Eric Nguyen

[Amos Magliocco]

I'm sorry to pass along that Eric Nguyen attempted to take his own life a week ago today and is currently in a coma in Arlington, Texas. Eric suffered catastrophic brain damage and is not expected to live more than a few days. He would want his friends to maintain his privacy as long as possible, thus the delay posting this news. I hope everyone can understand.

As you can imagine, we're all devastated.

Eric has a wife, two young boys, and many friends in and out of chasing who've called and emailed to express their concern. My answers have been sporadic because my focus is with Eric. From now on, I'll use this thread to share what I learn. Later on, of course, I'll have much more to share.

Thanks, everybody, for the kind words sent so far. I've read a few of the emails out loud to Eric's family and they've been very moved.

Amos Magliocco

[Aaron Kennedy]

A tragic situation... my thoughts are with his family.

I had the pleasure of having Eric as a classmate as an undergrad. We spent many a night in the maproom working on assignments, talking chasing and photography before and after classes, and of course eating at Los Dos Amigos (I'm pretty sure the staff there knew him by name). While I could write paragraphs about his chasing and photography skills, I'll always remember him for his bada$$ GEMPAK plots http://www.mesoscale.ws/forecast/.


- Eric in the maproom. He was always chewing on sunflower seeds.


- Eric in McPherson, KS an hour or two before initiation on the Mulvane day (12 June 2004). I used to joke around with my chase partners that if we ran into Eric while chasing, we were probably on the best storm of the day.

[Bob Schafer]

I'm stunned and pretty much speechless. What horrible, horrible news. My thoughts and prayers to everyone affected, naturally.

OMG, I am shocked as well. He's too young n he can't leave his family. I hope his family gives it some time before they let him go. Due to the fact we were told the same thing about my son n he is now walking, talking, eating n his memory is getting better each day :-) My prayers n thoughts are with him n his family.

[Shane Adams]

I'm only replying to let everyone know how much this effects me......other than that, I'm stunned beyond words. So many questions are filling my head right now.

Thanks Amos for sending word, my thoughts are with you as well as all of Eric's family and friends.

[Jeff Snyder]

I can't say anything beyond what others have said... Eric and I were partners for an term project in a Technical Writing class a few years ago, and I saw a lot of him in the old "Map Room" in SEC. He was a genuinely nice guy, and I was always taken aback by his willingness to actually listen to everybody with whom he was conversing. Sometimes, it seems as though some people aren't really listening when you are talking with them, but Eric always made it seem as though he really gave you 100% of his attention. He was one of those people that you could always easily talk to, personable and laid back. He was a skilled and respected chaser, with photography skills that rival the best in this hobby and field of work.

It's so sad to see such a tragic and abrupt end to a young chaser and caring human. I slept terribly the night after I first heard of this, since it seemed as surprising as anything I've ever heard. I'm still holding out hope that he can at least live through the next week, but I recognize his prognosis is dire.

My thoughts are with Eric and his family. In addition, I know how much Eric and Amos chased together (seems any time I saw either one of them, I saw the other as well), so I really feel for what Amos is going through.

[nickgrillo]

I'm also stunned beyond words... I just read this thread a few minutes ago. I've had the ability to meet and talk with Eric on a number of occasions while chasing.

An incredible chaser, photographer and personality to be around. I'm in utter shock of this news... My thoughts are with all of Eric's family and friends.

[Blake Michaleski]

I got the news several days ago and was stunned as well. I've had a few days to let it sink in... Eric was probably the second or third chaser I ever met. I learned alot about chasing from him. He liked to talk equipment in the old chat room. He's a brilliant guy who was an extremely gifted chaser.

One of the absolute best time I had with him was when Scott Blair and I went to Norman just to visit one day in August a few years ago. We met up with Shane and went dust devil chasing. Excellent times!!! I'll never forget watching the old Dawn of the Dead and Castaway when we visited him. I last got to chat with him at Scott's wedding just months ago in Louisiana. It was great to get to talk chasing with him.

My prayers are with Eric, his family, and all of his friends, especially Amos.

Thanks for keeping us updated Amos.

[Jeff Miller]

I want to express my sadness and shock about this. I've never personally met Eric but I am absolutely saddened and stunned to hear this. I'm wishing the best for him, and I offer only the words of comfort to his family, and children during this horrific time.

[Darin Brunin]

Wow....I am in shock. I have never met Eric but have always admired his photographic work and have never heard one bad thing about him. My thoughts go out to his family and friends in this horrible time.