In memory of...

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In memory of...

Page Type: Album

Page By: Luciano136

Created/Edited: Jun 13, 2006 / Aug 15, 2008

Object ID: 200156

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Page Score: 94.5% - 135 Votes

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This page is to remember fellow climbers and friends

I created this album to remember all summitpost members that are no longer with us. With this dedicated spot on the website, they will always stay in our memories and hearts.

Feel free to make any suggestions to improve this page. Thank you!

There's is also a related album with the number one pictures of fallen SP members, it can be found here

Also, if you are having problems attaching items, feel free to contact me.

Member image

The easiest way to add an image is to just use the 'add image' button under the 'contribute' section. As you can see, they will show up at the bottom of the page.

Profile links

This section would contain the links to all the user profiles.

Abhay Thatte and his story (photo)

Brennan Larson (photo)

Brian Massey (photo)

Ed Miller and a TR by tazz on his story (photo)

Jerry Cooke (photo) tragically died on Mt. Hood in December 2006

Kristian Wang (photo)

Lao Zhao Ziyung (photo)

Michael Reardon (photo)

Mikael Forsberg (photo)

tjalfi/Michal Belejcak (photo)

Patrick Wang and story (photo)

Patty Rambert (photo)

Rahel Maria Liu and her SP Profile (photo)

Ric DeVan tragically died in the Sierra Nevada near Mt. Goode on July 16th 2008 (last summit register entry). The SP community was touched by his loss. Related thread (photo). Link to Ric's Memorial Fund

Spencer Smith (photo)

Stefan Weber (kletterwebbi) (photo)

Tyler Antonio Monteleone (photo) and story

Walther Rosenthal (more info under 'A word you want to share') (photo)

Vitor Negrete (photo and story by Mountainfriend)

A word you want to share

Ric DeVan

A little anecdote on Ric...

In 2002 our nonprofit was involved in an effort to convert an old furniture warehouse into a technology center, which meant not only setting up computers but running wires and cabling, installing walls, doors, carpeting, and much more. My job was to focus on the technical needs, and I didn't have near the resources or staff to do everything that needed to be done. As usual, I looked for volunteers and interns to help. A call to numerous local schools resulted in several offers to help. Three people committed to the project. One was Ric DeVan.

Like many of the students who showed, Ric was changing careers. His background was construction but he'd decided computers would be a better fit for his future since construction was taking a toll on him physically. I'd run a school that catered to career-changers before and knew we would find at least a few motivated volunteers.

It was obvious to me right away that Ric wasn't a typical career-changer. He'd done his homework, he knew his stuff, and he had an unshakable confidence. He could have gone to work for pretty much any company looking for quality systems engineers at the time but he explained to me that that wasn't what he was looking for; getting a job was not part of Ric's mission.

In the following months, our friendship developed. We shared stories of our past, uncovered common interests, and talked about our futures. We were about the same age and were both settling into a peaceful place in our lives. Somehow, we'd come to know each other through this nonprofit business (which was still relatively new to both of us) and seemed to agree, in an unspoken way, that we would make something happen with it together.

As the community tech project evolved, I came to realize how dependent I'd become on Ric's construction expertise. Suddenly this volunteer was the backbone of the entire project. I hadn't planned in any way to deal with construction issues but many of them fell into my lap. Fortunately, I was able to lob them over to Ric, who was more than happy to take them on. Looking back, I'm positive Ric knew more than we did how much we would need him.

One day, during the build-out, I was trying to figure out how we were going to get a cable from our server rack up to an antenna on the roof. It was (is) an old building and there was no conduit or other easy way to route the cable. What processes are involved in punching a hole in the roof of the building you're leasing? With no construction experience, I had no idea. Do you need a permit? Are there power lines or other cables to be concerned with?

I mentioned to Ric what I needed to do. His response was, as usual, "let me take a look."

Next thing I knew we were on the roof figuring out where the cable was going to poke through. Ric spotted a metal pole and a large, round metal bell lying over in a corner of the roof. They were rusty and old and looked as though they'd been a part of some old alarm system that had long been replaced. Ric walked over and grabbed them then came back to where I was standing, a piece in each hand.

I looked at him and said, in a sideways and very concerned kind of way, "what are you going to do?" He kept his head down and didn't answer.

I backed up a little bit and watched in horror as he held the poll up high over the spot where the cable would come through. My eyes were wide open as the pole came crashing down onto the roof in a huge THUMP. I was in shock. Certainly someone would hear it downstairs and come up to investigate. After that the cops and the landlord would show up and the eviction process would start.

The pole slammed down again and again until it finally smashed through the roof and stuck there pointing up, at an angle, into the air. Ric looked over at me with a few breaths, a couple steps backwards, and a little bit of a smile � all in a kind of syncopation � and said "THAT�is how we build America".

I glanced at Ric in disbelief and we both started laughing. I couldn't help but look around and figure that we were in trouble of some kind, like a couple teenagers caught on the roof of a church. Then I noticed it was cloudy.

"What if it starts raining?"

We quickly ran down to the Home Depot to buy some roof goop to seal up the hole. When we got back we pulled the cable through, filled in the hole with the goop, put the bell piece around the top and sealed it with the goop, then mounted the antenna. The network was up the same day and stayed there, just like that, for four years.

- - -

Walter Rosenthal

A word from Clydascope:

Walter Rosenthal was a long time friend who perished this past spring
while working for the Mammoth Mountain Ski Patrol. The accident occurred
after a heavy snowstorm had buried a volcanic steam vent (fumerol) on the
mountain and the patrollers where fencing it off. Two of them broke
through the snow and fell about 20 feet into the hole created by the hot
gas.

Walter jumped into the hole in an attempt to rescue them but
unfortunately all three died due to the high concentration of gasses in the
hole. It was a huge tragedy in the area and has stunned the community.

Walter was a grand figure, had brilliant mind, an amazing athlete and a
friend above all others. He has numerous first ascents to his credit,
including big wall climbs in Yosemite Valley and the High Sierra of
California, as well a numerous first ski descents of serious lines. Walter
had been working as a scientist in the field of snow science & avalanche
control and was working towards a PHD with the National Science Foundation
and the University of California, Santa Barbara. He was not a member of
summitpost.

Images

Rahel Denkmal (Memorial) am...

Member Profile Photo

Hey Dog

Walter's Smile

Patty Rambert (in yellow)

[ View Gallery - 3 More Images ]

Comments

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Corax

Thanks

Voted 10/10

I had the same idea as you and I'm happy you put up a memorial page for those who're not among us anymore.

A thread about Rahel's death

I think this photo could be suitable for this page.

Posted Jun 13, 2006 2:57 pm


	Luciano136	Re: Thanks
	Hasn't voted	Thanks Corax! I was browsing for a suitable picture last night. That looks like a good one. Will try to put it up tonight.
		Posted Jun 13, 2006 4:29 pm

DudeThatMustHurt

Very Good Idea!

Hasn't voted

It's always sad to know we lose friends and members, Climbing is our lives and also what will bring some of our demise. It's great to remember those who helped make this site the best that it is and this page will be one that will be used (with sad rememberance) for decades to come.
My prayers and thoughts go out to every person (and their family)who has been lost to the mountains.

This is a great page and my hat goes off to you for your contribution.

Nicholas

Posted Jun 13, 2006 6:33 pm

jordansahls

More Info?

Voted 10/10

I don't know any of these people, but I would like to; maybe you could add a little excerpt about who they were and what they did. I would really like to learn more about them. Good page.

Jordan

Posted Jun 13, 2006 6:42 pm


	Luciano136	Re: More Info?
	Hasn't voted	When you click on the link to their user profile, you usually get some more background. Often they also have a link in there to their personal website. I'll try to add the names to the pics too.
		Posted Jun 14, 2006 4:59 pm

hiltrud.liu

Thanks

Voted 10/10

Thank you very much for your action!
Hiltrud Liu

Posted Jun 13, 2006 9:41 pm

PellucidWombat

Very Touching

Hasn't voted

This is definitely a page that is sorely needed on a site such as this - as a tribute to their love for the mountains and a reminder to us all about the risks and rewards of climbing. Let us never forget our climbing comrades.

Posted Jun 13, 2006 10:00 pm

Brian Jenkins

Some additions unfortunately

Voted 10/10

Here are some members who would be additions to your page.

Abhay Thatte died on Kings Mountain in Oregon. Link to story

Also, Patrick Wang died on Mt. Whitney's Mountaineer's Route.
Thread on it
Patrick Wang Fund

Posted Jun 16, 2006 7:13 pm


	Luciano136	Re: Some additions unfortunately
	Hasn't voted	Ouch! I'll try to add them this weekend. Will also try to make some other minor changes. Thanks for the info!
		Posted Jun 16, 2006 10:24 pm


	Brian Jenkins	Re: Some additions unfortunately
	Voted 10/10	Yeah, unfortunate to have any additions to your page but I think you are doing a good thing with the "In memory of". Take care.
		Posted Jun 17, 2006 2:12 am


	Luciano136	Re: Great Page
	Hasn't voted	Thanks to all of you for the nice comments! I just felt like SP HAD to have a page like that...
		Posted Oct 20, 2006 4:37 pm

T Sharp

In Memory

Voted 10/10

Luciano, thanks for this important page. I salute the Spirit of all those listed herein.

Posted Oct 29, 2006 4:57 am

klwagar

Wow

Voted 10/10

it is startling to see so many names. This is a wonderful idea. Thanks for doing it. It certainly makes me pause to consider all these people and the sport in general.

Posted Nov 7, 2006 8:47 pm

Zeddicus

Sobering.

Voted 10/10

A thoughtful addition. Thank you for making this page.

Posted Nov 9, 2006 10:43 am

Corax

Sad

Voted 10/10

Unfortunately, yet another climber/SP'er has to be added to this page.
Mikael Forsberg - Tovalova
http://www.summitpost.org/user_page.php?user_id=24977

Founder and owner of Himalaya.nu an expedition company specializing in trekking and climbing adventures in Nepal.
Killed by a fallin serac/avalanche on Ama Dablam.

Posted Nov 19, 2006 1:08 am


	Luciano136	Re: Sad
	Hasn't voted	So sorry to hear about that :( I will make sure Mikael will be added to the page...
		Posted Nov 20, 2006 5:23 pm


	Corax	Re: Sad
	Voted 10/10	Sorry to bother you again, but please attach Mikael's profile page photo to this page.
		Posted Nov 27, 2006 5:05 pm


	Luciano136	Re: Sad
	Hasn't voted	No problem Corax! I appreciate your message! Any comments to make this page better are very welcome!
		Posted Nov 28, 2006 4:51 am

schmid_th

Thanks!

Voted 10/10

I created a related album some time ago with the No.1 photos of fallen SP members. I linked your page to mine. If you get the information that unfortunately a SP members is fallen I would please you to give me an information that I can add the No.1 photo in great honour and respect to them. Maybe you could even make also a link to my page.
Thanks for your page and your help to keep these people in our mind and hearts.
Thomas

Posted Dec 20, 2006 1:29 pm


	Luciano136	Re: Thanks!
	Hasn't voted	Sure! I'll try to fix that when I have some time... Thanks!!
		Posted Dec 20, 2006 8:42 pm

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