Cinque

Five years, bro. Five years.

Five years ago I was working away in my office listening to some music when the phone rang. The caller ID let me know that it was my dad, so I picked it up before anyone else in the office answered it. There was just silence on the line. Well, I take that back. There was the thick, stunned silence that happens when one can't speak. My heart jumped, for I thought something was wrong with my dad, the seconds barely ticking by when one is left to imagine the unimaginable. You can probably understand that split second of relief I felt when he finally did get some words out. When he did, bro, though, the words were about your possible departure. Now the thick silence was his and mine to share, our breaths synchronized across the wire in a trembling stutter. Tick, tock.

Tick.

Tock.

The seconds just ticking by. To this day, these seconds still take up eons of memory, but the moments that immediately followed are hollow, the words, emotions and thoughts void of material or breadth. I recall waking up from the void finding myself hearing Bob Dylan's voice singing some song I never knew of that was about the Jack of Hearts. I listened along for a while, knowing that this song would stay with this moment forever. A little while later, blood had returned to my body and I was able to sit up. Looking up the song, I had to sit back down. The album title was just too much for me. Do you know the album? Did you listen to it? It came out in 1975 and a lot of people say that it was one of his best. Shows you what I know. About you or about Dylan.

Five years. A lot's happened since then. Your sis had a beautiful boy named Luke that I am I ashamed to say that I have yet to meet. Karen had a second boy, Eli, and Heather and I have two girls, Talula and Ona. How crazy is that? Yep, it's pretty awesome. We all share stories about you from time to time, expanding your legend. If you think about it, some of these kids may live into the 22nd century and they just might blabble on about this amazing surfer/photographer/cousin that we are all lucky to have known first hand. Of course, my kids will probably talk about how you used to wake me up by farting in my face. So, you've got that to be proud of.

Tick, tock, the clock moves on. The memories, the laughs, the everything keep on keeping on.

Love you cuz.

From Greg's dad, Ernie Betz

GOOD MORNING GREG;
TODAY IS THE FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF YOUR DEPARTURE. I WANT YOU TO KNOW YOUR FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN YOU. I STILL BELIEVE THAT ONE OF THESE DAYS, YOU WILL JUST REAPPEAR. THERE IS NOT A DAY THAT PASSES, THAT I DO NOT THINK OF YOU.
I AM PROUD TO BE YOUR DAD. I TRY ONLY TO RECALL ALL THE HAPPY TIMES, WE CELEBRATED AS A FAMILY, BUT IT'S DIFFICULT. YOU WOULD LOVE YOUR NEW NEPHEW LUKE; HE LOOKS A LOT LIKE YOU. A FUTURE SURFER, LIKE HIS UNCLE GREG. WELL, HAVE A GREAT SURF DAY IN HEAVEN; THE WAVES MUST BE PERFECT THERE. MUCH LOVE FROM ALL. DAD

Written by Greg's Dad on 3/27/10

DEAR GREG;CONGRADS ON BECOMING 43 TO0DAY! YOUR OLE DAD WANTS TO WISH YOU A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY. 2010 IS MOVING ALONG RAPIDLY! THE BEST NEWS THUS FAR IS YOU ARE ABOUT TO BECOME AN UNCLE ,ON OR BEFORE MAY 5TH!!! JEN WILL PRESENT THE FAMILY WITH A BOUNCENG BABY BOY!!!YOU ARE BEING HONORED TOO,SINCE HIS GIVEN NAME WILL BE LUKE GREGORY BETZ! WE ARE EXCITED ,AND VERY PROUD OF YOUR SISTER!! I HOPE YOU WILL HAVE A FUN BIRTHDAY DAY SURFING HEAVEN'S PERFECT WAVES! SURF A BIG ONE FOR ME.WE DEPART FOR THE WEST COAST THE BEGINNING OF MAY.YOUR MOM WILL HELP JEN WITH LUKE'S ARRIVAL;CARYLE WILL BE HER BACKUP! UNCLE FRED,CLARENCE,MAYA.AND I STILL HIT THE BEACH EVERY MORNING;MAYA IS HANGING IN THERE AT 14 YEARS OLD! WELL, YOU ARE DEARLY MISSED !MAY GOD BLESS YOU! LOVE YOU ALWAYS. DAD,CARYLE AND MAYA PS;LOOK UP FREDA MAISEL,WHO ARRIVED THERE

LAST FRIDAY;SHE WAS 102 YEARS OLD,AND THE MAISELS WERE YOUR GRANDPARENTS BEST FRIENDS!THEY OWNED WILTON FARM DAIRY,WHICH SUPPLIED ALL OUR DAIRY PRODUCTS!!!ASK HER TO MAKE YOU A SIX LAYER LEMON CAKE!!!SHE IS THE BEST CAKE MAKER EVER.

from Ernie's long-time friend Alamo

GREG

I didn't get the chance to meet you personally; however, your father and I were two of of a kind; and since he said you and I are two of a kind, that makes a awesome threesome. I assume your mom is from the same cut and that makes a nice foursome.

Later this year I have the pleasure of celebrating 25 years since the passing of my wife, the hawk, who I was with for 25 years. I kind of wish she could have stayed around a little longer, but I guess the big guy felt he needed her for another job in another place. Her warmth, compassion, and understanding, was finish with me and the kids, and it was time for us to stand up and be counted.

Now the big guy and I didn't see eye to eye on his decision, at that time, and I may have said a few things I shouldn't. After I kind of apologized after a few thousand hours of research into... why her not me, I was rewarded with memories that opened my heart to some special understanding.

Mind you I haven't changed as much as they would like but I know she watches and still hoping. I still live by the same old philosophy of "I do what pleases me most", but then again, I get pleasure from helping others.

There seems to be a regular group of "usual suspects" that correspond via email, some you probably know, and if you have some space time from your new job, a little tap on the shoulders would be thankful.

This is a little one way of me, but if you get a chance would you look up the "hawk" and tell her happy 50th. I will.... down here or down there, but a surprise visit would really make me a big shoot!

By your birthday next year I hope to report that your dad and I got together.

Alamo

from Ernie Betz, father of Greg, 3/27/9

DEAR GREG; YOU WOULD BE 42 TODAY,SO A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! I WAS IN THE WAR ZONE,DANANG AIR BASE,SOUTH VIET NAM, WHEN THE RED CROSS INFORMED ME THAT I HAD A HEALTHY BABY SON:HAPPIEST DAY OF MY LIFE,ALTHOUGH, IT WOULD BE SIX MONS TILL I WOULD SEE YOU IN PERSON! ALL IS WELL WITH CARYLE & I.WE LEAVE FOR WASHINGTON STATE IN MAY! WE DO HAVE A VACATION PLANNED FOR CHARLESTON SC IN APR,& A TRIP TO CHINA IN LATE AUG! JEN IS DOING WELL WITH HER RELINE COMPANY,AND WILL VISIT US IN JULY. YOUR FAMILY & FRIENDS GREATLY MISS YOU,ESPECIALLY YOUR DAD! I HOPE THE SURF IS UP IN HEAVEN FOR YOU TODAY! WE LOVE YOU!!! DAD

from Ernie Betz, father of Greg, 10/10/8

DEAR GREG; TODAY IS THE SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF YOUR TRAGIC MISHAP; WHEN YOU WERE TAKEN BY GOD FOREVER FROM YOUR FAMILY,AND FRIENDS! I AM STILL UNABLE TO JUSTIFY WHY, ONLY THAT YOU ARE GONE FROM OUR LIVES FOREVER.I WOULD HAVE GLADLY TRADED PLACES WITH YOU,BUT WE KNOW THAT IS IMPOSSIBLE! I STILL HOPE THAT THIS IS ONE OF YOUR FAMOUS PRANKS,AND THAT YOU WILL ONE DAY JUST REAPPEAR,BUT I KNOW THAT WILL NOT OCCUR! MY PERSONAL ANAYLSIS OF WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED IS WHAT THE TRAIN ENGINEER TOLD ME THAT YOU MAY HAVE BEEN CAUGHT OFF GUARD,WHILE PUTTING YOUR NEW RED MOUNTAIN BIKE THROUGH ITS PACES,ALONG THE TRACKS;THE SOUTH BOUND TRAIN PASSED BY ON THE NEXT SET OF TRACKS,BUT COMING UP BEHIND YOU SECONDS LATER,THE NORTHBOUND COMPUTER TRAIN APPEARED! TO THIS DAY,I WILL ALWAYS HATE TRAINS! UNCLE FRED TOLD ME THIS MORNING AT OUR DAILY DOG WALK ON THE BEACH,THAT YOUR LAJOLLA FRIENDS WILL HAVE A PADDLEOUT,AND BBQ IN YOUR HONOR ON SATURDAY,AND YOUR NEW YORK FRIENDS WILL CELEBRATE A PARTY,AND SOCCER GAME IN YOUR HONOR ON SATURDAY ALSO! I AM SO PROUD OF THE YOUR NUMEROUS FRIENDS WHO CONTINUE TO HONOR YOU! CARYLE AND I ARE BACK IN FLORIDA FOR THE WINTER;WE DID LOSE TOBY,BUT MAYA IS AS STRONG AS EVER! WE ARE TRYING TO BE POSTIVE ABOUT OUR LOSS,BUT IT REMAINS MOST DIFFICULT! A DAY DOES NOT GO BY THAT YOUR OLD DAD DOES NOT THINK ABOUT YOU.JEN IS DOING AS WELL AS CAN BE EXPECTED;I AM AMAZED AT HER STRENGTH! THE GOOD NEWS IS YOUR GETTY IMAGES SALES ARE STILL DOING GREAT;YOU POSSESSED GREAT PHOTOGRAPHER SKILLS,AS WELL AS MANY OTHER TALENTS! I AM GOING TO SIGN OFF NOW;OUR LOVE FOR YOU CONTINUES FOREVER;I CAN FEEL YOUR SPIRIT AROUND US ALL THE TIME,SO THAT IS A COMFORT FOR CARYLE AND ME! MAY GOD BLESS YOU LOVE,DAD AND CARYLE PS HOPE THE SURF IS UP TODAY IN HEAVEN

read at greg betz memorial soccer game, 6/2/7

DEAR FAMILY AND FRIENDS;

CARYLE AND I HAVE ASKED GREG'S FAVORITE UNCLE TO READ A FEW WORDS AND THOUGHTS AT THIS MEMORIAL SOCCER GATHERING, ON OUR BEHALF!

FIRST,I WANT TO ESPECIALLY THANK OUR HOSTS,STEVE AND MARY,FAMILY MEMBERS,AND ALL OF GREG'S BROTHERS,AND SISTERS IN ATTENDANCE, FOR HONORING A VERY SPECIAL PERSON!CARYLE AND I HAVE JUST ARRIVED AT OUR SUMMER HOME IN WASHINGTON STATE,AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO CELEBRATE WITH YOU TODAY,BUT LIKE GREG ,WE WILL BE WITH YOU IN SPIRIT!NEXT YEAR,WITH A BIT OF BETTER PLANNING,WE WILL SURELY BE THERE WITH YOU.

GREG'S DEPARTURE HAS DEEPLY AFFECTED ALL OF OUR LIVES;THERE IS NOT A DAY,,AND SOMETIMES HOURS, THAT I DO NOT THINK OF HIM,AND THAT HE WILL SUDDENLY APPEAR IN TYPICAL GREG BETZ FASHION,AND THIS WAS ALL A BAD DREAM;I KNOW NOW THAT THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE, BUT I KEEP HOPING!

I RECENTLY VISITED THE LAJOLLA ACCIDENT SITE TO PLACE FLOWERS,AND ERECT A WOODED CROSS IN HIS HONOR,AND TO FURTHER REMIND ALL BIKERS OF THE IMMINENT DANGERS OF BIKING CLOSE TO THE RAILWAY TRACKS.ALSO , I INTERVIEWED THE COASTAL TRAIN ENGINEER,WHO IS A HIGHLY EXPERIENCED ENGINEER,AND A REAL GENTLEMAN;HE STATED THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED IN JUST A FRACTION OF A SECOND,AND THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING HE COULD DO TO PREVENT THE INCIDENT .HE HAS CLOSELY FOLLOWED GREG'S BLOG ON THE INTERNET,AND HAS OFFERED HIS DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO THE FAMILY,AND FRIENDS OF GREG!HE NOW SUFFERS FROM POST TRAMATIC STRESS DUE TO THE ACCIDENT;I ASSURED HIM THAT GREG AND I FORGIVE HIM, AND WISH HIM WELL.

I MUST RELATE A RECENT DREAM CARYLE HAD CONCERNING GREG;GREG APPEARED SITTING AT OUR FLORIDA TABLE,AND STARTED PREACHING TO CARYLE THAT WHAT HAPPENED WAS A DEFINITE ACCIDENT,AND HE DID NOT WANT IT TO OCCUR,AND WE SHOULD KNOW THAT HE IS NOW VERY VERY HAPPY WHERE HE IS, AND THAT WE WILL ALL BE TOGETHER AGAIN VERY SOON;HE FURTHER STATED THAT CARYLE SHOULD LET HIS UNTIMELY DEPARTURE BE OVER,AND GET ALONG WITH HER LIFE!SOUNDS LIKE GREG IS ALIVE AND DOING WELL IN HEAVEN.WITH THAT SAID, I FIRMLY BELIEVE YOU SHOULD THROUGHLY ENJOY THE DAY'S FESTIVITIES,AND EVEN SCORE A FEW GOALS FOR GREG;NEXT TO SURFING, SOCCER WAS HIS NEXT FAVORITE SPORT.I RECALL HE TOLD ME ABOUT ALL THE FUN AND PLEASURE HE EXPERIENCED PLAYING HOURS OF CHOOSE UP,AND ORGANIZED SOCCER!HE SAID AS A RESULT,SOME OF YOU BECAME HIS BEST FRIENDS,AND WERE ALSO GREAT SOCCER PLAYERS.AGAIN,I THANK YOU FOR HONORING GREG ON THIS DAY;HE WOULD BE VERY EMBARASSED,BUT VERY PLEASED, YOU FELT ENOUGH OF HIM TO REMEMBER HIM IN THIS FASHION!

MAY GOD BLESS OUR GREG, AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU!

MUCH LOVE, CARYLE AND ERNIE



PS WATCH OUT TODAY FOR GREG PRANKS

Larry Schultz said...

Today my wife called me at work to inform me that a fraternity brother and friend of mine had passed away. Suzie (Vance) Schultz went to High School with Greg in Hawaii. We both attended College with him in Boulder. I regret losing track of him post '89 as this was one of the nicest genuine people that crossed my path. Knowing Greg for four years was a pleasure and missing him for the last 17 years does not soften the blow of his loss.

We will always remember you "Smiley".

YITB,
Lars

from Reni Kessinger

I was Greg’s stepsister.

I first met Greg at a restaurant in Bellingham when I happened upon Greg and Ernie dining together during one of the visits Greg made to the Northwest. Ernie noticed when I entered the restaurant and immediately stood up to introduce me to his son. What I noticed immediately about Greg – as I imagine everyone does when first meeting him – was how beautiful he was. His smile lit up his face and I was greeted with an easy hello and an outstretched arm. I liked him instantly. What I also noticed while seated across the room from Ernie and Greg was the way in which Ernie and Greg were talking. Father and son were talking intimately and many smiles and laughs were exchanged between them. The next time I saw Greg was during mom and Ernie’s wedding. Greg was in attendance as best man/photographer. Chip, Isabel, Emma and I flew into Bellingham from Montana and I remember that as we walked into Mom’s house, Greg was seated in the lounging chair with a big smile on his face. Upon meeting my daughters for the first time, who were between 3 and 4 years of age, Greg instantly won them over. Again, his quick smile, kindness and easy manner made them feel comfortable. Not long thereafter they were following Greg around while he was taking pictures, giggling and hiding their eyes from him. The day Greg left Mom’s house Ernie was driving him to the airport and Greg leaned out the passenger side window with his arms in the air. As he brought them down he pointed at Isabel and Emma, gave them a big smile and then gave them both the “hang loose” sign. The girls screamed with laughter.

While I grieve deeply for the loss of Greg and for our family whose sense of loss is monumental, I feel that in Greg’s passing, Greg personally left me with a gift. Because of losing Greg I had the distinct honor of meeting and listening to his many friends tell stories of Greg, a Greg that I would never have known with their recounting of past events. Their stories made me laugh and cry. I felt their tears, I felt their loss and I was struck by the depth of each individual’s love of this man. My grief comes from not having known Greg better.

Today I now fully realize and comprehend at a deeper level that the footprints we leave behind really do matter. In living our own lives we need to not just go through the motions, but to really live out lives. We need to take a deep breath and feel the world around us. We need to live more kindly. Greg took life on and lived it on his own terms. He was not afraid of living and not afraid to follow his dreams. Greg was kind, he was compassionate, he loved and was loved in return. Thank you Greg for the gift of this wake up call. I am honored to have known Greg and honored to have been his stepsister.

To all the brotha's and sista's

The day after Greg's memorial celebration, my step mom (the one and only Debbie Betz) and I were sittin' by the pool reflecting on the vacuum left not only by Greg's departure, but by the great exodus of family and friends that had made the long trek to San Diego. Debbie put into words something that I had been thinking myself - while we had known Greg for some time, we knew that we did not know him nearly as well as his friends did. We had only special nuggets of interaction with him over the years and from these gems, we had just a sense of who he was. The saturation of love, tall tales and general hootinanny that flooded our eyes, ears and hearts over the weekend made us realize that we knew so little of Greg. However, it also made us realize that we knew him better than we ever could have thought. The man that brought us all together was a man that somehow could be so focused, yet so open, so respectful, yet so irreverent, silly yet caring, aloof yet incredibly grounded. You, his friends, brought this insight and so much more to us this past weekend that there is no thanks in this world that can express our gratitude. The energy, art, soul and love that you poured into the celebration, and it was a celebration, was a singular experience that will not be forgotten. Thank you.

from eric e. huntoon

I am a friend of Ernie and Caryle. I am still in shock over the loss of their son, Greg. I did not know Greg, but Ernie spoke of him with great love, pride and devotion. I am devastated over their loss. My love and thoughts go to the both of them now and always.
Semper Fi
Eric

ABOUT MY COUSIN:
even though i am only a few years younger than greg, he always seemed so much more experienced and cool than i was growing up (in fact he was.) he was this amazing surfer golden boy, and i remember just wanting him to like me. i remember one family reunion in ocean city, it seemed like all the cousins looked up to greg, wanted to be his friend. everyone wanted to be in on the joke with him.
years later i was on a business trip to new york when greg was living there. he came to see me at the stationery show i was part of. still, as adults, he had this special aura about him, this coolness and sparkle. i was apologizing about how little time i had to visit with him that trip, and he just kept his calm, smiling way and repeated "no worries." that is how i remember my sweet cousin, never wanting anyone to worry or be stressed on his account, for life to be zen.
i keep thinking about how i can best honor his memory. i don't have any answers, but i will try to keep "no worries" in my life as much as possible. and just thinking of that grin, that light in his eyes- i want to smile every time he crosses my mind.

POST SAN DIEGO MEMORIAL:
no one in our family had any idea about the amazing network of friends that composed greg's life. despite the sorrow, it was overwhelmingly positive to feel the support and love extended automatically to us. but more importantly, we were all fortified and so so happy to know that these were the people surrounding and composing greg's life. the fact that i left the weekend with a warm love soaking into my bones is a testament to these fine folks that greg chose and attracted into his life. we learned so much about greg, and now i have another way i can honor his memory: by living life turned up to level 11. i'll do my damndest.

from scotty sewell

Greg will be dearly missed. Greg was always able to find a way to enjoy life while accomplishing his goals. His laughter and smile brought so much to others. Sitting on our boards between sets or waiting for that last wave to catch in, Greg had a way of making all of us laugh. It's been a while since Greg and I had seen each other and the news pours emotions from within. Aloha nui loa to Greg, his family and all of his friends. Ernie and Cayrle, my heart weeps. Scotty Sewell

from chuz and joan sawyer on october 29, 2006

OUR THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOU ON THIS DAY OF GREG'S SERVICES IN CALIFORNIA. WE DID NOT KNOW GREG. HOWEVER, WHEN READING THESE ENTRIES OF HOW MUCH HE WAS LIKE HIS FATHER, IT IS CERTAIN HE WAS A GOOD MAN. LOVE AND PRAYERS TO ALL HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS. CHUZ AND JOAN SAWYER

from christy baummer

I am a cousin of greg's and younger than him. I always looked up to him and thought he was cool - like I wanted to be. I remember: being at his house in MD playing hide and seek and flashlight tag, and him playing with cars or trains; he had a cool bedroom for a kid; the smile that lit up his eyes when he had something funny planned and we didn't know what it was yet; going to the water slide in Ocean City, MD and riding all the slides together; him at my sister's birthday in July when he was little; greg being uncomfortable being the only boy cousin at family get togethers for a while until reid came along and how happy he was to have a boy cousin. It's that genuine smile that I remember most. greg was a man with seemingly unlimited potential.

gregorio memorio

whew. the void that greg left is a painful one to put a grasp on. just reading through all the love, laughs and goodness that was and is greg puts a tearful smirk on this cousin's face. since greg is alive and well in our hearts and memories, here's a few of my own ...

late 70's - hawaii
a family jaunt to the exotic beauty of the pacific to visit the other betz family (and i mean other in the best of ways) is an early, yet vivid memory. as the only other boy cousin still kickin' it at the kids table, greg was the bee's knees in my book. not only was he a bit older than my sisters (and his) and able to wage some authority in the boy/girl rivalries, he had some damn cool stuff. i remember something of his with all kinds of patches, the iron-on type that was a clear sign of prestige in those good days.

early 80's - maryland
aunt chris and uncle chic had a place in ocean city that all the family congregated to on several wonderful occasions. one evening after a full day of beachness, the ice cream truck tempted our bellies with its sweet bells and chimes. in a scramble, all of us younger cousins begged money from whoever was giving and made a mad dash, running at top speed through the underbelly of the buildings on their salty stilts, all the while knowing that speedy greg was our only chance at satisfaction. he proved to be the hero of the day. mmmmm mmm, that ice cream was good.

one morning i was fast asleep in the back porch, comforted by the sounds of the rest of the family eating, chatting and doing whatever else people do in the morning. then a sudden bellow from greg's ass jolts me into consciousness. he ran off, showing his ever-present grin in satisfaction of doing the impossible - waking me before noon. as an aside, i do not recommend this technique, for it does come with the cold dish of revenge.

early 80's - georgia
the betz's come and visit us in hotlanta and we get to go to the kid's dreamland of six flags. however, this boy was a complete wussy and cowered in the thought of getting on one of those crazy contraptions. greg, in a beautiful and generous gesture, offered to ride a lame little kid ride with me. how could one refuse? it was a great ride, and if i remember correctly, was not as tame as one would think.

mid 90's - new york
my dad calls and tells me that greg and i are neighbors in new york city. having not seen each other in some time, coming together as grown adults (i use that term loosely in my case) was quite, well, cool. there was a definite connection between him and i, something in the blood that made us look at one another and nod our heads in silent agreement. what is interesting that, while betz boys like our fathers, there were a number of things from our mom's side, genetically and otherwise that were strong ties. i guess our dad's have similar tastes in their women. impeccable tastes, i might add.

i gotta tell ya, referring to him in the past tense sucks.

late 90's - maryland
this was another sad, sad day - the funeral for our mom mom, our mimi, our grandmother. greg and i stood together on that one. we talked about what a shame it is that we end up not seeing so many old friends and family members until there's a funeral. how true.

early 2000's - new york
sittin' at my desk one fine day in the city, i scooted out early to head to the river and catch the sunset (something that i should do more often). walkin' through the crowds of 14th street, up comes a pair of flip flops carrying gregorio on down the block. a sweet little encounter of chance that i like to think of a reward for deciding to slow down and enjoy things a bit. it somehow makes sense that he would be on the way.

then there was the time heather and i ran into him on the brooklyn subway in the wee hours. many laughs were had that evening (morning?), making good time out of what turned out to be a long journey on a train sitting idle on the tracks as the repair crews worked ahead.

mid 2000's and beyond - any ol' place
here's to all the times that greg will pop up, to that damn grin and the sparkle in his eye, to the low talk amidst laughs, and to all of the other amazing things that we have because of him.

from ernie and cayrle betz

Dear Family and Friends: With great difficulty,and
regret ,that I must inform you of our son,Gregory's, mountain accident on Oct 10TH in La Jolla,Ca. Greg was on a long mountain bike ride,and while crossing a railroad , a Southbound train collision
occurred!Greg's spirit,and soul was immediately placed in God's care.It is a most difficult time for our
family,and his ,and our many close friends! Some of you are already aware of his demise,and the family thanks you for your the out pouring of sorry.Greg was at the top of his life,living a life of photography
work,surfing,mountain biking,and traveling.He was single, only 39, and in super shape,and with his movie star looks,he was very popular with the ladies!Their was a memorial service, last Sunday in a NYC park, with
a large gathering of his New York City friends! On Oct
29th,in La Jolla.CA, .at 9AM, his surfer friends, family, and many other, will honor Greg,with a beach
celabration;his ashes will be deposited by his surfer
buddies at sea; Greg had a special connection with the our oceans,and received magical powers,when he was in the sea!This will be followed by a lunch,and slide show of his life, as he lived it! This is what Greg
reguested to me ,if anything ever shortened his life!
Another memorial service will occurr in Honolulu,Hi on Nov 19th,conducted by his Hawiaaian surfer friends. Family requests no flowers;however, donations
his children's fund will be accepted. Greg loved to
work with,and help small children,and hoped,in the future, to have some of his own.I am saddened to share this information with you;however,Greg would not want
anyone to grieve over his departure. HE lived his life
to the fullest,and although I will dearly miss him, I am
proud to have had him as my son! Thank You,and God Bless! Ernie& Caryle

greg's san diego memorial service

Dear Friends & Family,

For those of you that would like to attend, Greg's memorial service will be held on Sunday, October 29, 2006 at 9:00 a.m. at Calumet Shoreline Park in La Jolla, CA.

Calumet Park is a small park in a residential neighborhood of Bird Rock. It over looks a popular surfing site called Rock Pile. Greg surfed this spot often, and we decided as a family this was the best spot to release his ashes.

Directions/map: http://www.sandiego.gov/park-and-recreation/parks/shoreline/index.shtml

"Head north from Pacific Beach or south from La Jolla to La Jolla Blvd then turn west onto Midway Street, go down two blocks to Calumet Avenue, turn left. The park is about two houses down on the right hand side."

Also, In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to: "Voices for Children, In Memory of Greg Betz," 2851 Meadow Lark Drive, San Diego, CA 92123.

"Voices for Children ("V4C") has direct impact on the lives of San Diego's most vulnerable citizens. V4C is a nonprofit whose purpose is to serve abused, neglected or abandoned children who have become dependents of the San Diego County Court. V4C has a network of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) who work with agencies, lawyers and community resources to help these children navigate the court system, to find a safe foster home or, hopefully, be adopted into a safe and nurturing home.

There approximately 8,000 children who are considered "dependents of the court" in San Diego. Each of these children has a court hearing at least every six months. The lawyers who represent these children handle as many as 400 cases individually and the social workers are often responsible for 40-60 children each. The CASAs are appointed currently to only 10% of these children to advocate on their behalf and "be a voice" for them in this complex and overburdened system. The V4C is the only designated provider of CASAs in San Diego.

http://www.voices4children.com/


Thanks to everyone for your tremendous love and support,
Jennifer & Suzanne

from j.t. "lucky" jordan

I didn't know Greg but I did know his dad when he was a young lifeguard
on the Maryland Ocean City Beach Patrol and my heart goes out to him
for I can only imagine what it would be like to lose my only son Dirk who
like Ernie is a fighter jock for the Air Force.
Hearing about Greg reminds me of that young lifeguard I knew who had a
great sense of humor, multi-faceted athletic ability and made friends
wherever he went. The number of friends in different locations and
activities that have responded to Greg's memory tells me that he was
indeed his father's son.
Do what you want with this as a sincere message of sympathy and respect
to the Betz family and expecially my old friend Ernie.
Sincerely,
J. T. "Lucky" Jordan

Kurt Hoffmann said...

I only knew greg - we called him 'the shark' back then - for a couple years in college in Boulder, but he was one of those rare people who affected you the rest of your life. i will never forget that smile and twinkle in his eyes and you knew things were about to get interesting. he gave me my college nickname (flippy, after some surfer flippy hoffman) which is what most people from that time in my life insist on using to this day. i think greg would be excited to know i still have the skateboard i used to ride around with him in college. my son loves that thing. this is a profound loss. i am so grateful for the spirit you brought to my life.

Kurt Hoffmann

from garrison beau scott

Garrison Beau Scott said...
I went to school with Greg at Brooks and though we weren't tight, I, like a great many other students who came to Brooks after Greg, always looked up to him.

I think everyone wanted to be his friend. My deepest sympathies to the Betz family for their loss.

from christine, swiss miss

Christine (Swiss Miss) said...
Dear Friends and Family of Greg I was a friend of Greg’s from a long time ago in Carpinteria where I met him and Ian during their time at Brooks. Unfortunately we lost contact for many years since I moved back to Switzerland. I often think about my time with good friends like Greg and Ian and all the fun times we had together. From time to time I searched around the internet looking to see if I would find something about their work and what they have done. Now I found this page and I’m totally shocked. Friends and Family of Greg Betz be assured that Greg will be missed all over the Globe and Switzerland especially.
Alish, I really think you said it best that is exactly how I remember Greg. With his big smile and funny wit. A good friend to have fun with but also can talk serious to.
I wish I would have stayed in better contact and would love to know what he did the last few years and what happened to him. (christine@sinnet.ch)
I wish everyone who loves him a lot of strength in this difficult time.
Let’s all think of him and smile because I’m sure that is what he would want to see.
Christine (Swiss Miss)

12:14 PM

this is a spot for anyone who wants to share any thoughts, stories, photos or other musings about the late great greg betz. please feel free to use this blog however you see fit to honor the memory of greg.