Nick passed away on December 15th 2009.
Nick was an instructor at Brooks Institute of Photography and that is were we met. Even though I only had one class with him some twenty seven years ago I seem to still be learning from my friend. He had great impact on many who went through his class, just read the numerous posts on his Face Book page.
Nick you pushed us to the limit, you even made us angry some times bring us to tears, you gave us encouragement and taught us well. I would have it know other way and I want to thank you for every thing you did all those years ago. It is because of you that I am the photographer and person that I am today. Again thank you my friend!
I will remember your joking you called me a stump jumper from Minnesota and I called you the beat farmer from North Dakota.
Nick you will be missed greatly!
5 comments:
Re: Nick Decker
PART 1
'A song for Nick Decker'
Cheryl Weavr
Nick was my heart. My mentor first; he became my friend during my time there at Brooks so many years ago now.
Even now, some would remember Nick, Sammy, Cory and I, would travel. We laughed til it hurt. We traveled every break, usually North taking pictures and making slide shows... People knew us in this way. We called ourselves '4 Fun Production held special shows for the students. I laugh now at how far technology would make what we thought was the most advanced use of the media, seem rudimentary, rough or amateur, but the photography was some of the best we would ever take.
SEE PART 2 ON BLOG
Re: Nick Decker
PART 1
'A song for Nick Decker'
Cheryl Weavr
Nick was my heart. My mentor first; he became my friend during my time there at Brooks so many years ago now.
Even now, some would remember Nick, Sammy, Cory and I, would travel. We laughed til it hurt. We traveled every break, usually North taking pictures and making slide shows... People knew us in this way. We called ourselves '4 Fun Production held special shows for the students. I laugh now at how far technology would make what we thought was the most advanced use of the media, seem rudimentary, rough or amateur, but the photography was some of the best we would ever take.
Re: Nick Decker
PART 2
'A song for Nick Decker'
Cheryl Weaver
CONTINUED
When I left Santa Barbara, I didn't keep in touch in a way that would match the loss I feel for his passing.
I was sure we were going to be old together; that we would put our teeth in the same glass. Nick knew he was going to die in a car accident and he worried when he drove... but then, as every one knew; Nick worried about everything...and fretted. Nick was very vocal and some would say a difficult man and teacher...but it seemed that when Sammy Amin; Cory Sorensen and I where all together with him; he was content.
Nick loved Zion Park Del Norte Redwood Forest and traveling into Mexico. I loved Nick and he adored me much more than any Man I would be with for all of these 20+ years. When I heard that he had crossed over I have grieved so deeply; that I want to rely to his students now to appreciate your friends and those you love.
Time passes and then they pass, so fast that before you know it; you've not phoned, written or gotten together. You've lost the chance to say what you wanted, how your day was or ask for advice from or listen to their compaining.. and be one of the few that could listen in just the right way; like no one else. That's what friends are for and I had been that to him. I went to L.A. and became the 'big time photographer' and lost him on the way.
Part 3
Cheryl Weaver
Westwood, Ca.
Nick was my darling, my dear friend and Mentor. He taught me everything he could and nursed me through ammonia. Our road trips were famous as I'm sure many of you can attest, that Nick had his way of caring for you even if when you graduated you went far away.
Nick called himself 'Crowfeather'; he loved to ride his Harley; loved to make every detail of a trip, special and put the effort to those that might have been need just that special something to inspire a Photographer to love the art; have passion for both taking the picture and then the follow through of processing; printing; presentation. Nick was a true professional. He was shy when it came to much of his life, but came alive when he lectured. When he barked at a student they would later come to know that he was there for you before class or after. His confidence would shine through.
I grieve with you that loved him and chuckle at those of who didn't. Nick had a way about him that makes me wonder if someone might see his ghost in the hallways or darkroom. He was looking forward to that aspect of being dead to haunt those that he had battled with that week; last year or a teacher that might have crossed him at any time. Nick never forgot a single thing and I wish that I hadn't forgotten so many opportunities to call, say hello and listen to him; to ask about his day; drive up to S.B and spend some time with him.
Talk about our adventures and laugh again at Sammy or Cory and sip some Whiskey again.
In his departure from this world would be the last lesson he would teach me... that I should have taken care of those that gave so much to me. I regret those phone calls I could have made, Christmas and victories achieved...but mostly, I regret not sharing with him those times that were bad, sad and not victorious that I kept from him or others. I have learned and now will practice; to be a better friend to those that I have chosen to be around and those that I've pushed away.
Thank you Nick; my Crowfeather, my Mentor. I will miss you for the rest of my life. I was ashamed of not being perfect for you. My pride stopped me from keeping you in my life. I know know that friends are for when you succeed but mostly for when you've not. I'll see you soon, but not today...and when I do we can go on the road and sell you 'Deer poster' to tourists from the deluxe Winnebago we were going to get when we got old and we couldn't shoot, teach and were trough with whatever we thought we should or have to do.
Part 4
Cheryl Weaver
I'm going to buy a camera start taking pictures again. I'm going to take those I'd call my friends and those few that fill a special place in my life... I'm going to call and I'm going to let them take care of me and listen to good advise; because I'll have told them the happy and the sad; they have paid attention; then given back by listening and then saying the exact thing I needed to hear that would inspire me or show love to me like you had.
Thank you on behalf of all your students and those lives you've touched and taught. Many might not have the same adoration for your moody barking, but perhaps someday they will see that that lesson you taught was valuable and helpful to them to...inspire in them just the right thing to do or say that which would take them to the path or on the path; the one they have passion for to do in their life.
Later, the passion wains and they will look back and remember you for being there for them at that precise time...that would make the difference and that they now know was good advise; for them back then and still good today.
This advise I say to you now in honor of Nick Decker, deceased but still teaching me. Perhaps this is exactly what you need to hear to help you make a choice that this would apply. Nick would have liked that I wrote this 'run on' sentence for you; my trilogy of Nick. He would have grunted and groaned but would have read this a couple of times.
I'll miss you.
xxoocaw
Cheryl Weaver
Alumni
Westwood, California
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