Erich John Wagar Memorial Fund Benefit - Patricks Caberet, Monday 12/13

[mzmolly]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Erich John Wagar Memorial Fund Benefit

ERICH JOHN WAGAR MEMORIAL FUND BENEFIT
Minneapolis, MN Nov 29th, 2004

Aerial photographer Erich John Wagar’s untimely death November 16th left behind wife Gretchen and 3-year-old son Max. Erich, of Brooklyn Park MN, died while BASE jumping in Somerset WI, as noted in the St Paul Pioneer Press, Minneapolis Star Tribune, and local television networks. Erich’s local community presents a benefit and silent auction Monday December 13th at 7:00pm at Patrick’s Cabaret in Minneapolis, open to all, children welcome. All proceeds will go to the Erich John Wagar Memorial Fund to directly assist Gretchen and Max.

Erich was the family’s sole wage earner; Gretchen has cared for Max as well as being active in the local parenting and birth support communities.

The goal of the Memorial Fund Benefit is to provide financial relief towards costs for Gretchen and Max as they face the upcoming holidays without a husband and father.

Admittance is open to all; suggested donation of $5.

Silent auction to be held from 7:00pm to 8:00pm; regional donors so far include Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, Motorwerks BMW, and D’Amico among many others.

Refreshments will include desserts and beverages for children and adults; donations for each are welcomed. Donations after the event may be made to the Erich Wagar Memorial Account at Wells Fargo Bank, 8041 Brooklyn Boulevard, Brooklyn Park, MN 55445, 763-493-1230.

For additional information feel free to PM me.

Erich John Wagar Memorial Fund Benefit
December 13th, 7:00pm
Patrick’s Cabaret, Minneapolis

It's a very worthy cause, hope some of you can make it! :hi: If not, spread the word. I know the silent auction includes some "high end" goods as well as affordable items. Something to fit every budget if you will.

[preciousdove]

1. Arrrgghhh!

It is only worthy because the wife and son are not responsible for the very irresponsible and wreckless way this man conducted himself.

He himself should spend some time in hell for the pain he caused his family so he could go thrill seeking. It was a totally selfish and self serving way he died.

And everthing possible should be done to discourage his friends from doing ths same by not making this man to be a brave hero.

There are people who risk their lives everyday for other people and all of us, soldiers, law enforcment, fireman and scientists on the cutting edge and others. Honoring this man belittles them.

[mzmolly]

2. OMG, what a pathetic remark.

He had the blessing of his wife to do what he loved. His wife is also a skydiver.

He was a very experienced jumper and unfortunately, inspite of that he hit a hill and passed away.

Honoring a man who loved his wife/child deeply, is NOT belittling shit. However: "The goal of the Memorial Fund Benefit is to provide financial relief towards costs for Gretchen and Max as they face the upcoming holidays without a husband and father."

I feel like I am reading FreeRepublic with comments like that! AARRRRGGGHH!

There is a son without a father and a WIDOWED mother struggling to support him. HONOR THEM!

[trotsky]

9. I don't think preciousdove's comments were out of line.

If you are the sole wage earner for your wife and very young son, it's not responsible at all to engage in a sport where you seriously risk your life.

Part of parenthood is dealing with the fact that you exist for someone else now - you no longer live life for yourself.

BASE jumping is illegal for a reason, is it not? Wasn't he breaking the law when he died?

Just like preciousdove, I feel very badly for his family who will struggle mightily. But I do not feel the need to honor someone who put his own adrenaline adventures ahead of a son who will now grow up without a father. He didn't die in a tragic unforseeable accident - he died in a way that was completely predictable for the type of thrills he chose to seek.

I will still send some money to the fund because his wife & son are the innocent victims here, but I'm glad I didn't see this post until after the memorial.

[mzmolly]

3. Here is some of what those "knew" him had to say:

http://tinyurl.com/3s4te

http://tinyurl.com/6gmhh

One of MANY such comments:

Eric ... will sorely be missed, What a loss. He had a presence like none other, those that new Wagar and his smile for even a short time would feel like they had known him for ages. I was certainly lucky to know him, and will cherish the laughs we had forever!"

[mzmolly]

4. Here is a video Erich made for those interested in gaining a better

understanding of the sport.

http://www.airsportsnetwork.com/

It takes a while to load, but it's worth a view.

Additionally, one can view movies here:

I'm terribly afraid of heights ... but I "understand" after watching these amazing videos.

www.skydivingmovies.com

Registration is required for the above link.

[katinmn]

5. thanks for letting us know

I would love to go and support the family. I know they are hurting right now. (And I love silent auctions) But Monday's are heavy homework days for us. Learned the hard way that if I'm not around Monday evening, it sets a bad tone for the whole week.

[mzmolly]

6. If you'd like you can contribute a small amount the the memorial fund

instead.

THANK YOU for your support.

[mzmolly]

7. .

[mzmolly]

8. I'm happy to report that the benefit was a great success.

:hi: