelming huge asset to the VW community. Today is a very sad day for the hobby, for it has lost one of its greatest supporters.

Wendy and Martin, if you need anything at all you know my family is here for you.

Wed Nov 12, 2008 2:46 pm

I always enjoyed seeing Erich and sharing his enthusiam for VW's. I am very sad to hear this bad news. He was so upbeat with all recent posts. He will be missed. He was a good man.
Andy S. [/list]

Wed Nov 12, 2008 2:49 pm

terrible news. i thought he was going to beat it. i met him in bad camberg back in 95 ? 99? and spoke to him at local shows here in cali. like that song goes only the good die young. he will be missed by many. my heart goes out to his family. truly and great man . a sad day for vw . don't know how else to put it.

steve

Wed Nov 12, 2008 3:02 pm

Oh no! wow.. that hit like a ton of bricks... what an amazing guy.... really was great meeting him and Wendy at the Treffen.... the family will be in my prayers...

Wed Nov 12, 2008 3:44 pm

Let's use the dedicated thread at
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=275964