We did not expect this.  One Saturday in September 2010, Eric was out walking in Port Hueneme where he lived along the Silver Strand.  He experienced  a little vertigo [from a bad surfer's ear] and just wiped out on the sidewalk breaking his left hip and left wrist.  They operated on both and we visited every day.  When he had really started to look better, we skipped a day of visiting.  I drove back to Vista  since I had been missing alot of  work. 

The next morning, Oct. 4th, at shift change - it sounds like the pain medicine they gave him upset his stomach and he was throwing up, choking, and then he stopped breathing.  The 'code blue' team tried to resuscitate  him for half an hour.  He was gone by the time my parents had arrived.  It took me 5 hours that time to travel to the hospital and while driving I did not know what I would arrive to.   I personally feel that the hospital was partially negligent, but I can't envision my parents living through a grueling lawsuit and it won't bring him back anyways.  We also believe that God arranges the timing of when we leave this world.  We are obviously not in charge of that.  The doctor was visibally shaken as was the male nurse on duty: 'Erick'.  Both he and Eric had enjoyed watching the USC football game the night before in the hospital room. 

The last time I saw Eric was after the drive from Santa Barbara with my parents, Lew and Gloria.  We were hanging out enjoying each other's company.  Mom and I noticed his feet were very cold.  She was rubbing one foot and I was rubbing the other until they were toasty warm.  We left w/ the usual goodbyes.  I kissed him on his right cheek and said 'Luv You', and waved goodbye.  I know he felt loved.  His wonderful friend, Jim Hart, had called many times.  The last thing Eric said to Jim was:  "Jaime, you Da Man ! ....You da Man....!!
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Stay tuned, More photos to come!!!!  You will probably be in them sooner or later !!!!

John "Jeff" Bass
11/1/2010 01:55:50 am

...I found out about Eric's physical death the next day. I drove out to the hospital in Oxnard and spoke with the chaplain, Rehab people, Orthopedic Nurse, and President Obama...I descerned a bit of negligence on the part of the Staff, but...Eric's gone, off surfing cosmic waves in eternity. As my Japanese wife would say: "Shikata ga nai?) (What the hell can you do about it?) After I split the hospital, I called Lew and Gloria...and then Ira Diamond...--JB

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Mike Huwe
3/23/2011 02:32:01 am

I spoke with Eric about 20 minutes before he wiped out on the sidewalk that Saturday afternoon. Because it was via telephone we communicating, I had no idea of the injury and assumed he was ok. Now I have to assumed he is back in the line up and getting ready to grab the rail. MH

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Lyanna Hart
6/11/2012 04:47:27 am

Hi Eric " Bota" was one of my favorite people!!! we would always goof off and my dad would always talk to him on the phone, he was my dads best friend and my favorite uncle... I was speechless when Bota had passed away my parents didn't want me to know for the reason that it would kill me from the inside but i have finally found a way to find some peace in hart knowing that Bota is in heaven and he will always be in my memories and heart.
Bota: I love you and miss you very very much, i just wish I could of answered that last phone call right before you left. I love you.....

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