It was with sadness that several hundred members of the skateboarding world gathered today (Saturday, November 14, 2009) in the parking lot behind Transworld Media’s Carlsbad, California offices to remember the life of Transworld Skateboarding editor Eric Stricker.
The crowd, made up of ams, pros, co-workers and industry titans, hung out, skated, and drank Coors Light. It seemed everyone was there. While talking with friends we kept thinking we saw Eric in the crowd. We’d catch a glimpse of a jersey, some crisp 501s, and a New Era and think it was Eric. And then it hit us all over again. Eric is gone. He should have been there and would have if he was still here. But he’s not.
In a short statement Eric’s widow Arnette said that she would have enjoyed seeing Eric’s smile on the way home from today’s gathering because it was exactly the kind of thing that he loved: a huge group of friends getting together to hangout and skateboard.
In his memory the crowd raised Coors Lights and sang along to Eric’s favorite song, Journey’s Don’t Stop Believin’. Eric was 31 years old. He left too early and took way too much with him.
i met Eric 4 years ago when i started at TW. Being the new kid in town he was the first to invite me to a BBQ during my first week. My first impression of Eric (besides wow this guy has a ton of amazing shoes!) was that he was genuinely kind and was never fake or to cool, he was a down to earth real person. He will be missed but remembered by all!
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