Love never dies.  We all love you in different ways….

Our love for you and memories of you will always be with us…..even though my heart aches for your family.  Please bless and protect them.

I did not know Lorentz extremely well besides short chats dropping off my children to play, but I feel that I have learned the most about Lorentz through Zeke. On one occasion, Pele, our cat, ran away while Zeke and Ronan were camping in the backyard. Ronan was distraught and crying because he was unsure if he would ever see Pele again (Ronan even said if Pele was hurt or dead, he wished he could take his place). Instead of dismissing the situation, ten-year-old Zeke consoled Ronan with a rare form of kindness that comforted Ronan better than I could have. After a night of hunting, Pele returned, and everything was okay.

Recently, while playing, Zeke was hit by a car going ~40mph and could have been killed. It was a miracle he survived. In a world populated by snowflakes, while Zeke still could not walk, he only saw the positives of his situation and demonstrated a scarce form of strength. I left his house that day inspired.

The two greatest gifts any father could hope to see their children exude are 1) kindness and 2) strength. Zeke has both qualities at a level higher than any man I have met. The Bible says you will know them by their fruits, and I believe in 11 short years, Eric accomplished what few fathers ever accomplish. Lorentz is notably physically strong, but his external strength is minimal compared to his internal strength and ability to impart lasting values to his children. Lorentz is alive and living through Zeke and those he has impacted. Therefore, I believe it is true that, in fact, the TRULY great ones never die. 

I knew Eric for approximately a short 7 years. I started working for Fluor in February, 2016 and a few months later Eric joined our team. For the past 2 years Eric and I were in the same crew. In life and at work we are always told to prepare for the unexpected. On August 17, 2023 the unexpected crossed my path. I received a message from Kristen notifying me of Eric’s passing away. Instantaneously after reading her text message an indescribable pain flooded my soul. I immediately broke down crying, snot running down my nose. I could not understand how or why Eric’s passing hit me so hard. Then the reason came to mind. On June 18, 2023 my son, Damian, had stopped by my work and he accompanied me to the control room(office) at WP were Eric was. Damian witnessed how Eric and I had one of our normal work & life conversations. After Damian and I walked out of the control room Damian said to me, “Dad, you and Eric are like brothers.” It threw me off a little and I asked him, what do you mean? He replied, “Well Eric and you talk to each other in a brotherly manner.” Eric’s passing away hit me so hard because he was like a true brother to me.

I have read everyone else’s post of how Eric was a gentle, loving, caring, giant of a man. I can confirm that it all is true. Eric was a calm spirit who eased the environment in any room he was a presence of. He truly put others before himself, both in his personal and work life.

It is a small world after all. Eric attended Burlingame High School, graduating in 1998. I attended King City High School, graduating in 1997. It is about a 2 hour drive between these schools. After getting to know Eric at work, we discovered that our schools were in the same conference and that he had possibly wrestled some common acquaintances of ours. Around 2012, I was living with my cousin Ana in San Diego. I recently found out that her husband at the time had just checked onboard USS Asheville (SSN-758). Apparently Eric checked out from the Asheville a few short months later. I was born on January 14, 1978. Nothing special there, however, one of Eric’s son was also born on January 14 so that makes it that much more special. Like Eric, I am also a Warriors and 49ers fan.

On July 19, 2023 some of the guys from work and I joined Eric in Coronado for some axe throwing, a simple farewell before his move to Folsom. Our work schedule is demanding and does not leave much room for us to hang out outside of work so it was nice being able to share a moment together.

There are no words I can say or actions I can take to bring sense to this. However, I know that I will always keep Eric’s memory alive. To Kristen, Zeke, Bobby, and the entire Wigby family, I know we have never met but I want to extended my condolences to your family. May peace and love work its magic in our unexpected moments of this thing we call life.  Until we meet again my friend!  

I have many memories of Eric, I still can see him in our pool holding Sohail in one arm and Samer in another pushing them under the water and his beautiful smile with that strong body and kind heart. The memory that has stayed with me all my life is in a trip I went with the First Presbyterian church of Burlingame in 1996 to their yearly mission to Mexico to build house for the underprivileged people of Mexico . The last night of the trip everyone would share few words of their experience in this trip. Larry Wigby Eric’s father had this amazing story to share. “ I was not a believer of Christ and never practiced Christianity, today I am a proud father that my 16 years old son Eric showed me the path to faith and believing in god that has changed my life for better . Eric was an evangelist at this young age he has done something that all these scholars of Christianity takes them life time to accomplish. this was a trip that I accompanied my two sons Sohail and Samer,Larry and Eric Wigby Don ,Jeff and David Bartels, Rik and Dan Kasuga,David and Steven Lem, Genie and Paul and David Watermulder .

Eric you are in peace in the company of the lord, you have done in your short life what that many with longest life can’t accomplish. 

God is LOVE and your love for your family and friends won't die  

James and I had the privilege (and sheer terror) of being present for the set up of Eric’s proposal to Kristen. As we watched Eric set up for “the climb” we joked around but also prayed that the railings of the medical student housing balconies were secure. James was the designated videographer and we were instructed to just hang out with Kristen and film her for no apparent reason. It was somewhat odd. But then incredible to watch Eric appear on the balcony and propose.

We are deeply saddened and bewildered by the loss of Eric. His life is the stuff of legends and that legend lives on with Kristen, Zeke, and Bobby. We know his strength, compassion, integrity, humility, and dedication lives on. Wigs, “Uncle Eric”, we miss you. Kristen, Zeke, & Bobby we are with you and sending all of our love.

We were deeply saddened to learn of Eric's passing. Although we hadn't had the chance to see him in recent years, our family cherishes countless wonderful memories. All those summer visits to the Bay Area, spending time with Eric and the rest of the family, are forever etched in our hearts. He was an exceptional soul, and we know he was also a loving husband and amazing father.

The pain of knowing he won't be here to witness his children grow into adulthood weighs heavy on our hearts. However, we find solace in the belief that he now resides in heaven, watching over them with comfort and love.

During this difficult time, we extend our deepest condolences and want you to know that your family is in our thoughts and in our hearts. Eric's memory will forever be a source of inspiration and warmth for all who were fortunate enough to have known him.  

The Liu Family