Eric Vaughn Heimstadt

Eric Vaughn Heimstadt

Photograph (c) Arcata Eye. All rights reserved. Use of the photograph graciously permitted by Terrence McNally. www.arcataphoto.com

You see a man with his eyes set

His head on a bias like, his teeth acting like a mule

Well you know he’d just as well hang your guts on a fence post as say ‘great day in the morning’

Well he a gun fighter

Proud and feared of nothing

Because there ain’t nothing walk on this Earth he’s got to bow down to Not a man don’t tip his hat

Not a boy don’t know his name Ain’t no place he ain’t welcome

Because with a gun fighter around trouble just naturally stay away -Cat Ballou

Eric Vaughn Heimstadt, 60, was born on April 9, 1949 in Lansing, Michigan to Haline and Bud Heirnstadt. He passed away on April 17, 2009 surrounded by family and friends at his place of residence in Eureka, California from B-cell Lymphoma. Brother to Raymond Heimstadt and formerly married to Pamela Ann Sistrom; Eric is survived by girlfriend Laura Christine Benedict, and his daughter Dianna Lee Heimstadt.

Although Eric was born in Michigan, he lived most of his life in California. He loved the Golden State.

He graduated from North Hollywood High School, where he met Laura beginning a decades long friendship. Eric met and married Pamela and moved to Fortuna where his daughter Dianna was born. The family then moved to San Diego for 10 years until their return to Humboldt County in 1999. It was then that Eric started (and later sold) HPRC and in 2002, refined his vision of a Medical Cannabis dispensary with Humboldt Medical Supply.

The proud owner of Humboldt Medical Supply, LLC and a certified alcohol and drug addiction counselor (CADAC) has spent the past thirteen years of his life advocating sensible regulations and standards for legal medical cannabis production with a mission to consistently provide safe and affordable access for seriously ill patients to medicinal grade Cannabis. Compassion for the responsible patient remains the HMS motto. Humboldt Medical Supply will continue his good work and carry on his legacy.

Eric dedicated all of his personal drive and energy into the pursuit of the HMS, LLC mission to help patients in need. This passion was only superseded by his role as a father. He spoiled his beloved daughter with immense affection and Dianna will miss him terribly.

His accomplishments mirror his life motto, "My heart is pure, therefore, I have the strength of ten."

A devoted child rights activist, Eric believed that action always speaks louder than words. One of Eric’s most remarkable qualities was how much of his skill and learning was self-taught. Passionate; and with unforgettable presence, this hairdresser, skilled mountaineer, chess player, Rock music lover, computer guru, sushi connoisseur (as illustrated by his Signature sushi shirts), bIogger, and avid sci-fi fan seemingly led the lives of ten men.

He prided himself in his ability to overwhelm the overwhelming, to cleverly infiltrate cross-sections of our community in order to build bridges for common good, and to overcome all adversity. Eric’s diabolical persona and compassionate nature will remain legend for all who knew him.

Eric’s sense of community extended to support for many local groups, agencies and non profit organizations, including; HIVkids, AIDSLifeCycle, American Cancer Society Relay For Life, Miranda’s Rescue, The Kinetic Grand Championship, Queer Humboldt, North Star Quest Camp, Sequoia Humane Society, Humboldt Bay Maritime Museum, CASA of Humboldt. Humboldt Del Norte Consortium For Continuing Medical Education, The Northcoast Environmental Center, Patients Out of Time, Humboldt Baykeepers, Project No Spank, Timber Heritage Museum, Center Arts, McKinelyvilie High School Girls Basketball Team, NORML, Sequoia Park Zoo, Humboldt Literacy Project, Six Rivers Planned Parenthood, American Red Cross, Angels of Hope, The International Association for Cannabis as Medicine, Discovery Museum, Humboldt County Democratic Central Committee, Americans for Safe Access, Humboldt Arts Council, RCM· YSB Raven Project, Eureka Skate Park.

He was an active political donor and he and his staff worked many hours staffing phone banks during local campaigns.

A memorial will be held in his honor on May 30th at the Great Room in the Wharfinger Building, 1 Marina Way, Eureka starting at 2:15 P.M.

In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Humboldt County Chapter of Americans for Safe Access, PO Box 6373, Eureka, CA 95502, or to the Humboldt Medical Supply 2009 Relay for Life Team # 56 at PO Box 4629, Arcata, CA 95518.

Please sign the guestbook at www.times-standard.com, click on obituaries.