RuMR Posted December 12, 2006 Share Posted December 12, 2006 For those of you who know him, apparently he has died. At smith...anyone have any details???? I can't believe this... I'd only known him for a year or so...but he was a character and a half...wtf...i remember the last time i talked to him we talked about our respective kids and what they thought of climbing... markd, you have any info???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryland_moore Posted December 12, 2006 Share Posted December 12, 2006 Is he 45 and from Corvallis? If so, there were some small blurbs in the Albany paper yesterday about a suicidal man there.....Bummer if it is him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuMR Posted December 12, 2006 Author Share Posted December 12, 2006 yes...that is him...fuck, this is horrible...he seemed pretty vibrant last spring... i saw a post on supertaco about him committing suicide...man, this sucks... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corvallisclimb Posted December 12, 2006 Share Posted December 12, 2006 Ya, someone posted on supertopo that he did infact commit suicide on Saturday out near Smith. The times I hung around him I definitely noticed his passion for climbing and top notch skill. My condolences to his wife, child, family and friends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweatinoutliquor Posted December 12, 2006 Share Posted December 12, 2006 please don't be the vern I know... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyf Posted December 12, 2006 Share Posted December 12, 2006 I was just thinking about Vern last week. We climbed together a bit 6 years ago or so when he was teaching at Whitman. He was making regular trips from Walla Walla to the Tieton. We lost touch until last year, when we traded emails again. We talked about getting together to climb, but it never happened. I was going to make it a point to hook up in '07, hoping to tap into his infectious enthusiasm. My heart goes out to his family, especially his young son. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparverius Posted December 12, 2006 Share Posted December 12, 2006 this is an awful day for climbers in Oregon. Vern was one of the most passionate climbers I've ever met. Talented and driven as well. May peace be with his wife and young son. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Checat Posted December 12, 2006 Share Posted December 12, 2006 This is horrible. He brought an energy to the Oregon rock-climbing community that can never be replaced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matopis Posted December 12, 2006 Share Posted December 12, 2006 This is all I could find - Sad Business. I haven't seen any firm confirmation that it is actually Vern though. http://www.democratherald.com/articles/2006/12/10/news/local/1loc_07briefs.txt In brief: Corvallis man found dead near Smith Rock SMITH ROCK — Oregon State Police on Saturday found the body of a 45-year-old man from Corvallis near Smith Rock in Central Oregon. The police were searching the area after being told by Corvallis police that the man was suicidal and had been headed for the Smith Rock area. Police did not identify the man and said they had no more information to release. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markd Posted December 12, 2006 Share Posted December 12, 2006 what sad news... and unfortunately true. vern was an outstanding person with the motivation of 10 men. his endless energy and drive will be missed by many. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raindawg Posted December 13, 2006 Share Posted December 13, 2006 Sad! A really sharp fellow: Ph.D. in biology. I remember when he taught at PLU in the Division of Natural Sciences...I knew his lovely wife, Tara...The man was intense and beyond enthusiastic about life and climbing. I can't imagine what might lead to such tragedy. Very sorry to hear about this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Figger_Eight Posted December 13, 2006 Share Posted December 13, 2006 Damn - that is sad. Those were good times sitting around the campfire at the Grasslands with that guy back in those days. You guys are right, he was full of energy and life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skyclimb Posted December 21, 2006 Share Posted December 21, 2006 This is a tragic event for the climbing community to lose someone as energetic and enthusiastic about our sport. Vern Will be missed...My condolences go out to Tara and their child. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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