TheSamba.com :: View topic - Erich Kircher needs your thoughts and prayers

Fri Nov 14, 2008 3:26 pm

Very sad news. I never met Eric or Wendy, but I can tell from everyones writings that Eric truly understood what this "hobby" is all about.
People not cars.
The best way we can all honor Eric's memory is to try and remember that. Life truly is too short. I'm sure Wendy will cherish all the great memories of the great times they spent together. My condolances to Wendy and their family members.
Alex

Fri Nov 14, 2008 3:46 pm

KdF1 wrote: Very sad news. I never met Eric or Wendy, but I can tell from everyones writings that Eric truly understood what this "hobby" is all about.
People not cars. .......
Alex

You don't know how true that is, or how well that sums up Erich, Alex.

I met him first in '01 when he came out to New England and drove one of Bill Collins' cars in the DKF fall cruise. He was passionate about his cars, and all vintage VWs, but people came first. Now that I think of it, anytime I met him, the first conversations were not about newly acquired cars, or hard to find part... but about people. What was new in our lives, our jobs, family etc.

From that perspective, at least for me, Erich is a role model that I will always remember....

Fri Nov 14, 2008 3:48 pm

^^ well said

sorry to hear about this, it sounds like the guy was pretty incredible.
my thoughts go out to his family and all his friends, its never easy.

Fri Nov 14, 2008 7:17 pm

So sorry to hear, my thoughts are out for all who knew Eric,

Fri Nov 14, 2008 8:37 pm

Wow I am truely shocked to hear this news. I have known Erich for around 20 years. The last time I saw him was the last Sac bugorama. He looked good and said he was feeling better. Truely a loss to the VW community, his family and all that knew him.
RIP Erich.

Bob

Mon Nov 17, 2008 7:29 pm

Thinking about you Erich..I really miss you man....Kyle mr rhd
I will be there on Saturday

Tue Nov 18, 2008 6:48 pm

Thoughts and prayers to Wendy, Karsten, Martin, and his parents. I too have known Erich for quite some time.
Just so weird, seeing Erich at the GGC meeting earlier this month and a week later he is no longer with us.
I too will be at the services this Saturday...will be caravaning with Ray Schubert starting from Mark Merrill's showroom at 10am.

Wed Nov 19, 2008 6:26 pm

If anyone would like to join our vintage VW caravan, we are planning to depart from my VW garage at 10AM next Saturday for the drive to Erichs memorial service in Petaluma. Planned route is probably 101 north to 380 then 280 then 19thAve to Golden Gate Bridge and then further north to Petaluma on 101. (no tolls in this direction!)
I have printed some pictures of Erich and his VW that we can tape in our side windows for anyone who would like to display them. I am also planning to have some OJ and donuts/bagels ready from 9:30 AM. I am checking out some lunch possibilities in Petaluma - even with some pauses along the way if needed, we should have time for a quick lunch before the 2PM service.
Shop address is 941 Linda Vista Ave, Mountain View, CA 94043 and is off of Shoreline exit of 101 in west (south) direction, then left on Terra Bella (Taco Bell) then right on Linda Vista.
Mark

Wed Nov 19, 2008 9:19 pm

We'll be there. Hope to see a lot of others in a show of strength for Erich. He deserves the recognition and will be smiling at us all. Great idea, Mark....................

Wed Nov 19, 2008 11:59 pm

I will be there in spirit...wish I could be there in person but it's not in the cards.

I will have a moment of silence behind the wheel of one of my VWs at 2pm.

Maybe those that cant be there can do the same thing wherever they are.

Thu Nov 20, 2008 6:19 am

I just found this photo in among some old files this morning. The date imprint on the back indicates "September 1989," meaning that Erich was 21 or so at the time of this shot. The VW chassis may be that of the blue '63 Sunroof that eventually went through superb restoration at Erich's skilled hands, and subsequent car show and magazine feature success.

Thu Nov 20, 2008 5:59 pm

Awesome picture....Kyle

Thu Nov 20, 2008 6:00 pm

Oldbug.com wrote: I will be there in spirit...wish I could be there in person but it's not in the cards.

I will have a moment of silence behind the wheel of one of my VWs at 2pm.

Maybe those that cant be there can do the same thing wherever they are.

That's a perfect idea Randy...very nice Kyle

Fri Nov 21, 2008 7:51 am

Stock Steve wrote: I just found this photo in among some old files this morning. The date imprint on the back indicates "September 1989," meaning that Erich was 21 or so at the time of this shot. The VW chassis may be that of the blue '63 Sunroof that eventually went through superb restoration at Erich's skilled hands, and subsequent car show and magazine feature success.

Love the mullet Erich! Will be thinking of you this Sat at 2p.

Fri Nov 21, 2008 7:55 pm

I burried a friend today who died suddenly Monday morning of a heart attack, he was 46. Left a wife & 3 kids, I do ok at funerals, until they sing amazing grace, then my allergies kick in. My heart goes out to all of you attending Erich's funeral, try to think of all the good times and don't forget the kleenex. For those of you fighting or know anyone fighting cancer, my girlfriend of 5 years found out 3 weeks ago that her 12 year old grandson, Connor, had a rare form of kidney cancer, they flew him to Denver, had surgery 2 days later to remove a kidney, they got all the cancer, although he will have chemo the next 6 months to be safe. He is back in Grand Junction Co., even went to school for a day. So, like Erich & Connor "Fight the good fight!"

Sat Nov 22, 2008 1:01 pm

As most know, Erich quickly drew respect 20 some odd years ago with his blue bug restoration. for years after, I would refer to the HVWs article with admiration because he proved that even a young person can commit to quality work. He is truly missed- and like many, I never met him- but have respected him for a long time. The hobby has lost a quality fellow. Sincerely, Brad

Sat Nov 22, 2008 10:48 pm

my65rhd wrote: Oldbug.com wrote: I will be there in spirit...wish I could be there in person but it's not in the cards.

I will have a moment of silence behind the wheel of one of my VWs at 2pm.

Maybe those that cant be there can do the same thing wherever they are.

That's a perfect idea Randy...very nice Kyle

This was an excellent idea Randy.. at 1:50PM I fired up the Split.... warmed it up and at 1:59 I got in and took a drive up to North Mountain Preserve... beautiful winding roads in the Mountain Desert Park here in Phoenix.... I drove around for a while.... enjoyed the view and the hum of the 25hp.. and all as a tribute to Erich.

Sat Nov 22, 2008 11:34 pm

I just went out in the shop and sat among the VWs at 2 and just meditated a bit. Thinking of Erich and his friendly demeanor and enthusiasm and his lovely family. I thanked God that I met him and then thanked him again that Im here on this earth today and all the amazing blessings that have been given to me.

After my moment of quiet...I went out and pushed my kids on the swingset and got a little choked up about Erich and his family... life is so fragile...you just never know if you will see tomorrow. I snapped out of the funk pretty quick and did my best to make my kids laugh good and hard.

Everybody out there... dont take life for granted...soak it all up and make the most of it. That's what Erich did, even towards the end. His strength to keep doing what he loved despite his illness will always inspire me.

I will continue to keep Wendy and Karsten in my prayers.
And Thanks Erich for being one of the true "good guys" in our scene...it was a pleasure knowing you.

Sun Nov 23, 2008 11:17 am

at 2:00... my wife and I took a long walk.... we talked of what was really important in our lives... and it basically comes down to enjoying each moment... and leaving everyone you meet a tad better than you found them.

This is what I'll remember most about Erich.

Sun Nov 23, 2008 5:31 pm

Oldbug.com wrote: I just went out in the shop and sat among the VWs at 2 and just meditated a bit. Thinking of Erich and his friendly demeanor and enthusiasm and his lovely family. I thanked God that I met him and then thanked him again that Im here on this earth today and all the amazing blessings that have been given to me.

After my moment of quiet...I went out and pushed my kids on the swingset and got a little choked up about Erich and his family... life is so fragile...you just never know if you will see tomorrow. I snapped out of the funk pretty quick and did my best to make my kids laugh good and hard.

Everybody out there... dont take life for granted...soak it all up and make the most of it. That's what Erich did, even towards the end. His strength to keep doing what he loved despite his illness will always inspire me.

I will continue to keep Wendy and Karsten in my prayers.
And Thanks Erich for being one of the true "good guys" in our scene...it was a pleasure knowing you.

Very well said and i am very proud to have you as a friend.