El Dorado Posted June 9, 2011 Share Posted June 9, 2011 A dear friend and neighbor passed yesterday. Not many may know him but may have heard of him. He was a gold buyer/seller of great moral character and success. In my part of the Motherlode, he has probably bought gold from most that wanted or needed to sell. He was a very successful businessman that owned a really big helicopter service company, His A-star fleet serviced many offshore ships that needed critical parts flown to them from the mainland. Or when some very critical long line sling load work needed to be done with a skill that few had.......... When he sold his fleet, he got into the gold business.He will be missed by many. He loved to read, listen to classical music and surround himself with some of the most exotic gold specimens that one can imagine. I remember many times when he acquired a real special treasure and would share it with me with the same excitement a you see when a kid get their first bike.....Here are but a few of his favoritesThis is the largest old nugget/specimen found from the SS Central America wreckOne of his more interesting crystal gold speciesA few more from that batchRIP my friend..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nugget Shooter Posted June 9, 2011 Share Posted June 9, 2011 R.I.P Van..... Condolences and respect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick in Havasu Posted June 9, 2011 Share Posted June 9, 2011 I'm sorry for your loss. I know how tough it is to lose a close friend.Patrick..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garimpo Posted June 9, 2011 Share Posted June 9, 2011 Van you deserve all the kind words I can think of....not enough folks likeyou left in this world....RIP Van...it was nice knowing you.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Soloman Posted June 9, 2011 Share Posted June 9, 2011 Thank you for the knowledge and photos Steve. I am sorry for your loss, and the Community's. - T Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoser John Posted June 9, 2011 Share Posted June 9, 2011 :twocents: Van was a good decent man who lived a good life. Just not aware even that he was sick, but haven't seen or talked in about 3 years or so. Bummer as a reliable buyer and RIP VAN!!!- nuttn' but respect--John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt Posted June 10, 2011 Share Posted June 10, 2011 RIP Van. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wes Posted June 10, 2011 Share Posted June 10, 2011 I just met Van recently and can say he was a real true gentleman. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldfinger Posted June 10, 2011 Share Posted June 10, 2011 I never knew him but sorry for your loss. R.I.P.Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ant Man Posted June 10, 2011 Share Posted June 10, 2011 RIP Van. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Micro Nugget Posted June 10, 2011 Share Posted June 10, 2011 Sad to learn of another lost oldtimer. RIP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Coffee Posted June 10, 2011 Share Posted June 10, 2011 I never met Van, but seeing the responses posted here it is obvious he was one-of-a-kind. So I spent a few minutes and jotted down this little poem in remembrance of his life and the impact he made on so many people. Godspeed, Van!!Gone Prospectin' I've spent my life searching, far and wide, for the elusive yellow metal gold, I did it when I was bored, I did it when I was tired, I did it when I was both young and old. I've looked in the streams, and rivers, and creeks, with a wide-open careful eye, I've climbed over mountains, walked through the fields, and been in mines where real men before me have died. I've met many people, some good and some bad, but I wouldn't change a single thing, Had days when I was happy, days when I was sad, and days where all I could do was sing. I didn't get rich, but I was in fact wealthy, with memories of good times and friends, and though I am gone, please don't mourn for me, because in Heaven the River of Gold never ends!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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