Monday, February 23, 2009

Eric Siemer (6/2/60 - 2/19/09)

John Eric Siemer, known to his family and many friends as Eric, died at home in Yellow Springs on Feb. 19. He was 48.

Known for his cheerful, smiling demeanor, his quick willingness to help others, and his eclectic catalog of interests, Eric was loved by many in Yellow Springs and surrounding communities.

He was born in St. Louis, MO on June 2, 1960 to Pat and Ron Siemer, now of Yellow Springs. He spent most of his childhood and youth in Oak Park, IL, immediately west of Chicago. His family, including parents and four brothers, moved to Yellow Springs in 1976.

While living in Oak Park, Eric was diagnosed with bipolar syndrome at the age of 14. He bravely fought the disease, which causes its victims to suffer severe episodic emotional and physical anguish, all his life, exhibiting incredible courage and cheerful friendliness to family, friends, and business acquaintances between debilitating episodes, when he was often hospitalized.

After graduation from Xenia High School he joined the Army and served in Germany. He returned to Yellow Springs in the early 1980s and shortly thereafter enrolled in Clark State Community College to pursue a degree in electronics. He also attended Wright State University.

He became an electronics assembly manager at Miller-Wethington Industries, Inc., in Yellow Springs from 1988 to 1991. Later he worked in other electronics positions in Dayton, and from 1991 to 1993 he applied a lifetime interest in bicycles and cycling as retail manager of Whitman Bikes and Fitness, Inc., in Beavercreek.

During these years Eric developed a passion for aviation and flying, with a special interest in ultralight aircraft. He bought a number of ultralight planes and began building one, which he never completed but which he frequently referred to with a grin as his “lifetime project.”

In the late 1990s he married Sharon Dalrymple of Yellow Springs. The couple purchased a 15- acre home in Corwin, OH, where they established a bed-and-breakfast, a bicycle sales, repair, and rental business, and a campground featuring bike trails and other outdoor facilities.

Sharon died of cancer in late 2003. Eric returned to Yellow Springs and worked with youth and adults, forming “Wing Nuts,” an aviation club in which he instructed in hands-on aviation concepts including model building and flying and principles of aircraft construction and handling.

Late in 2006 Eric met and formed a loving bond with Jenny Chen, owner of Chen’s Asian Bistro on Dayton St. in Yellow Springs. Together they operated the restaurant until his death.

Eric is survived by his loving partner Jenny Chen of Yellow Springs; four brothers: Marc of Cincinnati, Paul of Olympia, WA, Tony of Xenia, OH, and Patrick of San Francisco, CA; his parents, Pat and Ron Siemer of Yellow Springs; sisters-in-law Kim Riano (wife of Paul) and Samantha (wife of Tony); Scott Sherwood, loving partner of Patrick; and nieces and nephews Hannah, Jacob, Kyra, Maya, Temple, Miles, and Zoƫ Siemer and Elena Polinski (daughter of Marc).

The family is grateful to all the generous and caring friends of Yellow Springs, the congregation of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Yellow Springs, the principals of Sowelo of Yellow Springs, and to Mary White, Jennifer Gilchrist, and other musicians who generously volunteered help, guidance, food, and personal services on learning of Eric’s death.

A celebration of Eric’s too-short life is planned for Saturday, February 28, at 3:30 p.m. at the Yellow Springs United Methodist Church.

Note: The memorial service information was updated at 12:30 p.m. on 2/24/09.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

The fabric of this community has a tear in it ... that which will not soon heal nor dry.


Eric, you're a dear friend
-super dave

jafabrit said...

Gosh,he was so young :( My condolences go to all those who loved him and knew him.

Virgil Hervey said...

This obituary was written by Eric's father Ron.

Anonymous said...

Eric was good friend of mine from our youth in Oak Park,IL It was here that eric began his love of Bicycles. we graduated from Hawthorne Elementary school, he went to Oak park River Forest HS before the move. Before he moved we made a pact to never lose touch with each other, and we never have. Eric has touched Our family's life in so many ways. I will miss him always, and dearly.

Keep Riding and Flying High, and May God Hold You in the Palm of His Hands.
You have always have and always will be in my heart

Bill Kirchner

Anonymous said...

I used to live down the road from Eric's bike shop, “Siemer Station”, near Corwin, OH. He was a great guy who was always willing to help stranded cyclists. His wife Sharon was great too. Many times I bartered with him for bike parts for work on his bike shop web site. Only a few years ago did I realize that that Sharon had died and that he was working here in Yellow Springs at Chen’s. I just saw him a week or so ago, at lunch there. I'll miss him.

Anonymous said...

Sad to lose someone in this community. Do we know the cause of death? He would always do his best to treat you good as a customer at Chen's.

Anonymous said...

Eric was my cousin. Growing up and going to family gatherings at grandma and grandpa Siemers in Ill., I was always excited to see Eric and the rest of the family. But there was always something about Eric that just, I don't know, made you happy. Those cherry milkshakes that he got me hooked on at the corner icecream shop, I still love. I was at his service, and I was so happy to see that he made such an impact on so many others. He will be missed by many and always remembered. Uncle Ron and aunt Pat, I can not imagine what you must be feeling, but I promise that my family and I have you both in our prayers. And to Yellow Springs, I say thank you. Ryan

Anonymous said...

Eric was the greatest host-dad an exchange student could have. He was always full of ideas of fun stuff to do. he made that year (2002/2003) the most exiting time of my life until now. I will never forget him.

don said...

I know it's been a couple years, sorry to hear of his passing. I remember him living (or his parents)on St Rt 68 between Xenia and Yellow Springs. Wish I had kept in touch. Having had dealt with Bi-polar from a caretakers viewpoint, I know it had to have been rough.
Rest in peace, Eric.

Don Schmidt XHS class of '79