Eric Charles Studer

Eric Charles Studer of Laz Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico walked on from this life on (unironically) Groundhog Day - February 2, 2023 at the age of 65. Pancreatic disease took his life far too quickly and decades too soon.

Born in Worthington, Ohio, Eric was a charming spitfire from the start - a hilarious storyteller and passionate adventurer - embracing challenge or opportunity with the same determined spirit. After graduating from The Ohio State University with Bachelor of Science degrees in Marketing & Real Estate, Eric began what would be a successful and colorful career in marketing. He specialized in building the customer experience for brands including Holiday Inn, Red Roof Inn, Rent-A-Center and Motel 6, promoting entertainment destinations like Silver Springs and Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge and enhancing the personal branding of people including Valerie Thompson, "America's Queen of Speed", and Robert Swartz at Energica of New England. He also contributed his creative genius to several professional sports organizations, including the NFL, NHRA, PBA and ESPN, as well as writing scripts for wildlife "edutainment" shows.

Besides Cindy, his wife and soulmate of over 30 years, Eric's three great passions were animals and wildlife conservation (including his work with "Jungle" Jack Hanna and Jim Fowler), auto and motorcycle racing, and entertaining people with his rapier-sharp humor. With an irreverent wit akin to Lenny Bruce, one of his idols, he provoked both side-splitting snort laughter and eye-rolling groans - often during the same story. In person, on the phone, and even in his writing, Eric honored Lenny Bruce's words: "The role of a comedian is to make the audience laugh, at a minimum of once every fifteen seconds".

Eric's personality was bigger than life, as were the dreams he made reality with his wife. The first: purchasing Fairwinds Mountain Cottages in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, a collection of cabins and cottages spread across a magical 140-acres of woods, water and wildlife overlooking Beaver Lake. Over 11 years they successfully got the resort, with its 2 spring fed ponds, designated as a native bird and wildlife sanctuary by the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission, remodeled each of the 9 cottages into luxurious, themed cabins, rebranded the resort as The Retreat at Sky Ridge, and created Sky Ridge Pavilion, Eureka Springs' largest reception and event center - both (of course) celebrated as the "pet friendliest" in NW Arkansas. In 2020, they sold The Retreat to pursue their second dream: retirement in Mexico. After an unexpected and unfortunate 2-year delay due to Covid they finally arrived in La Paz in 2022 with 2 cats, 2 dogs and 4 turtles. Prior to his death, Eric and Cindy were in the process of renovating and enhancing their little ocean-view casa, prioritizing the building of the turtle habitats before moving on to more human comforts. That was Eric, making everyone, even the critters in his life, happy before himself.

Eric's quick mind, his self deprecating wit and instinctual connection with people and the world around him stimulated interest, engagement, and usually laughter everywhere he went. He always left you, eyes twinkling, with his characteristic sideways smile, wiggling eyebrows and a few cheeky comments. He'd want to be remembered just that way. Chances are he'll haunt many of you with bad jokes and old songs forever.

Eric was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Jeanann Studer and his sister, Julie Studer. He is survived by his wife, Cindy Magee Studer; his daughter Sara Nelson and husband Brian; his sisters Gayle Gadus, Elise Smith and their husbands Ron and Chris; his brother Steve Studer and wife Thelma; brother-in-law Terry Majchrzak; three grandchildren; and many beloved extended family members, as well as the countless people he befriended, mentored, tormented (with humor) and deeply loved. Lenny Bruce is known to have said, "There are never enough '"I Love Yous" and so it was with Eric. There should have been more time and more "I love yous" but Eric wouldn't want your sadness or regret. Instead, celebrate Eric's unstoppable passion for life, the joy and laughter he shared, the warmth of his big generous heart and the many shades and colors of his perfectly imperfect love for you all.

Eric was cremated and his ashes are with his wife. There is a celebration of life planned for May 6, 2023 in La Paz, Mexico. Condolences or communication can be emailed to memory@ericstuder.com.