Sad News: Bikefanclub.com

Dear forum readers,

Perhaps off topic but I'd like to use this space to pay a special tribute to one of my friends and mentors who died suddenly of a heart attack while he was training for the Boston Marathon this past Sunday (3/28/04). His name was Rick Stiegler and he was the Chief Technology Officer at LendingTree.com. Rick was a brilliant systems programmer, technologist, manager, and a great family man. He left behind a wife and 3 young daughters and he will be sorely missed.

Before he joined LendingTree, and before I moved to Hawaii, we worked closely together on the computer systems and networks for a Wall St. investment bank. We travelled to London together on business trips and shared many laughs. He was an inspirational leader and a great friend.

As cyclists and fellow athletes, we can all appreciate the hard work it takes to stay fit. This was to be Rick's first marathon and while his mind was ready, his heart unfortunately wasn't. His goal was to raise money for the Massachusetts General Children's Hospital - where his goal was to raise $5,000. Just before he died he was able to raise about $1,700 but the news of his tragic death shocked everyone and since then, his donation page, has become an outlet where people have shown an outpouring of sympathy and support. Not only has Rick surpassed his fundraising goal, but the results have been rather surprising. Check it out!

Here is a good article and tribute to Rick from the Charlotte observer where Rick lived. Also here's another article that appeared in the Charlotte Business Journal.

Aloha,

-Kahuna

Edited by Kahuna (04/03/04 07:04 AM)