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Eric Von der Porten Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Eric Von der Porten
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Erik Wildt
December 2, 2009
Eric and I never met.
This morning, I read about Eric's actions in the book, "Blood on the Street".
This gave me a great deal of hope, and I set out to contact him. Instead, I found this Guest Book.
I am truly sorry - your loss is the country's loss.
Christine Barrett
April 1, 2009
Cathy,
We have just learned of this after talking with Michele and then you. After our lengthy discussion last night I am looking forward to our visit next week. You have been such a support in my family tragedies that I hope I can bring some comfort. Please know that Bill and I are most saddened by your family's loss, and Eric's unsuccessful battles over the past few years. What a bright light he has been in the 30 or so years I've known him since our lean and hopeful college days. That smile and warm self were so burdened...He has been on my mind since October...just in the back of my mind and I did not know how or when to call.
Jerry Sunkin
March 13, 2009
Cathy,
I'm very sorry to hear of your loss. All the best to you and yours.
Denise Mason
February 1, 2009
Dear Cathy,
When I saw you the other evening at Chamber Night at school, I had not heard this news about Eric. I am so sorry - I would have given you a big hug!
Ossama Hassanein
January 16, 2009
Dear Cathy:
Very saddened by the news of Eric passing. I recruited him and we worked closely together for four years at Berkeley International in San Francisco. He stood out amongst our analysts as the most independent and original thinker, the most expressive and articulate writer, the most innovative analytical mind, and the most straightforward respondent when asked (in an environment dominated by caution).
I also visited with you at your home in San Carlos. You were newly married and very much in love. After leaving Berkeley International in 1990, I never saw Eric. It’s astonishing that our offices are just five minutes away from each other! How can one not feel terribly disappointed for having not kept in touch? He was, and will be missed.
My wife and I would like to offer our condolences in person. Please call me at 650 580 9800.
Ossama
Barbara Kranz
January 14, 2009
To the entire Von der Porten Family,
We are so sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers are with you.
We met Eric's father and mother Edward and Saryl and brother Michael with family in Gainesville. Florida, at a joyous birthday celebration for Arnold von der Porten in 1998.
Sincerely,
Marvin and Barbara Kranz
Lois & Tom Daane
January 13, 2009
Dear Cathy and Family. We send our prayers and thoughts for all of you, today and in the time to come. Fondly, Lois and Tom Daane
Sharon Martinez
January 11, 2009
Though I never had the opportunity to meet Eric, my heart and prayers are with Cathy and the children. I am Cathy's second cousin in Fort Dodge, IA.
Christal Jensen
January 5, 2009
Kathy, Peter, and Laura,
I remember the first time I met Eric - It was at a school board meeting, and being relatively new to the San Carlos School District and the board meetings, I asked a question about the use of bond funds. Because this topic was not on the agenda for that meeting, I received no answer to my question, but Eric approached me after the meeting to very kindly explain why. Every interaction I had with him subsequently was similar. He was kind, respectful, intelligent, engaging and appreciative. I knew him best as a caring parent of Laura, but I also had a number of discussions with him about economic news, industry and general business. Thank you for the opportunity to learn more about him at the Carrington Hall memorial last Saturday. It was wonderful.
Sincerely,
Christal
Smith Family
January 3, 2009
To Cathy, Peter and Laura,
There are no words to express the loss we feel at the passing of Eric. We offer you our deepest regret and sorrow at his passing. Our hearts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Heidi Peltier
January 2, 2009
I am so saddened to hear of your loss. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Hooper Family
January 1, 2009
Cathy, Laura and Peter,
We are very sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Rhonda Taylor
December 31, 2008
Cathy, Over the years I have thought of you...mostly when I heard from Doug Silver on my birthday and when I met Dave Weiss for lunch also about once a year....and it was always good to catch up on your life from a distance. So when Doug called me two days ago and told me of Eric's passing I was so sad. As you navigate these unknown waters, I send love and hope. Much love to you and your children. Rhonda Taylor
Amy & Arnold Von der Porten
December 31, 2008
Cathy, Peter and Laura,
Everytime we had dealings with Eric, it was a great pleasure. Eric was always very helpful and offered to help our grandson, Paul. We have fond memories of our visits in CA and of Eric's visit to us in April of this year. We admired his success and his family.
Our hearts go out to you,
With Love,
Aunt Amy & Uncle Arnold & family.
Bob and Alison Lyon
December 29, 2008
Dear Cathy, Laura and Peter,
Our thoughts have been with you since we learned of Eric's passing. We feel fortunate to know you and to have been able to spend the time we did with Eric. He was a good man.
Nancy Melrose Klumb
December 29, 2008
Dear Cathy,
As you know, my heart and prayers are with you, Peter and Laura at this difficult time. May God bless you and your family as you gather to honor Eric's life. Clearly he will be missed by many, none more than you of course. I wish I could attend the service in person but I will be with you in spirit. May God comfort you and bring you peace.
Tim Stratton, Ph.D.
December 26, 2008
To the Von der Portens-
I am deeply saddened to hear of Eric's death. Eric and I were classmates at Santa Rosa High School for three years, and he was one of the smartest people I have ever known. I was pleased to hear of his life successes when we had a chance to visit during our 30-year high school reunion, which makes this loss even harder to accept.
My thoughts are with you all during this very difficult time.
David and Julia White
December 24, 2008
Our thoughts are with you and your extended family during this very difficult time. May peace be with all of you.
Mike Luders
December 22, 2008
Cathy, I just learned of the tragic passing of Eric. My deepest condolences go out to you and your family. I will never forget seeing Eric playing with Otto on the soccer field time and time again.
Please give Laura a hug for me and let her know she is in my thoughts as your family works through this difficult and unfortunate time. If there is anything I can do, please don't hesitate to ask.
My thoughts and prayers go out to you and yours....................Coach Mike
Janet, Patrick, Emily and Katie Hall/Wong
December 19, 2008
Cathy, Peter and Laura,
We are so sorry that we've lost Eric. I know that your family will feel his absence every day but it appears that there were literally hundreds of others who also will feel the loss. We have the most fond memories of him - playing amazing softball, grilling pineapple, making margaritas - that it's hard to believe that he's gone. We hope that you can find some peace this holiday season.
Joe Martin
December 17, 2008
Dear Cathy, Laura and Peter,
We were very saddened to learn of Eric's passing. Please accept our heartfelt condolences and know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Joe and Leigh Martin
La Ceiba, Honduras
Daniel Daiss
December 15, 2008
Dear Cathy and family,
I was deeply saddened to learn about Eric. He was intelligent, insightful, and thoughtful. Such a tragic loss. He and I shared many interests. As you know, he and I worked together for a number of years at Berkeley international---about the same time that you, Cathy, and my wife Nancy worked at Anderson Consulting. We both went on eventually begin our own investment funds and have compared notes over the years. You may recall that as recently as a year ago we looked for office space together. In the end, he decided to go his own way. Eric and I also shared an interest in public schools. While he was more involved in San Carlso than I was in the Sequoia High School District, we both worked to make the public school option more attractive.
Cathy, this must be a difficult time. Both Nancy and I extend our condolences. If there's anything we can do to help, please don't hesitate to ask. We understand there may be a service in January. We plan to attend.
Dan Daiss & Nancy Wilson
Linda Collery
December 13, 2008
Dear Cathy and family,
Eric was the first School Board member I met many years ago when my daughter had just entered kindergarten. My memory of that day is still vivid because of his friendliness and willingness to spend time with me, answering questions I had as a new parent to our district. He made me feel welcomed into our school district. I will always remember him coming to PTA meetings and his dedication to the School Board. He was exceptionally generous with his time to benefit the San Carlos community. I consider him an outstanding example of the willingness to give to others. I believe Eric and his legacy live on in all of our children as well as our community.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Linda Collery
Mark Veverka
December 12, 2008
Dear Cathy and family,
I'm so sorry. Eric and I used to talk for hours on the phone literally. I wrote many magazine columns based on his research, ideas and conviction.
He was as generous with his time as he was with his mind and heart. He was truly one of the finest men I have ever known. He was willing to speak out for what was right and willing to accept the consequences. Over time, I feel that I have grown to know you although we have never met as Eric and I would share stories about our children and families. Let it be said that Eric was a gentleman, a scholar and a good friend.
With deepest sympathy,
Mark Veverka
The Campbell Family
December 11, 2008
To our dear friends/neighbors Cathy, Peter and Laura, there are no words to express the loss we feel at the passing of our friend Eric. We are blessed to have known him and to have him be a part of our daily world. We love you and offer you our deepest regret and sorrow at his passing.
Anne Higginbotham
December 10, 2008
Cathy, Laura, and Peter-
I was shocked and saddened to hear of Eric's passing. He was the one school board member who always went out of his way to come over and say hi and ask how I was doing. I was just looking at some family photos of you in a song book I made when Laura was in my Kindergarten class. My heart goes out to all of you during this difficult time.
jean rosston
December 10, 2008
My dear Cathy, Peter and Laura,
Via our mothers, Cathy, the news has reached me too. My thoughts are with you and distantly with Eric. We have had such good connections for so many years. These memories bind us and I feel deeply for you, wishing you ever so sincerely some calm admidst the challenges you face. Eric was always the perfect gentleman, friend and good company whenever we managed to meet inspite of the distance that physically separates us. We have shared significant moments both in your home and mine.
my love and comfort ...
Jean
Carrie Du Bois
December 9, 2008
To Cathy, Peter and Laura,
The last time I talked to Eric was when I ran in to him at Longs Drug Store. When I saw him that day, I told him how much I missed working with him on the San Carlos Board of Trustees. Last week during the CSBA Conference in San Diego, I had many conversations with school board members who admired Eric's work. I'm so sad he is no longer with us. I considered him to be a colleague and a friend.
Theresa Valentic
December 9, 2008
Dear Cathy, Peter and Laura, Our thoughts and prayers are with you daily. We are very sad to hear about Eric's passing. I saw Eric many times as he went out to take Otto on walks. The two of them looked so noble together as they walked down the street. This memory of him is forever sketched in our minds. Theresa and Todd Valentic and Henry
Elisabeth Waymire
December 9, 2008
Dearest Von der Porten's,
I was so deeply saddened to hear of Eric's death. Eric was an inspiration to me, as I witnessed his tremendous generosity of time, energy, intellect and financial resources, time and time again to our community. I feel truly privileged to have known and learned from him. He will be deeply missed.
My thoughts are with all of you during this time of immeasurable loss.
Violet Brumm
December 9, 2008
I was so saddened to hear about Eric's passing. I am a former Technology Specialist at Arundel School, and he was so supportive of what I was doing. We have lost such a sincere man and a wonderful advocate for education. His family are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Leslie Dennis
December 9, 2008
Dearest Cathy, Peter and Laura,
We were so very fortunate to live across the street from such an amazing person like Eric. He was an inspiration to us all. He was more than our neighbor; he was our friend.
His kind and gentle ways were coupled with an incredible wit and intelligence that made him one of a kind.
We will forever miss him and his wonderful smile.
Leslie & Mark Dennis, Chantal and Bryce
Emily Chow
December 8, 2008
To the Von der Porten Family,
We are sorry for your loss. Words can not convey how saddened we are by his passing and how much he will be missed.
We honor his contributions to our community, schools and remember how many times he came to various events to support the kids. Your family always have been so supportive of our community.
We will always remember the kind person that he was and will not forget him.
We grieve too.
Peace - The Chows
Kelly Wycke Greenfield
December 8, 2008
I was sorry to hear about Eric's passing. He was a kind, caring and compassionate man. My thoughts and prayers go out to you Cathy, Peter and Laura.
December 8, 2008
We are all deeply saddened by the news. Cathy, Peter and Laura are in our thoughts. We will make a charitable donation in Eric's name. Tim, Kathleen, Caitlin & Julia
Dan Osborne
December 8, 2008
To The Von der Porten Family
I am greatly saddened to learn of Eric’s passing. I have known Eric professionally for over a decade. However, I have always considered him a personal friend much much more than a colleague. Eric’s honesty, intelligence, humor and sincere concern for his fellow man were unmatched.
Please accept my condolences for your loss. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
Sincerely,
Dan Osborne
Dan Raider
December 8, 2008
To Cathy and the rest of the Von der Porten family:
You do not need someone who is virtually a stranger to you to tell you the following, but I will do so anyway.
Eric was a man of the highest integrity and intelligence. He managed to be diplomatic and gentlemanly under stressful circumstances, often when others were unable to match the quality of his conduct. He stood up for the right things, and did so in the right way.
It was a privilege and a pleasure to know him, and I will greatly miss the inspiration of his intellect and his character, and, even more, the warmth of his friendship. My heart goes out to all of you.
Sincerely,
Dan Raider
Elizabeth Ettari
December 7, 2008
To the Von der Porten family,
Eric was a kind, generous man. As a teacher at Arundel I appreciated his wonderful insight and thoughtful listening.
My heart goes our to you and your family during this difficult time.
Sincerely. Liz Ettari
Jayne Tinney
December 7, 2008
I was saddened to learn of Eric's passing. I work at Heather School in San Carlos. Eric always showed a special interest in the underdog, Heather School. He came to many of our school events and rooted us on! As a member of our school board I remember Eric always being fair, kind, and professional. I served as our Union President while Eric was the Board President. He impressed me with his gentle nature. He will be very missed. i am grateful for his selfless service to our children.
Kim Sherwood
December 7, 2008
Cathy, I'm so very sorry for your loss of Eric. It is difficult to find the words to share... You, Peter, Laura and the family have continually been in my thoughts and prayers since I heard the news. I very much enjoyed every opportunity I had to spend with Eric, he was a very special man in so many ways.
Love and Blessings, Kim and Penny
Clarence Chapman
December 7, 2008
Cathy,
Ann, Chuck, Meg and I are saddened to learn of Eric's death. Our sympathies and thoughts are with you, Peter & Laura at this difficult time.
The Bogardus Family
December 7, 2008
Dear Cathy, Peter & Laura,
We are all shocked and saddened to hear of Eric's passing. He was a fixture in San Carlos to be sure. We had the pleasure of knowing him through various school-related events and, of course, as ardent soccer parents. We will miss him.
Terry, Gary, Kellie, Derek & Jenna
Ellen Morrison
December 7, 2008
Dear Cathy, Peter & Laura,
Your family has been such an inspiration to ours and to all of us in the neighborhood. We are all lucky to have had Eric in our lives and we open both our hearts and our homes to you any time you feel the need to talk or to just be with someone.
Deepest affection,
Ellen, Ken & Mallory
Neptune Society of Northern California
December 6, 2008
Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.
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