Vern S...

[RuMR]

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????

[ryland_moore]

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.

[RuMR]

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...

[corvallisclimb]

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.

[sweatinoutliquor]

please don't be the vern I know...

[andyf]

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.

[sparverius]

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.

[Checat]

This is horrible. He brought an energy to the Oregon rock-climbing community that can never be replaced.

 

 

[matopis]

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.

 

[markd]

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.

 

 

[Raindawg]

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.

[Figger_Eight]

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.

[skyclimb]

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.