from kip and marilyn

(Andree here) I'm a bit tardy publishing this tribute but I'd love for you to read what Kip Baldwin and Marilyn Hillman say about E.

Dreams, ideas, passion, a spirit larger than life. I truly believe ERIK'S existence had already moved beyond this physical world. ERIK hung around with us who are still caught up in this mortal toil, due to the fact he loved us all too much to let go. Infinity said, "ERIK it is time to move on we are in need of your designs".

ERIK is here and everywhere! ERIK is and always will be! And here's to mead and pickled eggs!

All our love,Kip & Marilyn

see e, hear e

(Andree here) Sean found some YouTube of E doing an interview. Wow! What a precious find.


Although it kind of hurts, too, to be honest.

e in the tropics

(Andree here) Sean met up with E and our cousins Adam and Suzanne Moilanen on a trip to Singapore not so long ago. . . although right about now it seems like a century. Anyhow, I thought you all might like them.

I don't even want to start guessing what he's thinking here. Captioning contest anybody?

if you'd like to see it...

(Andree here) E's obituary was published in our Vancouver WA paper, The Columbian, on the 21st. (I was at Mom and Dad's, so haven't blogged as regularly.)

The page is here, if I link correctly(***EDIT: The Columbian changed their page publishing software at August's end, so we are madly trying to find the guestbook. Swell.)

Shortly: Pix from Sean of E enjoying some tropic time in Singapore.

bruce beck says

That Purdom glue is tenacious stuff and Erik applied it liberally. Only erik could take two men about to come to blows and have them drinking beer together within the hour. So as I am sitting there having a beer with the man whose face I wanted to bloody only moments ago a very content Erik sits there sipping a Bodingtons. Proud that he once again was able to control the situation with a healthy dose of that Purdom glue. And I'm just siting there thinking damn he did it to me again!!.

That was Erik's talent of bonding people together. Erik also had a penchant for collecting unique and eccentric people. for different and original perspectives were of great value and entertainment to him. Without Erik's fastidious application of fresh glue we will slowly drift into our individual paths. But I for one can tell you I will carry that glue until the day I die. Erik had many friends but to many Erik was their best friend.

An old memory of baby Lyric reaching up for me to carry her keeps playing in my head and it just tears me up every time.

Beck

from Lesa DeGagne

While I do remember Erik and his countless tools (lol) I also remember Erik being A Walking Thesaurus!
Like A Vocabulary Superhero (better than the PBS "Word Girl"). I love how he speaks.
He masterfully paired his tonal inflections with many equally expressive, animated, facial and physical gestures. Erik was Never A Bore To Listen To!
His voice and vocal inflections were unique. (though I remember hearing Hans speak from another room and w/out seeing him, their voices are similar. Guess he part shares this 'Gift'.) ...
One thing Erik and Nancy used to do when they brainstormed over a new product, or service, was to write a list of words they felt best captured its essence.
I joined in on their doing this on a few occasions. Was like a game.
Below is a list that best captures who Erik was (is)to me!
ERIk PURDOM :
- Multi Talented
- Creative Genius
- Mater Story Teller
- Boundless Energy (This man needed No 'Red Bull')
- Courageous
- Pillar of Strength
- Unpretentious (He liked this term and it suites his well. He wore it well! )
- Unaffected (another one)
- Mechanical Whiz
- 'Jack of All Trades'
- Woodsman/Outdoorsman
- Adventurous Explorer
- Peaceful
- Intuitive/ Insightful (Highly intelligent!)
- Tasteful
- Vocabulary Genius
- Life of any Party
- Adoring, Loving;
* Husband (LOVES his "Nancy Pants" as he often called her)
* Father
* Son
* Brother and
* Friend!!!
- Family Oriented (LOVEs his family and friends!)
- Great at All he did! Even if he did not at first succeed. He always Tried and with Greatness! Okay a word for this!??? I am not the thesaurus he is!...
- DO- er ! A Doer.... A+ for his endless efforts! He always Tried. Therefore never failed ;-0...
- Dependable
- High Spirited (Reason he made an awesome Cheerleader in his sch. days huh! Though he had other motives for cheering on his schools team;) )
- Charming!
- HYSTERICALLY Fun
- Passionate (most everything he did was Heartfelt)
- Thoughtful
- Generous
- Appreciative
- AN AMAZING EXAMPLE TO ALL...
- Greatly Respected. (His opinions and those of Nancy's were (ARE) greatly valued and sought out. Dean's blog posting clearly stated this and deeply moved me to tears! Rang such truth!)
- Trustworthy ...
These Are all Just Words. Erik, the man, is Much Greater Than Any Words Can Express...
Erik profoundly touched our lives. Mine and husband Joel's, over the years.
Blessed to have known him, to call him a friend and so thankful for all the lessons he (and Nancy) taught us.
He will continue to be a great example to us!
His amazing zest for life, passion to show the world to his children. What an Inspiration!
To teach to them see this world as it Really Is. Both, Broken and Beautiful!
He sees with such clarity. - Clairvoyant! and Yet Another word for 'The List'
- Teacher!!! (Have to add the word "Amazing" before "Teacher" To give it more Umph! - AMAZING TEACHER...
While I understand that the end of his suffering is a relief, many hearts ache over his physical departure.
To this- I'll quote "So Long, Farewell"... Till we meet again ;) ('The Sound Of Music')...
My kid, Olivia is dancing to our I Tune's that's blasting some cool Goody By Tunes. "Side to Side", is what Olivia is telling me to do and she's guiding my upper torso to sway, rhythmically. As I type, seated. "Dance!" She says...
I'll add- Yes. You Dance, in celebration of Erik's life while I finish using what words I have in attempt to express how important of a man he is in my life.
I was hopeful Oli would meet the Purdoms one day and that we'd all have a chance to re-connect. While in our new roles as parents. Evolving 'roles'...

THANK YOU ERIK for all the laughter, inspiration, support, and shared visions.
Thank you for being our friend.

Pelsue

(Andree here) As in the one, the only Dave Pelsue, E's oft coworker and constant friend from the world of SoCal shoe design. I promised you I'd post it man, and it's good. Here you all go.

* * *
Beyond my reflex upon hearing the news of his passing, I wanted to share something deeper, to express in some small way, what Erik meant to me. I’m still at a loss for words as he’s been on my mind even more now that he’s gone.

I’ll never forget his introduction after I started at LA Gear almost 17 years ago. As I watched all these strangers stroll in for a big meeting in the main conference room, my head in my hands, elbows on the table… this huge rebel Jeremiah Johnson of a guy with cool glasses, beard and pony tail thrusts out his hand with a smile… “Hello! I’m Erik, you must be one of the new designers we hired” following a brief intro reply, he leans forward and whispers “ You know, I’d watch those elbows, you never know who’s ASS has been there!”

That was the first of many to come over the next 4.5 years there, most spent working directly with him. At one point he was also my boss though that title doesn’t do the business end of the relationship justice. I never worked harder nor did I feel more rewarded. At work or play he was always an awesome friend. Like the multitude of others that caught his sharp wit, deep understanding and insightfulness, I will be forever grateful of the times we shared, sweating, and playing… He was a younger man than I but full of wisdom seemingly far beyond his years. He wasn’t bashful in his optimism with regard to any challenge or obstacle. That’s just one of many gifts be bestowed upon me… He was my mentor to footwear and I do my best to give unto other new designers as he gave to me. E was taken way too soon, but with eternity being a much longer episode than mortal life on Earth, can we really be surprised the team on the other side punched his clock???

Forever yours Erik, signed Blister Gelcoat

erik, listen up

Mom and Dad are talking to you -- sorry to cut in, Adam and Andrew . . .

FAREWELL AND GOD SPEED OUR WONDERFUL ERIK. WHEN WE SEE YOU AGAIN, WE WILL SMILE.....

MOM AND DAD

Good words from good friends

Andree here. I'd like to post a couple of the wonderful things E's friends are sending in as tribute. . . so many, and I will do my best to do you justice. I'll start with Andy (and Amy) Collen:

Erik is a unique spirit that I feel I have captured a small sparkle
within my own spirit.  At this moment I could only wish that I had
more time with him.  However I am a half full kind of person and so was Erik.
I hold a place in my heart for a great fire pit and I will never let that erg go.
Erik to me was a bright shiny object that gave me the power to move on through life.
It is only in the last few months that I have really began to realize how much
someone can influence you.  Erik was and still is a great spirit and
every once in a while I reach into that spirit.
So what little contact we had I must say that I cherish every minute
and will constantly revisit his spirit.  I am not a religious person but I do believe in spirit
and I know that Erik is with us all.  I am thankful for what little time I had with my big buddy.


Dreanna sent along a consoling verse from Mark Strand, Poet Laureate:

A Piece of the Storm
From the shadow of domes in the city of domes,  
A snowflake, a blizzard of one, weightless, entered your room
And made its way to the arm of the chair where you, looking up
From your book, saw it the moment it landed.  That's all
There was to it.  No more than a solemn waking
To brevity, to the lifting and falling away of attention, swiftly,
A time between times, a flowerless funeral.  No more than that
Except for the feeling that this piece of the storm,
Which turned into nothing before your eyes, would come back,
That someone years hence, sitting are you are now, might say:
"It's time.  The air is ready.  The sky has an opening."


And Chris Kuhr wants us to know of the effect E had on him:

I did not know Erik well, but worked with him on a few projects and he
definitely left his mark on me. He was such a positive, intelligent,
humorous, and genuine man. And because of this, I felt like I have known him
for much longer. I know I will miss him and try to keep his memory alive by
following some of the examples he has set in his life in my own. My heart
and prayers go out to his family and friends and hope that he makes as many
friends where ever he is now as he had when he was with us.
 He will truly be missed.

* * *

Yes.  He will that, friends.  Thank you for everything.

Erik was and is

(He's squinting into the sun here.)

Dear folks,

Andree here. All of you, all of us tried so hard, but Erik had other adventures to go after.

Erik left us at 7:22 am yesterday, after a brave fight but a peaceful passing. Nancy was with him, as were Mom and Dad (Terry and Donna); sister Brynn, brothers Sean and Hans, and myself; and Adam Baker, Andy Rotchford, Dean Paris, and Mike McGraw. He was home in Washougal.

These days you don't often get the privilege to send someone you love on their way on their terms. We had the chance to watch his face grow completely peaceful as he lay in bed, and hear birds sing and his hound dogs bark in the blue and golden morning. He's free now. And probably already putting together his next big thing.

Thank you, all of you, for the love, the support, the prayers, the emails. I mean to keep this blog going for a little while yet, so watch this space. It was my honor and privilege to do his for you, and I thank you for the support it has given me particularly.

Hi everybody

(Andree here) Hello all those who love E,
Please forgive me for not posting for so long. We were in a place where we were fighting hard for a couple of victories. Because we are positive folks, we want to dwell on that side of things. Yet the fight has become very intense, and I ask you all for your prayers.
Thank you again for your generous love and care, which we feel so completely in your emails and wonderful photos.

Tent Shirt

(Andree here) Marianne Kay wrote me this morning to send this photo along. Her message was such pure distillation-of-Erik that I must record it in its entirety:

Andree,
This is the tent that Erik built. (Were it not for him, the two people wearing the shirts might have been home in bed instead of selling goods from a tent at 6am on a field far from home. Thanks, Erik. We think.)
Please give him our love.
Marianne & Rick

That's okay, you two - someday he'll build you an even bigger tent. Hah!
He needs to get a little sleep though, first. He's got stuff on his mind. You think?
Will everybody reading this stop for a second, look at that photo of E over on the right there, and send him some slumber?
-- Oh you did? Good, thanks a lot!

Lovely ladies workin' the Shirt

(A here) Rowen and Mia, and then Rowen in what we'd like to think is the latest in hot skatewear (Heelywear??).

Guys, rocks and trees. . . Buncombe Hollow

(Andree here) The usual suspects (=Terry and Hans), with the addition of Bob, bitty little Ava, cousin Adam M, and the brutha from another mutha Andrew.

iamnotdeadyet gallery!

(Andree here) Jimmy Tsen works with Bob and E. Here he is rocking the Shirt, set off fetchingly by his exquisite baby girl.

Some photos

(Andree here) I'm happy to say the new email address accepts photos just fine. So here's a couple from auntie Heather on Nancy's side:

Lyric at Lake Merwin. Boy, what a refreshing looking lake!

Party time for Jaeger!