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Erica Van Acker
Erica Van Acker
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Erica Van Acker Obituary
In 1971, Erica Van Acker was the subject of "No Tears for Rachel," a public television documentary about a woman who had been raped -- how she was treated and how she responded. It was Ms. Van Acker's story, without her name.
Ms. Van Acker, 62, had an English mother and a French father. She was born in Manhattan but spent much of her childhood in Europe. Despite schooling in drama, she turned to business when she returned to the United States in the 1960's.
She worked for the Off-Track Betting Corporation, Citibank and Aon Consulting in the trade center. Along the way, she also had her own human resources consulting firm, called VASA, and started a restaurant staffed entirely by women, the Station Bistro, in Water Mill on Long Island. She had homes in Manhattan and Sag Harbor, N.Y.
"She was a self-made person who had to overcome a lot to get where she got," said Susan Thompson, a friend since the 1970's.
"People were Erica's bottom line, always, and that was reflected in all of her projects," Ms. Thompson added. "Whether her task was to introduce automated systems to parimutuels at the racetrack or to create workshops for middle managers in crises, her goal was to reach each individual to help them adapt — and she succeeded beautifully."
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9/11 Memorial NYC
Erica
August 3, 2023
9/11 Memorial in NYC
frank setteducati
September 11, 2020
Often in my thoughts- today especially...19 years later.
Sarah McDermott
September 11, 2012
Never forgotten.
September 9, 2012
Another anniversary Ricky and you are not forgotten. Some of your school friends from Marist Convent days recently held a re-union and you were in their thoughts. RIP & remembering you especially 9/11/2012
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john dee
February 8, 2012
Rest in Peace dear, I have so many happy memories of our short courtship in Paignton 1953. i have a lasting memory with your entry of the song Too Young which you wrote in my autograph book.
take care......john dee (Gloucester UK)
Holly Sierra
September 11, 2011
I write this for Ricky Van Acker (for that is how we knew her then) She was, for a time, a co-worker of my father’s, James R. Murphy, Artist’s Representative, when he worked at Frank H. Koste and Associates in Manhattan. My father spoke of you often and remarked at how charming, humorous and fun you were and how lovely your flawless British accent was...I remember back in the early 60’s, although I was very young at the time, that you came to dinner at our apartment one evening. I thought you were wonderful and great fun. I recall you visited my bedroom and we discussed my dolls! (You even asked why one was 'without clothing' and we laughed) You were very nice to me and I wish I had been older and we might have been friends. So sorry that you lost your life in this way but I know your spirit lives on over the twinkling lights of Manhattan...
T B
September 8, 2011
You know, you CANNOT kill a spirit like hers. i swear as I was reading this I heard a whisper in my head saying,"shouldnt you be working?!" lol!
God bless all who mourn for they will be comforted, I hope that is not an empty promise!
Marie McCarthy.
September 11, 2010
I knew Erica(she was called Ricky then)when she was a pupil at the Marist Convent independant boarding school in Paignton,Devon in the UK.She was a formidable character at school and was involved in drama,and elocution.I was so sad to hear of her passing..RIP Ricky xx
Vanessa Beasley
April 29, 2009
I really miss my friend. She had taught me so much when I was going through growing pains. She always understood me, always protected me from myself. I had not seen her since 1976, but I still feel her in my heart and the things that she had taught me.
Vanessa Vanterpool Wms. Beasley (OTB)'71-'76
P Tabbernor
April 8, 2007
In memory....
Elaine Leshnower
September 11, 2006
It is now five years later and you are missed and thought of so often, Erica. We met during our OTB years and I so admired you as a person and a friend. On 9/11/01 I felt awful for our country but the following year, when I learned that you were a victim, the pain was much worse. It became personal.
Rest in peace, dear Erica. You will never be forgotten.
barbara duncan
August 4, 2004
Michael Whelan's heartfelt tribute brought Erica back to life for me--especially "Hello Love." We had some great times in the late 70s in the Village, then lost touch when i moved to California. But i have clear memories of that stirling voice, the laughing and piercingly intelligent eyes, and the humanitarianism noted by other tributes. i remember teasing her that she was the female version of Alistair Cooke, always noting the idiosyncrasies of both Brits & Americans.....almost the third anniversary...hoist a glass..
Mary Haldi
February 5, 2003
Erica Van Acker - "Ricky" - Words cannot express how sad I was to read that you were among the victims of the World Trade Center. Although we had not seen each other for many years I always remembered you. We had some good times in the 60s. May you rest in peace.
Cara Conticello-Miller
September 24, 2002
Perhaps you never knew how profoundly you touched the lives of those who knew you or your work.
Perhaps some of those people never even realizd the impact of your life on them.
But you can rest assured that your days on this earth were not in vain.
The impact of your loss reverberates throughout the silky fibers of your life to ends unknown, as did the influence of your life.
So you can rest. Assured. Rest.
In peace.
James & Mary Whelan
September 19, 2002
Her charming smile and attitude, her cheery bright Hello
She was the kind of person we were proud to know.
Her skill and confidence in doing things whether big or small
Endeared her to her clients. They loved her one and all.
I cannot image Dear Erica being spoken of as dead,
But relocated to heaven...Just gone ahead.
We will always miss her. She will be spoken of in prayer
And hope that part of our eternal reward will be to join her there
Judith Barrett
September 13, 2002
Miss your voice (those beautifully rounded vowels)and your many kindnesses. You've always been special and you always will be.
Katherine Hoffman
September 11, 2002
For Erica- Although it was many years ago that I knew you, your kind and generous spirit was imprinted on many, including me. I still cannot quite fathom the tragedy of your's and others' deaths a year ago. This is a tribute to your on-going spirit.
Michael Whelan
September 9, 2002
For Erica, on the First Anniversary of September 11
‘HELLO, LOVE”
Slowly since that sad September day
Our discourse of her
Has, like the trees of that fateful autumn,
Begun the necessary modulation.
The warm immediacy of “Is” and “Will Be”
Gives way reluctantly
to the dream distances of “Was ”
and “Would have been.”
So does the soul who stays behind first navigate
The mystery of the parting of
the Friend.
But I would argue that “Is” and “Will Be”
Must not be put to rest.
I share the awe of those who look into the dying of the light
And see the light burn on.
Heart, not head, has here the deeper knowing.
Here now come "Is” and “Will Be”
Calling, heart-in-heart with Erica,
And she, become the wiser sister
Grown ahead of us, introduces to us
A deeper kind of “Is”
A subtler kind of “Will Be”—
A mystery way of Being
That twinkles like a firefly in the Heart
In sundry tired moments of our days.
Wherein she light a phantom cigarette
And in the intimate immediacy
Of the space forever emptied by her parting,
Speaks again, in Heart’s timelessness,
Her fond “Hello, Love.”
Her lovely “Hello, Honey.”
This now is how she “Is”
And “Will Be.”
Michael Whelan
Robert, Nancy Dustin and Laura Sutton
September 8, 2002
In memory of Erica Van Acker
We did not know Erica, but my husband is the brother of Cam Sutton who works for Aon. I came across this on the internet and wanted to express our deepest sympathy. I have thought of all the lives lost that day and especially of the ones from my brother-in-laws office and it still hurts deeply. Our deepest deepest sympathy to the family.
Nancy Sutton
Cathy Quinones
July 1, 2002
Erica,
We only new each other for a short time while working a Aon, your office was across the hall from mine
I remember always running into you at the farmers market early in the morning on Tuesdays and Thursdays, I want your family to know you have touched many lives while here and how you always had a kind word to say. May you rest in peace, I will remember you always, and pray for your kind soul, until we meet again.
Cathy Q.
Angie Campbell
May 31, 2002
I did not know you or anyone else who passed away on the morning of September 11, 2001. I am so sorry that so many people where killed out of hate on that morning. I will never forget what happened and even now I can not understand the kind of hate that could do something like this. May God Bless you and the family and friends that you left behind. Rest in his loving peace forever more!!!!!!!!!!
Jennie Campbell
May 18, 2002
My best friend at school and after and who is very much missed
May 16, 2002
NO MORE TEARS FOR ERIC VAN ACKER SHE IS IN A BETTER PLACE..REST IN PEACE...AMEN
May 16, 2002
MAY THE BEAUTIFUL SOUL OF ERICA VAN ACKER AND THE SOULS OF ALL THE FAITHFULLY DEPARTED THROUGH THE MERCY OF GOD REST IN PEACE AMEN.
May 16, 2002
DEAR GOD SHINE YOUR LIGHT ON THIS WONDERFUL WOMAN..ERICA VAN ACKER AND MAY HER SOUL REST IN PEACE WITH GOD AND HIS ANGELS..GOD BLESS HER LOVING FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.GOD BLESS AMERICA AND NEW YORK..MAY GOD AND HIS ANGELS GREET YOU AT THE GATES OF HEAVEN...AMEN
Tracy
March 29, 2002
I will be making a quilt square for the 9-11 Memorial Quilt in honor of Erica Van Acker. I hope to make something that represents her strength and honors her memory.
Mary & Tom Berry
January 16, 2002
We hadn't seen you in many years but hold many fond memories of good and fun times together. You, and your warm smile and hearty voice, will live on in our hearts
John Burkhill
January 2, 2002
I'm sorry we never linked up again.
Frank Setteducati
December 23, 2001
Gone but not forgotten! Your laugh and your stories and the sound of your voice will live on in all our hearts!
Teresa Jahn
December 7, 2001
Our hearts cry for you.
America Cries
We see your sorrow-
and our hearts cry....
We can not erase your pain
but you do not have to face the anguish alone-for we-
-the American people-
are beside you.
We so desperately want to have the touch that brings you comfort,
the strength that gives you courage,
and the words to lighten your spirits.
And when we are left speechless
may the silence of our nation weave love into your hearts
to ease your sorrow.
May you find healing through our nation's strength as we-
-the American people-
face this difficult time together. Our hearts are with you. Teresa Jahn
Dixon, IL
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