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Eric Koster Obituary
Born in North Haledon, N.J., son of the late Erich Willi and Johanna Konrad Koster, Eric was known as a master fabricator, engine builder, driver and innovator of motorsports. His career started at Gasoline Alley in Paterson, N.J. In 1983, he came to Clarks Summit to work at Kneisel's Speed Sport. As chief engineer, he was responsible for car and engine development. In 1999 Old Dominion University's Research Foundation hired Eric as its director of motorsports operations and marketing for the Langley Full Scale Tunnel at Langley Air Force Base, Va. Eric laid the foundation for ODU to build and operate a rolling road wind tunnel in Southside Virginia. He made significant contributions to the vision for and development of the Virginia Motorsport Technology Park, bringing university research to the commercial sector. Eric found his work with the ODU students extremely rewarding, as he shared his enthusiasm and passion for the motorsports industry. He improved the quality of so many lives and will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
He is survived by two daughters, Lynn Hiza and husband, Robert, Clarks Summit; and Marcee Kneisel Adams and husband, Ed, Charlotte, N.C.; two sisters, Helen Calcines and Jane Draeger, both of New Jersey; five grandchildren, Elena Kneisel Bush and fiancé, Michael O'Connor; David Hiza and wife, Joyce; Jason Hiza and wife, Jennifer; Ashley Kneisel Bush and Mitchell Kneisel Davis; six great-grandchildren, Abigail and Morgan Hiza, Zackary Scott, Zachary Hoover and Kayleigh Hiza and Lila Ann; a niece, Elena Calcines Klarberg; a nephew, Joaquin "Jack" Calcines; and three great-nephews.
The family would like to thank Lisa, Jessica and Kristy from Diakon Hospice for their compassionate care, and would also like to thank Aunt Ronnie for her loving care in the past two months.
Eric's dear friends are invited to share in the celebration of his life, Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Ramada Inn, Routes 6 & 11, Clarks Summit. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may go to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; or Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 34th Street and Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104.
Arrangements by Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home, 418 S. State St., Clarks Summit, PA.
For online condolences, visit www.lawrenceeyoung funeralhome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Eric Koster
Colin Britcher
August 13, 2010
All all-around great guy who enjoyed all of the many phases of his life in motorsports. He possessed a truly rare skill in being equally at home with both the "gear-heads" and the "air-heads". He leaves a hole at ODU that will be tough to fill.
Jimmy Johnson
August 12, 2010
My condolences to Eric's family
I drove a Kneisel house car, built by Eric. I won my 1997 championship at OCFS with that car, Eric also built the motor. He always helped me, it didn't matter to him if it was with a Troyer or a Bicknell. Just a GREAT guy and I will sure miss him. RIP Buddy!!
Eric, Ray White, Mike O'Hara in Indy
Ray White
August 12, 2010
I met Eric when he started his position at Old Dominion University (ODU) in Virginia. I had been working with ODU in helping them to obtain the right to utilize the NASA Wind Tunnel, in my role as an economic developer with the City of Hampton. Eric and I had traveled together on over 20 out-of-state/country trips to market the capabilites of the Wind Tunnels and attributes of the City of Hampton for business. We had attended together dozens of other meetings related to this marketing effort. Eric was a great teacher and I learned a great deal about the motorsports industry from him. In this area, he was my mentor. He was not only a business colleague but a great friend as well. I was indeed fortunate that during his final few months he took the time, even though he was not feeling good, to accept our invitations to cook out and talk about the good times we had together and the current racing issues within the industry. Eric loved his family, his friends and his work. I will miss my dear friend.
Marie Stahlman
August 12, 2010
My condolences to Eric's entire family. Eric was a kind gentle man that will be greatly missed. May God grant us peace.
Mike O'Hara
August 12, 2010
I have lost a dear friend. What started as a business relationship blossomed into one of my best and closest friendships. I have met know one that had a bigger heart than Eric. His dry sense and humor and wit were something to behold. His love of history and German food, particularly sausages, were like no other. He was one of the smartest people I have ever met. I will miss him dearly.
Pat Kelly
August 11, 2010
I din't know Eric long - just long enough to know that he was a quality person. He will be missed by his friends at Old Dominion University. My sympothy to his family at his passing
Bob Ash
August 11, 2010
Eric has left a permanent mark on the engineering program and our students here at Old Dominion University. His vision was contagious and has inspired us all to work toward achieving world class status with our motorsports engineering program, while assembling the necessary facilities and equipment to maintain it. People who can combine hands-on experience with deep technical insights are extremely rare--particularly when they can communicate with everyone from the corporate CEO to the greenest college student. We all were blessed to have worked with this truly amazing human being. His life was too short but his work will live on.
Tom Avenengo
August 11, 2010
With his passing, so much knowledge now leaves us. We, too, were fortunate to have known such a great person, and in my sons case, to have worke dfor him and learn just a little of what he knew. May he rest in peace!
Brennan Brothers 919
August 11, 2010
Eric was a great person and a great teacher. We were lucky enough to know and work with him through the years.
Dick Peck
August 11, 2010
Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.
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