...Bulldog Tribute... Posts and Pictures Photo Gallery by venicepix at pbase.com

...Bulldog Tribute... Posts and Pictures

I've been brooding a bit lately about the thread that Kelly started over at the Bulldog Skates Message Board as a tribute to Dennis, and have decided to reproduce some of it over here at venicepix...There are several reasons for this decision
1) Although the Bulldog site provides an incredible free service to the skate community, it can be difficult to locate and/or bookmark an older thread, especially when it is dormant, or in this case closed....
.....2) At 16 pages it can be difficult to navigate. Some of the pages must involve lengthy download times for dial-up. A large portion is understandably devoted to the practical matters of organizing the Paddle Out and establishing a memorial fund. Many of the posts are, though utterly sincere and heartfelt, relatively short and insubstantial .
.....3) Kelly obviously created the thread as a tribute. It really moved me when I first came across it and I really appreciated seeing the pictures, even though I only knew a few of the people who either provided the photos or were depicted within them. Sadly, at some point what started out to be a positive thing deteriorated into something else entirely....

I did not take ANY of the pictures in this particular gallery. They all come from the Bulldog tribute, so they are already out there on the web. I have tried to bring along any photo credits and identify the person who posted them when it seems appropriate.

The Comments below on this page are all copy/pasted from Bulldog, as much as possible in the same order (from the bottom up as is the pbase system). I've obviously chosen those that seem more substantial to me and left many behind, and I stopped at the point that the thread seemed to begin to get off track. At that point I've put in a little spacer and anyone can now contribute their further memories. One caution: this page is meant to be a memorial tribute to Dennis. I can, and will, delete negative additions and/or moral/ethical/religious dissertations or self indulgent diatribes!.

.....I suppose this all might be seen as a rip-off but, as you all must have realized by now, I'm not making a penny from this site. I assume that you will let me know if I have offended anyone, but I sincerely hope that this version of the Bulldog pages will serve to pull people back together and not split them apart. I just wanted to re-create something that his sons might be proud to show their friends.... which is exactly what I believe Kelly strove to create in the first place....

WOULD ANYONE CARE TO IDENTIFY SOME OF THE PEOPLE IN THESE PICTURES? I HAVEN'T SEEN ANY OF THEM IN AT LEAST 15 YEARS...

from Kelly stickerwave3.jpg	from Kelly pbadrianaaronme.jpg	f5a88824.jpg	Polar-Bear.jpg
zz17379a26.jpg	Z-FLEX_polar_bear_invert from Aaron Scott.jpg	74e4b767.jpg	443eb512.jpg
a3aeffb9.jpg	a6f2ec10.jpg	From Jff Donovan and Chris Olden.jpg	pb01.jpg
from wes w caption.jpg	from Annette6487f061 .jpg	from Alicia278247af.jpg	from Alicia c3af3ce7.jpg
from Alicia 971201ce.jpg	from Alicia cfa9dd93.jpg	09c4b107 from annette.jpg	from Annette 2822d96a .jpg
:: Billy's Paddle-out Pictures ::	from Alicia 8ae29785.jpg	from Alicia fb42c617.jpg	from Aliciafc09a874.jpg
from Kellypbweb.jpg	RIPPB3.jpg	ZPBbrdweb2.jpg

comment

dtchick		25-Aug-2012 09:39
alot of friends Gone...Biniak,Cahill...Missing alot of People from Venice High School, Chris Domino,Randy Alioth,Pat Sleeper,Boner,Kevin McComb,Lynn Ball,Richard Earhart,Mike Martinez,Stuart Horton,Jane Yamashita,,,so much more..Kent Martin is Terminally ill,Love the memeories...the Pavillion,POP,Cove,Bicknell Hill,Bay Street,Surf Flicks @ SM Civic~Thanks for the Pics...They are priceless~Dtchick Anita

Guest		02-Aug-2012 00:35
I just got his z flex board and it's sweet!

Guest		02-Aug-2012 00:34
Hi

Tracy Adams		09-Jul-2012 11:49
So much to say but Dillon and I dont talk about how much he is missed everyday...I'm sure it's been cleared up many times above but they called him Polar Bear Cuz he'd surf in the winter without a wet suit......his words....HE WAS MY FIRST BOYFRIEND AND THE FATHER OF MY ONLY CHILD....yes I was young and yes I wish he was here but he is GOLDEN FOREVER.....and is watching over us....doing from there what he just couldn't do here. It's so weird to read what people write and I know it's been years....but his bday triggered me to look stuff up....7-6-62.....12 years older than me....

harold.fillingame		24-Mar-2011 20:49
Hi I knew dennis all his life you see im his cousin glenn, and he treated everyone like family, and would do anything for you, a very giving person,the last time i seen him, he gave me a great big bear hug which was his way. May He Rest In peace!!! haroldfillingame@yahoo.com

Guest		15-Jun-2009 15:18
I miss him to

Guest		15-Jun-2009 15:14
im dillon thank you for all you've said

J.H.		24-Jul-2008 20:26
john hands 7-23-o8 i lived with my preacher dad on venice bld. from 1970 on polar bear his brother ducky drew and for a while dell grant. lived down the street from us on venice bld.polar bear and i hookled up about 1973. he used to see me going surfing every morning after some time i told him ti come surf with me. we used to go out on the cooldest mornings in mid winter. he could not afford a wet suit so all of us locals gave him his name polar bear cause he had a lot of baby fat. i still have pictures of me surfing the north side of b.w.lefts in 1974 with bear in the back ground with no wet suit on when we all had them on.thoes are truly days we that were there will never forget.the last time i saw bear was at the hand ball corts. i was riding my bike by. i stopped to talk with him he told me about the problmes with his mom and him self. i felt sad but i had my own problems my self with drugs and booze.i bid bear fare well and that was the last time a i saw himm next thing i heard he was gone for good, i tried to get to the wake but i was in a rehab .now i have a clear head free of drugs and alc. so all the great times we had together surfing and hanging out .love ya bro1 j.H. V.B.W.L ..

Jeanell		24-Dec-2007 06:21
When I heard about Polar Bear's death...I cried for so long it seemed. He was a great friend to me back during the Marina days and I have NEVER forgotten his kindness. I lived in the ghetto and there were not many positive influences in that life. HE was my positive. Even though we partied together I always knew I was safe with him. He was always a gentleman to me and respectful. When we skated at the Marina, he helped me in so many ways. He was very much like a brother to me. It has been a very long time since I've seen "Bear" and George Wilson...lol...I wonder if he would remember me. It was awesome to hear he was clean and sober. I, too, now have 14 yrs sobriety, so I know the incredible struggle he went thru. He had an amazing heart and there was nothing fake about him. "Dennis, my good friend, may you rest in peace and be our guardian angel for your friends, family and those who did not have the pleasure of knowing such a man as you." Christian and Dillon, your father was truly a good man in most every way, remember his great love for you...I'm sure he is very proud of both of you. Stay Strong Zboys...POP always. Jeanell aka "Tink"

PETE MAYOTTE		02-Dec-2007 20:28
I LOVED YOU LIKE, A BIG BROTHER. YOU LOOKED OUT FOR ME. WHEN YOU GAVE ME ONE OF YOUR OLD BOARDS , BECAUSE I DID NOT HAVE ONE. I WEPT WITH JOY. YOU LOOKED OUT FOR THE LITTLE GUY. THE GUY WHO COULDN'T LOOK OUT , FOR HIMSELF. THAT MADE YOU A GIANT TO ME. YOU ARE AND WERE, PxB AND YOU BOARD SLID INTO PEOPLE'S LIVES AND MADE THEM BETTER FOR IT. R.I.P DENNIS AGNEW. YOUR LIL BRO PETE MAYOTTE

META ZIMMERMAN		03-Sep-2007 10:45
OH MAN THIS IS REALLY HARD, JUSTIN, JUD, AND I, META, ALSO LOST OUR MOTHER IN 2000, IT TOO TOOK EVERTHING OUT OF ME WHEN SHE PASSED, JUD ASKED ME TO READ HER EULOGY SHE WASN'T IN VENICE ANYMORE, SHE WAS IN THE HILL'S. I KNEW I HAD TO GO HOME TO VENICE" ALONE W/ MY THOUGHT'S. IT WAS THE HARDES'T THING TO DATE IVE EVER DONE, NEXT TO ALL OF US LOCAL'S SAYING GOODBYE TO MY DAD, GORDON Z, SAND CRAB MAN" OUT AT BREAK- WATER, WHERE HE TOO WAS BORN AND RAISED. I KNEW BEAR.... BACK IN THE DAY W/ LISA SAX THERE WAS BIG SAX AND LIL SAX " JANA. BIG FLECHTER 'LISA AND LIL FLECHTER 'NORA. AND I META, HE KNEW ALL OF US LIL-GIRLS HE CALLED US, HAD THE BIGGEST CRUSH ON HIM" AND HE LOVED IT, NO HE LOOOOOVED IT, I REMEMBER ALL OF US 13 WE WERE "WOW 13 THAT'S AN APPROPRIATE # FOR THIS" WHEN WE WENT TO THE SKATE PARK, HE WAS THEIR W/ DA BOYZ OF COURSE AND HIS CHICK " LISA SAX. THROUGH THE YEARS AS WE GREW AND CHANGED OF COURSE OUR CONNECTION W/ HIM DID TOO. I ADORED BEAR W/ ALL MY HEART, HE WAS ONE OF THE LAST PEOPLE I SAW IN THE LAST DAYS BEFORE TEVA AND I MOVED TO HAWAII, HE WAS AT AN AA MEETING NEXT TO BRILL'S AUTO, I STOPPED TO TALK TO HIM, TOLD HIM OF MY PLAN'S I CAN STILL SEE HIS SMILING EYES " NO WAY YOUR OUTTA HERE HUH, IM SOO STOKED FOR YOU" WE HUGGED REAL HARD AND LIKE SOMEONE BEFORE ME SAID, YOU JUST DONT IF THAT'S THE LAST TIME YOU'LL SEE THAT PERSON. BEAR YOU WERE SUCH A HUGE PART OF MY TEENIE YRS, THANX FOR THE BIGGEST CRUSH, AND BEST FRIEND I EVER HAD.... THE NITE THE NEW'S HIT KAUAI, I DON,T REMEMBER HOW "MAETA" MAYBE, I WAS, SOOO BUMMED, WE SISTA'S HAVE LOST WAY TOO MANY OF OUR BRADDAH'S I NEVER HAD THE PLEASURE TOO MEET HIS CHILDREN, I KNOW ONE THING FOR SURE... THEY WILL HEAR STORIES ABOUT THE" LEGEND THEIR FATHER WAS FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIFE... ALOHA TO HIS FAMILY, HE WAS THE ORIGINAL Z -BOY! TRUE BLUE 'POLORIZED BEAR" XO META ZIMMERMAN METAZ7@HOTMAIL.COM

Rick		29-Aug-2007 17:54
These guys were all like gods to me growing up. I was so young and secluded I didn't even really have access to their names. I just knew about pool riding and would see pictures or hear something every now and again. I lived in a very small mid-western town with dirt roads during the 70s. Not the best skating. My friends and I used to slalom down this big hill that led to the beach in town. One of the only paved roads. There was a small parking lot with some curbs we used for jumps and things but no real competition so we eventually moved on to other crazy shit. Mostly diving off of some very tall rocks into very shallow water. That was our testosterone boost I guess. Nowhere near the art that guys like Dennis created riding the asphalt and concrete. Maybe he did give his heart completely... at least he did to skating. No one can deny that. No one can reach that level without doing so. May he R.I.P.

Guest		08-Sep-2005 03:41
Thank you Dave, for doing this... And Kelly, and Alicia, and everyone else who conributed to the photos and memories. At the paddle out George Wilson really described Bear's generous creative enthusiastic beautiful spirit, the best of Venice! Bear is and will always be part of the true spirit of Venice that we love. ¡Bear presente! ¡Bear siempre!

venicepix		08-Sep-2005 01:15
=================================================================== THIS IS THE END OF THE POSTS BROUGHT OVER FROM BULLDOG ===================================================================

andy schacht		08-Sep-2005 01:12
5/30/05 at 02:18 PM I just found out about Polar Bear the other day. In shock cuz Polar Bear brings back memories. I met Polar Bear when I was 16. I got a ride with him and the boyz in that red VW bus up to Oxnard. by the time we got there I was in no condition to do much but Polar Bear and the rest of the crew would tear it up. PB was always kind to me. pure Venice. I remember like it was yesterday standing by the Dog Bowl at Marina and him popping out into a stalled out invert fully extended then landing near the bottom of the bowl with little transition. It was raw and radical to watch , he always pulled it off. He was doing those R+R coping slides that went on 'til he'd stall out then drop in. His style of skating was unto himself. Nothing about it polished or manufactured like today. Pure and raw. He'd blow me away and look back with that grin.. Polar Bear Thanks for some great memories.. andy schacht

ernie brown		08-Sep-2005 01:11
4/29/05 at 10:24 PM I don't even really know where to start--- at Marina Del Ray Skatepark, Polar Bear had been like a big brother to me---I started skating at Marina in 1980 and he just basically showed me how to skate, he took me down to Z-Flex and hooked me up with decks----Man, he was just showed me love-- to this day, he is truely one of the dopest skaters I've ever seen skate--power and grace---pure Venice. Rest In Peace--big homie ernie brown

Art and Steve Godoy		08-Sep-2005 01:11
4/26/05 at 11:26 AM Art and Steve Godoy here, We used to tattoo with Polar Bear in Venice in 96 and 97 at House of Tattoos...we always had a great time working with Bear. It was great because not only did we used to see him in the mags as kids, but we worked with him and became friends later in life. He was a pleasure to know. We used to laugh real hard everyday at the tattoo shop...sometimes, we'd paddle out before work... We are very sorry to hear about his death... Respectfully, the Godoys

Alicia		08-Sep-2005 01:09
4/24/05 at 07:10 AM Very well written, Kelly! So good to see you and Sam again. Your son is gorgeous! Christian had so much fun after the Memorial for his father .I thank Bear for an Awesome son. Christian and I have so much fun together, he is like Bear, down for anything! I remember on one special San Felipe trip Bear and I had when he was clean and clear...We would pray and meditate on the beautiful white sand beach in the morning. He would say,"Breathe in God, Breathe out the bad". He was very spiritual. Thank you Kelly for seeing him clearly. I knew the true Bear, he was home every night and a sweet hubby and Dad. One thing that got to him was guilt. So, I posted a huge sticker in his bathroom that said,"SCREW GUILT"!! I was like,"Come on, get over it! No matter what you have done, where you have been, you can start a clean slate today "! A Lesson for all of us..Please don't let anything or anybody get you down! You are right, NONE of us are purr-fect. If some of us could just let go of those inner demons. Practice forgiveness and just be Happy! (Thank You again to Bear's TRUE Amigos who showed his son love after the Memorial!!) Take Care! Alicia

Kelly vbwl		08-Sep-2005 01:08
4/23/05 at 02:52 AM from kelly Bear was a great friend, and an example, to me, and other 80's, DT'rs...(and of course too MANY MANY others) Not just on how to 'rip' and 'take things to the limit,' but on how NOT to be a dick about it. How to be a MAN, how to take things in stride and as it comes. But if, and when you absolutely "have too" then and only then, when you have to react, react like a SOLDIER". Things he learned from legends like Dale Grant (who adopted him) We might act arrogant but it is for more than just the things involving skateboarding, but how we as humans have experienced life, Ghetto life, and in the way intended for us, in the proper way. Trying to do the best we can.. Making the right decisions (and most often being seen for our worst.) PAYING DUES in real life time, with good Karma.

Billy Mil Mil		08-Sep-2005 01:07
4/11/05 at 02:08 PM Joe Shmo putting it down ,sober style he was, to me one of the best speakers outside of Denise, I'm proud of you Shmo and I'm sure Bear was proud of his sister that day !!! Going thru this myself far to many times personally I can tell you all this. The Family of Dennis Agnew will remember that day forever, when Family sees and hears just how much their loved one touched the lives of others, it brings a bit of pride, of not being alone with sense of loss . At some point or another we will all have to give a eulogy , some of us more than others. some less. but we all will have to do it , I don't wish that task on anybody . Denise again, your brother smiled down with Pride that day . Believe that Billy

Alicia and Christian		08-Sep-2005 01:05
Thank you Bulldog for helping us post those! Thanks Julie!! You are awesome! (I have more pics, too!) I saw all the great skate photos and thought everyone would like to see some more recent ones. We have loved reading all these beautiful words on this post! I am going to save it all in a scrap book for Christian and Dillon and they will know how many loved their Father. Polar Bear was not just a great skater, he was so multi-talented. He was also a great surfer, snowboarder, fisherman (and could cook a killer lobster dinner!),scuba diver, and loved kayaking. He was also a very loving father and husband. I am looking so forward to seeing all of you Sunday. This will be a good reunion for us all to see one another! Christian is so lucky to see all of his Daddy's amigos, please come say hi to him. He's definitely got his Daddy's attitude~No Fear! It's so great to be around people who don't care what others think and live life like everyday is the last!! (It's 2 Short!) Let's live and let live, love one another and have a great time for Bear! Celebrate his life, because there were truly some magical times..for All of us! Peace, Alicia and Christian

OGPOPAnton		08-Sep-2005 01:04
Man, I found about PB Saturday before last. I walked into the skate contest at the church ramps in Venice and JH says to me "sign Polar Bears board" and I sez "sure, why whats up with Bear" and the news was like a shot to the gut. I hadn't planned on drinking that day, but I needed some beer after that. And it took more than a few to dull the pain. I first met PB surfing Station 27 and the Tee's area, way back in the early 70's when he was just a little grom, (not that I wasn't one also, I'm just a few years older but it seams like alot when your fourteen). He used to always be with Dale Grant who was like his uncle or somthing. Dale was a gnarler enforcer guy, but he was really cool to all the guys on OUR side (I wonder where he is). I watched as PB grew up as we all did over the years and we were all really proud of his skating exploits. He was always a really nice guy too, nothing went to his head. He lived around the corner from me years later in the late 90's and I used to bump into him when I would be out running in the hood with my dog. I hadn't seen him in a few years when I bumped into him at the Bicknell Hill slalom jam thing we all had a while back and when I went to shake hands he grabbed me in a big ol' bear hug instead. The world is a little bit less shiny without him. We'll all miss ya PB, Anton PS See y'all at the paddle out....

Pep Williams		08-Sep-2005 01:02
4/01/05 at 05:28 PM I just found out about about Polar Bear.I was totally blown away.I have some good memories of Bear.In the late 80's I would always bump into bear at the LAX bus terminal headed to Venice.Each time he saw me comming he knew it was slappy time.Sometimes we would let 2 and 3 busses pass us by because we would be so into killing the curbs together.And the bus rides were the best.He would tell me about the marina days and my eyes would just be wide open and I was so into the stories. I had'nt seen bear in about a year but when ever I would bump into him at the tatoo shop on the beach to give him wheels we would always talk about our bus rides. I'll miss you bro, Pep Williams

Eddie Hadvina		08-Sep-2005 01:02
3/31/05 at 06:26 PM Polar Bear was a real cool dude...he was the real deal. He was slightly younger than me, but I tell you what...we fawken partied back in da day.

donald campbell		08-Sep-2005 01:01
3/31/05 at 03:48 PM i second paul's statement about polar bear and skating with him. i spent the summer of 79 at marina and was,honestly said,very shy and restrictive about skating either the d-bowl or the upper keyhole,since all those guys were so good.as a matter of fact it was polar bear and few others of his crew who encouraged me to go for it and gave me all the good vibes.so i left marina that summer having had more than a good time,being accepted and welcomed with open hands by the local crew.bear was always a supernice and very kind guy with an aggressive style,rivaled by a few only. right now,right here,i want to say a final "thank you" to bear for being such a kind person.dietsches,my friend,visited him a few years ago,since bear is also an omsa member.he was more than shocked to hear the news of bears death. our deepest feelings and sympathies go to the family of the bear. his death shocked the european side equally hard as it did the usa. he will always reamain in our hearts though.

Paul Hoffman		08-Sep-2005 01:00
3/31/05 at 01:46 AM I can remember skating the Marina Dog Bowl with Polar Bear and Jimmy Plummer in 1979 without anybody else but the three of us from 11:00 too 2:00 in the morning. Jimmy and Polar Bear were both a lot more talented pool riders than I was (shit, Polar Bear was probably the best in the new Dog Bowl by far). Polar Bear was one of the nicest people you could ever meet...he did not care who you were or how talented you could skate. To him, if you were having fun...that was all that mattered. That night, I can remember sitting in the shallow end watching Polar Bear do around a hundred “rock and roll” slides across the whole shallow end of the pool after doing a power grind across the deep end. Man, I can still hear the sound. He would grind the coping so hard in the middle of the night…it was like some kind of punk music, but it was a beautiful sight and sound…one that I will never forget. The good ones always die first… Paul Hoffman.

Ray M. Klein		08-Sep-2005 00:59
3/29/05 at 10:09 PM Always one of my favorite skaters. A piece of that era and a small part of each of that lived that lifestyle has died. Long Live Polar Bear! We should all be so fortunate to have such an outpouring of emotion, memories and support from our friends and family when we pass. Nice to see he had made an impact on the collective soul. R.I.P.

mofo		08-Sep-2005 00:57
3/26/05 at 01:15 PM I was in Venice/SM Monday and Tuesday, and learned of Polar Bear's passing from Red Dog during a lunch meeting. My journey took me from there to Ray Flores doorstep, then a meal with Stacy and Skipper prior to my heading further south towards San Diego prior to heading up to San Jose and Santa Cruz area, a path that included business meetings with several skate brethren, and ending with a BBQ at NorCal skate legend and PB pal Robt. "Fly" Schlaefli. The sad news either only just preceeded me, or accompanied me across many doorsteps. From the offices of Tumyeto, Planet Earth, Madrid, ABC Skateboards, Blitz Dist., Giant Dist., The Skateboard Mag, TA at Alva skates, Dark Horse and NHS/Santa Cruz Skateboards. I experienced the repeaeted scene of sorrow, sadness, loss, reflection and revealing of either long buried memories of shared moments with PB, or recollections of the impression he made upon them through the legend of his skating, and descriptions of the GEF photos that we ALL picture in our minds when we think of him. It was a unique experience to follow the wave of this sad news and to share it's path and see the effect that an individual had on so many people from differing circles of skate-culture. It truly defines that person as having been and will remain a legend. I never met him that I can recall. But know of him? You better believe it. A memory of a burly rider. My heartfelt feelings of sadness for those closest to him, (GW old pal, and Kelly I hear ya) to your loss, and the loss to the skate-world. I feel that he has taken his spot in the shallow end at the great perfect pool in the sky. -mofo

daniel mcclure dandan		08-Sep-2005 00:56
3/23/05 at 09:31 PM I've been trying to avoid this post from the day Kelly posted it as if it wasn't true or it would just go away.......then Wes had to go and put up that photo of the z-flex crew. That was a very special time of my life and Dennis was a part of it. I was just a grom like the two young guys in the back of the line-up (Frog and Solo) and looked up to Dennis as well as the others. He was truly one of the O.G. surfer skaters from the area and will live on forever in my thoughts and prayers. I want to share my grief with all of you and remind you to keep your memories of Dennis alive in your hearts as he would do the same for any one of you ........

Julie		08-Sep-2005 00:55
3/23/05 at 12:48 PM Friends of Polar Bears, I want to answer some obvious questions. Im sure the news is coming as such a shock, and i want to say, Bear was clean and caring for his dying mother in OK these last almost 4 months. He had a bad year prior, I dont know where he got the strength to face the inevitable in OK, and alone.... But those who know Bear, there's nothing he wont do for someone he loves. He was by his mother's side, while lonely and homesick, displaced. still he loved and honored his mother and family beyond words, and no matter what it took, he was gonna stay till the end with his mom. No matter what Bear has ever done or where He has ever been, He eventually finds a way to make the best of it. find His place. make a name, and it was happening there pretty fast for Him. Tattooing started keeping him busy, something to do with His energy, creative outlet, balancing the reality he was there to face and embrace. So what Im saying i guess is he was starting to reinvent himself, build a future there. Bear was always in the moment. wherever he went, there He was. I spoke with Him all the time. He was my Bear again. the Bear i knew, not the way He had been the prior year. It was so sweet to have him back, GOD, i missed him so bad for so long, when he was here, tho miles away, it was the first time I felt close to the real bear and no words to describe my gratitude for that chance. Funny thing bout life and death, sometimes we get the chance to tie up loose ends, make ammends, see, unknowingly for the last time, key people, and he had some of that before he passed. Bear's heart was bad and had been for years. Many times I was at the hospitals with him for it. His mother passed from cancer the day the hospice nurse said she would. But that morning, the call i expected, wasnt that His mother passed, but that Bear had too. OMFG! NOT BEAR! WHY BEAR! They said the family was all together, everything got taken care of, Bear was the strength for everyone, according to his sister, caring for and consoling everyone, including his babyboy Dillon. After so much emotion, energy spent, they all took some time out to rest. As it turned out, Bear's heart which he gave so completely to everyone, had given all that was physically left of it that morning. He was found by his sister Denise. She said he just looked like he was sleeping peacefully, but anyone would know something was wrong, cause he wasnt snoring ::grin:: I spoke with bear for a long time the night before, as did 2 others of is closest friends, there was love, there was everything said one would wish got said, had we known. Im so grateful for that. He knew he was loved. We'll get his sister here asap, she says aprox 2 weeks, so we, his brothers and sisters, can have a memorial how he wanted it. The details are coming together, we will make it as true to our beloved brother, and to us, whom he loved(loves) and need this process to pay our respects, Local style. Your posts make me so proud. I can just hear him sayin "right on" reading all your posts over my shoulder on this computer. Bear was the opitome of the word "bro". He loved you all and His beach and boardwalk. changed all our lives, will always be the only one of a kind. I always ended my letters to him the way i will end this note to all of you, Soft Paths, Safe Journey Gentle thoughts, Julie p.s.s. so sorry for the long-ass wordy post. he hated that i talked too much lol. "i know i know, Bear. :::smile:::"

Dave Hegstrom		08-Sep-2005 00:53
3/23/05 at 10:35 AM ...very bummed to hear about Polar Bear. He was one of the gnarliest ever! I witnessed his mega 3 second stall inverts and sick hip ollies at Marina and was totally blown away by him...he was very cool to us kids too...he once even helped me and my buds learn rocks in the shallow end of the dogbowl...and he frickin' ripped the crap outta the first and upper keyholes bigtime...super manly style-very ahead of his time. No one ever skated the first (front) keyhole at Marina like him either...he'd be doing wheelers and pivots...and that thing was deeper than hell! Anyways, I am sorry that another brother is gone. RIP Polar Bear.

Annette Z.		08-Sep-2005 00:52
3/22/05 at 09:47 PM There will be a memorial service held in honor of Polar Bear at Venice Breakwater in a few weeks. He requested his ashes be scattered into the ocean. He also wanted a traditional Hawaiian paddle out. We will keep you posted as soon as we have the date. I know he would want all his buds there. He was an amazing person and skater and will be soooo missed by myself and alot of others - it's hard for me to express it. He was such an awesomely generous and warm person who'd give the shirt off his back to help out a friend. We had alot of good memories together. Also, if anybody knows how to get ahold of Andy Landmark please let me know. We'll post more info shortly. I love and miss you Bear. Your girl forever, Annette Z.

David Rogerson		08-Sep-2005 00:52
3/23/05 at 12:24 AM Bear... Brother, I know you had a hard road. When you touched my life, you were in the light...and brought a lot of it into my world. Reaching out and bringing me into your home, and family like a brother...you became my brother. I worked with you every day, you helping me learn the trade that bought my home, built my bowl..I even potty-trained your elder son, Dylan...who called me "Uncle Dave"...fixed dinners with you at the pad we shared on Gilmore in MarVista every night I stayed with ya...talking about life, tattooing each other, and learning the way to a sober, good life. When the darkness crept back in your life, I tried to always be a true brother....I pray to be a better friend in the next life...I am sorry to see you join your brother David in an early exit from this world...and hope the light again warms your face in your new life. I love you brother...may you always be shined upon. Your bro, "Uncle Dave"

Todd		08-Sep-2005 00:51
3/22/05 at 10:12 PM Dennis you were all ways a good friend to me, at Mark Twain Jr High you were the cat , but you never tripped. You just said come with us. The spun Looie cutbacks were so rad and it seemed your 360's went forever.Punk Rock when we finaly got you to cut your hair! and Chaz' pad with Doug. Four Floors on the beach was a gas man.And the Turkey Bowl where Rex broke his arm? Dude you will be missed. You Ducky and your mom rest in peace. Vbwl Plate

Kelly vbwl		08-Sep-2005 00:49
3/21/05 at 10:56 PM Aye Norge, You might be from Florida, but your an OG straight up to us youngsters, That was cool hangin with you on Fri. and listenen to you talk about Dale. You guys made us all so stoked because of your abilities and attitude. Just cool ass peeps, that could back that shit up with skills. When people see me on here talking shit and getting into it with fools it stems from holding down that respect to you guys and PB, Because PB would back up a friend in a second and was always intelligent enough to express himself honestly without hang ups, he would tell you straight out that he loved you. And he was GNARLY, and a GNARLY guy that wasnt afraid to express realness. TOO FUCKING REAL FOR THE BULLSHIT WORLD Respect homie Kel

George Wilson		08-Sep-2005 00:48
3/21/05 at 07:33 PM Man, I don't even know where to begin.I OWE so much to Polar Bear.I landed in Venice with Shogo in 1978 from Florida with the dream of livin in LA.and skating with all the boyz.I had $200.00 to my name and no where to stay. Shogo took me to Z and hooked me up with polar bear, he said I could stayat his place.Little did I know it was in the middle of the hood.I've read a lot of the stuff on these boards since the DT.documentary came out. I'm telling you respect was earned not given.I owe a lot to polar bear for opening the door for me. The door was open but I wasn't given a hall pass.I had to prove myself, day in and day out.I've been going through so many emotions and memories in the last couple of hours. I've lived in Venice & SM. for 27 yrs.I truely feel if it wasn't for Polar Bear I may not have been able to stay.A lot of people know how good he was for a while during marina. He was the best skater in the world hands down period. He did the heaviest stalled inverts, the gnarliest R&R boardslides from deep to shallow,and his hip blasts. He was also a very good surfer.That is how he got his name polar bear. He was a pudgy, little, white kid surfing the breakwater with no wetsuit.I'm sorry to ramble so much.I feel this is something I had to put out there.I will never forget you my brother, friend & teammate.Thanks for all the memories. REST IN PEACE!!!

Kelly vbwl		08-Sep-2005 00:47
3/21/05 at 04:35 PM Man.... Another dear friend.... SAD FUCKING DAY!!!!!!!!!

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