Big Nik made his last jump

guest · August 7th, 2002, 07:38 AM

Remembered always......with love and a huge smile.

guest · August 7th, 2002, 08:01 AM

tears...

i'll miss you my friend.

i ended up teaching Nik from early on over the internet and he far further than i could ever be.

imported_mknutson · August 7th, 2002, 09:28 AM

I heard very early, and can't remeber the last time I have felt such a loss.

I have so many incredible memories of Nik, but am at a loss for words right now.

Nik was just so ##### incredible of a person!!!!

My heart goes out to the family and wish Nik a golden journey.
[h2]You will never be forgotten[/h2]

guest · August 7th, 2002, 10:44 AM

I first met Nik in Z-hills when he started skydiving, he was practicing base exits at the bar before he finished AFF, BASE was all he wanted to do.

He was one of the most unique people I have ever met. With Nik you could never fail to have fun and/or get into some sort of trouble. I will miss him enormously.

Russ

**Faber** · August 7th, 2002, 11:51 AM

Did only see him in tv,but likede him allready...

Peace Bro`

guest · August 7th, 2002, 11:59 AM

I am the very proud father of Nik Hartshorne and I know I speak for the rest of the family when I say that we are greatly comforted by the many kind things you have said about him in your messages.

You are a very irreverent lot and that is why I think he loved you and the sport so much. To think that he died doing something he loved is both hurtful to think about and yet comforting. He was, at times, loud and obnoxious and zany and funny all at one time, but he was also kind, considerate, and went out of his way for his friends and people he had just met...many of whose names and nicknames I recognize in the messages I've read. To say that he will be missed by the family is a great understatement and I believe, from what I read, that he will be missed by many of you as well.

A couple have asked if there are any plans for a service and the answer is yes. We want to do this as Nik would have wanted it. Presently, with the help of the British Embassy in Switzerland, Dwain, and a host of others, we are in the process of bringing Nik back to Portland for a memorial service, but I cannot say when we will have him back or when the service will be just yet. We also plan to have a party in his honor and you, his friends, are invited to come. I think that's the way he would have wanted it. Dwain will be a good resource as to when we will have made the final arrangements. Barring that, you may contact Wilhelm's in Portland.

Again thank you for your sentiments.

Stay safe.

Dale Gunnoe

guest · August 7th, 2002, 12:15 PM

My heart goes out to all of Nik's friends and family. I know the love that we had for him.

Nik, I will forever hear your voice calling me "rosebud", and don't worry....your fish "on a stick" is up on a wall for all the world to visit.

Love Always,
Joe's Rosebud

guest · August 7th, 2002, 01:14 PM

I'll never forget your unique sense of humor and that unforgettable accent.

Later Nik

Jay Bohnert

d-dog · August 7th, 2002, 01:51 PM

Thank you for Nik - he was a shining light in the lives of so many of us. He will never be forgotten, never leave our hearts and spirits.

Peace,

Douglas B. Spink
ddog@wrinko.com
www.wrinko.com

**BASE359** · August 7th, 2002, 01:57 PM

Yesterday was my birthday...I'm not so sure I'll be able to celebrate it the same way, ever again.
:-(
BASE359

Surber · August 7th, 2002, 02:29 PM

I usually never know the people who are involved in BASE accidents. Or maybe I have met them once or twice. But when a guy like Nik goes in, it brings the horror of the world to my doorstep. Nik is an icon for almost everything good about BASE and good about people. He coached me, encouraged me, fed me, let me stay at his house, and most of all inspired me. His irreverence is legendary, as is his love. A wicked intellect combined with social irreverence and a huge capacity for support and love. The man's range was enormous. He studied death as a profession and danced with it as a hobby. He helped a sick newborn find health and nurtured an outrageous flower garden in his own backyard. He wore the credentials of law enforcement and BASE jumped away from the authorities in garters, hose, wig, and makeup. His last jump of every competition was in borrowed panties as he bellowed "90 right" to anyone with a good score. Nik had more personality than any 10 "normal" people, and he lived through a set of values that showed us how to avoid the life of a hollow conformist. He helped everyone with emotional and physical problems of all sorts. And he expended huge efforts to help his friends and to right any wrong. We have lost an anchor of our sport and an inspiration for our lives. The world has lost someone who crafted a life way beyond the average and the acceptable. Tonight I will cry about the loss and tomorrow I will honor Nik's impact by keeping his principles alive in my own life.

OGG645 · August 7th, 2002, 03:11 PM

"...I just want to enjoy it and have fun" Nik told me with a huge grin and laughing voice. This in reference to the jump we just made from a crane and the night out that lay ahead. Pretty much speaks to his life as well. I left him smiling at the bar with the intention to meet up and hit a local B later that night. The second jump never happened, we'll get it in memory of you this weekend Nik...

guest · August 7th, 2002, 03:42 PM

Walking down the highway of life. Valhalla is looking after you, now. There you will meet the best and toughest people that have been around. See you later.

Troll wall

**base311** · August 7th, 2002, 03:46 PM

All in just a few short hours we met Nik for the first time, jumped with him, raised a few pints with him, partied with him until dawn, and - all too soon - sent him on his way. And so it was in those same few hours that we came to know Nik, and when he left Atlanta we felt like we had known him all along. Knowing this, and Nik, we are confident that there are many souls scattered about this planet on whom Nik has left an indelible mark, and we're equally certain that they are grieving terribly, as are we. To all of you, we offer our sincerest condolances and hope that the tears you shed now will soon turn to smiles as you recall all of the wonderful experiences you shared with Nik.

And for those who never had the honor to meet Nik, we can only hope that you may know someone who has such a delightful spirit as he.

We love you and miss you already...
Cheers mate!
Leanne and Gardner

imported_mknutson · August 7th, 2002, 05:56 PM

On behalf of Jim Surber:

I usually never know the people who are involved in BASE accidents. Or maybe I have met them once or twice. But when a guy like Nik goes in, it brings the horror of the world to my doorstep. Nik is an icon for almost everything good about BASE and good about people. He coached me, encouraged me, fed me, let me stay at his house, and most of all inspired me. His irreverence is legendary, as is his love. A wicked intellect combined with social irreverence and a huge capacity for support and love. The man's range was enormous. He studied death as a profession and danced with it as a hobby. He helped a sick newborn find health and nurtured an outrageous flower garden in his own backyard. He wore the credentials of law enforcement and BASE jumped away from the authorities in garters, hose, wig, and makeup. His last jump of every competition was in borrowed panties as he bellowed "90 right" to anyone with a good score. Nik had more personality than any 10 "normal" people, and he lived through a set of values that showed us how to avoid the life of a hollow conformist. He helped everyone with emotional and physical problems of all sorts. And he expended huge efforts to help his friends and to right any wrong. We have lost an anchor of our sport and an inspiration for our lives. The world has lost someone who crafted a life way beyond the average and the acceptable. Tonight I will cry about the loss and tomorrow I will honor Nik's impact by keeping his principles alive in my own life.