though not HAMB related, Eric Swenson's businesses played a huge role to many of us as youths. I remember scarying the hell out of my dad when I rode my skateboard around his projects and finished cars. RIP Eric SAN FRANCISCO - Skateboard business icon Eric Swenson, co-founder of the magazine Thrasher who reinvigorated the sidewalk surfing craze in the late 1970s with his Independent Trucks equipment firm, has died in San Francisco. Police say the 64-year-old Swenson shot himself to death on Monday in front of the Mission police station. The San Francisco Chronicle says Independent Trucks made a high-quality truck, the metal connector between the skateboard and its wheels that enabled moves necessary for jumps and tricks. Swenson and friend Fausto Vitello opened the manufacturing company in San Francisco in 1978. Three years later, Swenson, Vitello and Kevin Thatcher co-founded skateboarding's Thrasher magazine. Swenson is survived by wife Linda McKay and sisters Rebekah Engle and Sonja Taylor, both of San Francisco
I grew up skating in So.Cal in the 70's, and my trucks of choice were Indies. Very sad news. RIP Eric
I would like to hear the rest of the story. What (besides drugs) makes someone who has had that kind of success walk in front of a police station and shoot themselves? I used to love Thrasher. I remember writing letters to the magazine and decorating the envelope in hopes of getting my letter published.
depression.. regardless of where you stand financially.. etc etc.. i used them back in the day too.. they were the best.. dunno where they stand these days not touch a skateboard for over 18 years now..
As quoted from The SF Examiner. When he was about 20, Swenson severely injured his leg in a motorycle accident that kept him at Laguna Honda Hospital for more than a half year, Vitello said. Years of pain stemming from that injury might have become too overwhelming for Swenson, she said. "Toward the end, walking was kind of a struggle for him," Vitello said, who added that friends and loved ones can only speculate as to why he took his own life. Read more at the San Francisco Examiner: http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/201...de-front-mission-police-station#ixzz1Q7NxOX6a
-RIP ERIC. Thanks for bringing skateboarding to the midwest via Thrasher mags. I just found my stash of old Thrasher mags this spring and I still have my first set of indies.
that said though for one to take their own life infront of the police station is a bit extreme, that seems to reason a message was being sent... either way, this is a horrible thing to happen to anyone and my heart goes out to the folks that survived him. thats never an easy thing for anyone to have to live with...
Wait, what? I haven't even heard! Damn I've been out for so long. May you find rest for your tired soul brother.
wow, that hit home with me.. i shattered my left leg and had to crawl for two days with a compound fracture dragged my self a mile and half for help.. fake knee in 2004.. and chronic pain patient now and the meds are not working to well.. i deal with depression and the pain just eats at you so yeah i totally understand what lead the man to his grave ( minus in front of a police station).. man.. so close to home.. im only 36 tho.. so if i see his age ill be honestly surprised.. i figure 5 years.. if im lucky.. one day ata time is best we can do so thats how i live.. i did a number on my leg.. laughs..
my sister sent me the info last night..very sad. always loved Thrasher mag and still ride Indys. Sucks that Eric didn't think he had any other way out of whatever his troubles were. Prayers for his wife and family and friends. RIP
Bummer R.I.P. Independents for life... Should also be noted that although he was mainly a skateboarding icon he was also a supporter of racing, I know that Independent is a sponsor of the Bean Bandits for land speed racing, so he really wasn't just a skateboard guy even though he may not have been a car builder.
A rough way to go for a life that effected so many(myself included) for the better. My prayers go out to his friends and family.