Below is a collection of material to remind us about the amazing and wonderful life of Wallace Briggs Westfeldt
We thank our local and extended community, friends and family for your beautiful support to us. We are deeply humbled and gratified by your kindness.
For those of you who were not there, we had two gatherings to remember and celebrate Wallace. One of them was on the snow at Snowmass with an open microphone, and the second was at Buttermilk where specific speakers were chosen. To all the young people, both contemporaries and young athletes that Wallace had coached, your eloquence and spirit are like his: full of love, vitality, and vibrance. You inspire us and we're grateful.
Remember that Wallace's spirit is found more in the memories and meanings of his life rather than those of his death. Please help us(and yourselves) with that understanding.
If you wish to contribute your thoughts on Wallace, email them to wwweems@gmail.com and we will post them when appropriate. Of, if you wish, you may add your thoughts in a comment on any of the posts below.
Thank you
The Westfeldts
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Will, Alex and Oliver: young riders from the club (AVSC)
From Will Adams
I heard a quote once. It went like this: “What lies behind us, and what lies ahead of us, is nothing compared to what lies within us.” I believe Wallace is what lies within us. What lies behind us is this awful event that has happened to this wonderful person. Wallace was a friend as well as a fellow snowboarder and my role model. I know that he wouldn’t want what lies behind us to negatively affect what lies ahead of us. I never really got to know him until this summer when he went to Windells with me. Before that though, I always saw him on the mountain and even though I didn’t really know him well, he would always put a smile on my face to match his. I am glad I got the honor to know Wallace. Now I believe this quote should go a different way. I think it should go like this: “What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us is nothing compared to what Wallace has put in our hearts.
From Alex Goldsmith
I have so many great and amazing memories of Wallace but this one really stands out in my mind as incredible. It is from about 5 years ago when I first started with the AVSC snowboard program. I did not know Wallace yet but I guess you could say I already looked up to him. I had heard so many stories about him being an amazing snowboarder and more importantly, a person that I was dying to meet. The day I finally met him was the day of a preseason trip to Copper Mt. I have always been a shy kid so I was a bit nervous because everyone I was traveling with was much older than me. Somehow I was lucky enough to end up sitting next to Wallace for the drive. He talked to me and asked me about myself. I’m sure it wasn’t very enjoyable for him because I probably wasn’t very talkative but he sure didn’t let me know that. I remember that night going to bed with a sense of relief knowing that I had finally met him. Him being the most amazing person I have ever met and my only true hero. That whole trip I learned more from just riding with Wallace and talking to him than I had the whole season before that. There was no way that doing anything with Wallace could end up dire because he had the most amazing outlook on life. Any day was incredible with Wallace. Thank you Wallace for all the amazing things you have taught me about life and snowboarding.
From Oliver Bacharach
Weems and Nancy...I wanted to let you know you had the best son anyone could ask for, a great snowboarder, nice, and one of my biggest role-models and still is. All of my prayers are to you and your family. I cannot even imagine what you are going through. Wallace was a great kid I just wish I could have spent more time with him. I still think about him and the times we had together every day, every minute. I, and everyone else, loved him so much, and he will always be with us. You did a great job on raising such an amazing kid. Wallace will stay an inspiration to me for years to come.
I heard a quote once. It went like this: “What lies behind us, and what lies ahead of us, is nothing compared to what lies within us.” I believe Wallace is what lies within us. What lies behind us is this awful event that has happened to this wonderful person. Wallace was a friend as well as a fellow snowboarder and my role model. I know that he wouldn’t want what lies behind us to negatively affect what lies ahead of us. I never really got to know him until this summer when he went to Windells with me. Before that though, I always saw him on the mountain and even though I didn’t really know him well, he would always put a smile on my face to match his. I am glad I got the honor to know Wallace. Now I believe this quote should go a different way. I think it should go like this: “What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us is nothing compared to what Wallace has put in our hearts.
From Alex Goldsmith
I have so many great and amazing memories of Wallace but this one really stands out in my mind as incredible. It is from about 5 years ago when I first started with the AVSC snowboard program. I did not know Wallace yet but I guess you could say I already looked up to him. I had heard so many stories about him being an amazing snowboarder and more importantly, a person that I was dying to meet. The day I finally met him was the day of a preseason trip to Copper Mt. I have always been a shy kid so I was a bit nervous because everyone I was traveling with was much older than me. Somehow I was lucky enough to end up sitting next to Wallace for the drive. He talked to me and asked me about myself. I’m sure it wasn’t very enjoyable for him because I probably wasn’t very talkative but he sure didn’t let me know that. I remember that night going to bed with a sense of relief knowing that I had finally met him. Him being the most amazing person I have ever met and my only true hero. That whole trip I learned more from just riding with Wallace and talking to him than I had the whole season before that. There was no way that doing anything with Wallace could end up dire because he had the most amazing outlook on life. Any day was incredible with Wallace. Thank you Wallace for all the amazing things you have taught me about life and snowboarding.
From Oliver Bacharach
Weems and Nancy...I wanted to let you know you had the best son anyone could ask for, a great snowboarder, nice, and one of my biggest role-models and still is. All of my prayers are to you and your family. I cannot even imagine what you are going through. Wallace was a great kid I just wish I could have spent more time with him. I still think about him and the times we had together every day, every minute. I, and everyone else, loved him so much, and he will always be with us. You did a great job on raising such an amazing kid. Wallace will stay an inspiration to me for years to come.
Ben Westfeldt
Wallace,
My Brother, my friend,
I miss you so much, words will never be enough. I have kept praying and dreaming that this is not real and that you will come back to me. Your love for life, snowboarding, and people is so contagious. You touched so many people and they are all here to see you. Most of all, you have touched me.
You and Patrick were the best brothers I could ever dream of. You were always there for me, even when I would piss you off! I will always remember you getting up before me and waking me up to go ride. As I resisted you would tell me, “It’s sunny and sick!” or that “It’s dumping out!”
I have been waking up waiting for that moment and yet it has not happened. However, I can’t help but think that you have already awakened and are endlessly riding in sunny and sick powder days and that each morning you are calling down to me to get up and ride, to enjoy life, and to spread the happiness as you did.
Wallace, you will always be a part of my heart, soul, and body.
I AM WALLACE BRIGGS WESTFELDT.
I will always love you,
Your brother,
Ben
My Brother, my friend,
I miss you so much, words will never be enough. I have kept praying and dreaming that this is not real and that you will come back to me. Your love for life, snowboarding, and people is so contagious. You touched so many people and they are all here to see you. Most of all, you have touched me.
You and Patrick were the best brothers I could ever dream of. You were always there for me, even when I would piss you off! I will always remember you getting up before me and waking me up to go ride. As I resisted you would tell me, “It’s sunny and sick!” or that “It’s dumping out!”
I have been waking up waiting for that moment and yet it has not happened. However, I can’t help but think that you have already awakened and are endlessly riding in sunny and sick powder days and that each morning you are calling down to me to get up and ride, to enjoy life, and to spread the happiness as you did.
Wallace, you will always be a part of my heart, soul, and body.
I AM WALLACE BRIGGS WESTFELDT.
I will always love you,
Your brother,
Ben
Packy Westfeldt
Wallace died on a day more perfect than any, and on a day where he was riding at his best. As I watched him die I died too. Only, I was lucky enough to live again with him inside of me.
Wallace snowboarded because it made him happy and because it made other people’s lives like mine better. It connected him to the world around him and to the best people in the world, his friends. It was a pursuit to find meaning, and a pursuit to impact the world. Believe me, he FOUND meaning. And he has impacted my world so immensely that I have become him, just a much less perfect version. This is the greatest honor I could have ever hoped for. I am proud to be Wallace’s brother. I AM WALLACE BRIGGS WESTFELDT.
Wallace snowboarded because it made him happy and because it made other people’s lives like mine better. It connected him to the world around him and to the best people in the world, his friends. It was a pursuit to find meaning, and a pursuit to impact the world. Believe me, he FOUND meaning. And he has impacted my world so immensely that I have become him, just a much less perfect version. This is the greatest honor I could have ever hoped for. I am proud to be Wallace’s brother. I AM WALLACE BRIGGS WESTFELDT.
Nancy Bogle Westfeldt
I come before you as a mother whose world has been torn apart and whose life will never be the same. And moving forward will be my greatest challenge.
My three sons are the greatest and most powerful gift I have ever received and I can’t tell you how my whole being fills up with this light when I look at them or even think about them. There are no words to adequately describe how much I love them. One of them has been physically torn from us and again, there are no words to really describe the depth of the searing, heart-wrenching pain that blinds sides me. But, in no way will this diminish the love that will continue to grow for Wallace as it will grow for Ben and Packy as they face each new day.
I do not understand what it feels like to be a triplet, but I do know from observation that there is an incredible bond, a life among them that is an entity all unto itself. While they are three totally different people, so much of who they are is also because of each other. And, as Ben and Packy continue on with their lives, Wallace will be there with them because part of them is Wallace. What a gift for us, for me.
I think that, as a parent, one of the first things you try to learn is to let go. First, it is the easy stuff like allowing them to run down the beach, jump off a pile of snow, or stand on a skate board. It becomes a cooperative, learning process. You cannot hover and protect them from getting a scraped knee or a bruised head. You want them to learn and move with confidence.
You have to learn to let go when they first go off to school and thank God I was leaving them, at first, to Tana Rinaldi, Betsy Schroeder, Joyce Stonehocker and especially Val Braun, who had Wallace in class for three years. Then it was Peter Westcott, Helene Ferguson, and Judy Detweiler for 5th and 6th grade. And it goes on, and oh, Ms McKinney, wherever you are, please know that, after all those years of teaching math to Wallace, he declared math and computer science as his major. He was very proud.
Weems and I tried to expose Wallace to as many activities as possible in the hopes he would discover a passion. Playing a musical instrument did not work for him. In fact, one of the few times he was sent to the principal’s office was when he got caught sending spit balls across the room through his trombone mouthpiece. He played soccer, basketball, hockey, and football. However, it turned out that nothing could compare to his developing love for snowboarding and this he did all on his own because the rest of us were all skiers. This was his decision as a 6-year-old to grab an adult snowboard and ride it with his ski boots on. There were no kids’ boards or boots back in those days.
Eventually he would meet up with a young snowboard instructor at Snowmass named Miah Wheeler, who helped him develop his love of snowboarding into a real passion. Miah has continued to coach him, be his friend, mentor, and supporter for at least 12 years. And, meanwhile, Travis MacLain entered the picture. He really exemplified a love of life and for snowboarding for Wallace. And AVSC became another home for Wallace—filled with wonderful friends and opportunities.
Snowboarding became Wallace’s life in the mountains. He competed in numerous events, always trying to reach the next level and was only hampered by injuries. But he kept coming back. He had unfinished business. He eventually decided to focus on slopestyle because he loved to soar. He evolved to free riding as well, competing on terrain that he and his brothers were always examining, where they searched for different lines most of us would never consider or imagine. The ultimate compliment for him was riding for this film the Aspen Skiing Company was sponsoring. To be able to ride in the back country where the lighting, snow, and views were exquisite was the best. The day of the accident was one of the most spectacular days of the season, and Packy said that Wallace was making the best turns of his life, and then he soared through the air. That is what we will remember.
I was so lucky to have the opportunity to be with Wallace in school as a volunteer, to participate in “ex-education”, to watch him learn, grow, and interact with his friends. I got to know his friends who I also learned to love. I was lucky to get to watch Wallace compete in numerous events, watching his skill level and confidence expand. I never wanted to pass up an opportunity to watch any of my sons participate in what they loved, and I never wanted them to ever leave the house without a hug and a kiss and best wishes for a wonderful day!
Wallace did have another life away from the mountains, and it was in another place where he could again interact with the environment. Let me read you a poem he wrote in Val Braun’s 4th grade class:
ALL SEASONS BE SWEET
All seasons should be sweet, I think.
They are, but you don’t have to agree.
But if you don’t, here’s something you should know.
January through May is all great for skiing and snowboarding.
May through September is all great for vacation at the beach.
What a view of life, right?! Every summer the five of us would pack up and head east to work in the family business: Briggs Beach (hence, Wallace’s middle name) in Little Compton, RI where again, Wallace lived life to the fullest—where he snorkeled, scuba dived, went spear fishing, rode boogie boards, went surfing, and finally, developed a second passion: Golf (where the competition began again among the brothers!) There in Rhode Island, he was able to spend time with my side of the family: his grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins. I will be forever grateful to them for all their love, support, and influence in his life. Wallace really did have an extended family because there are also all the Colorado Westfeldts who have added tremendously to his life.
You do not raise children alone. You have family, teachers, coaches, friends, parents, the ski school family, and your children’s friends. These young friends have been truly magnificent. I absolutely cherish having you all congregate at the house.
And you always hope that your children meet their loves. Thank you, Amelia, for allowing Wallace to experience love and for loving him back.
This is an overwhelming gathering today, and as I look out toward you all I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the love, support, and understanding that you gave Wallace and are passing on to his family.
And thank you most of all, Wallace, for all your spirit, love, patience, and everything that you taught me. And where I cannot touch you physically, I will never let go of your spirit. I love you.
My three sons are the greatest and most powerful gift I have ever received and I can’t tell you how my whole being fills up with this light when I look at them or even think about them. There are no words to adequately describe how much I love them. One of them has been physically torn from us and again, there are no words to really describe the depth of the searing, heart-wrenching pain that blinds sides me. But, in no way will this diminish the love that will continue to grow for Wallace as it will grow for Ben and Packy as they face each new day.
I do not understand what it feels like to be a triplet, but I do know from observation that there is an incredible bond, a life among them that is an entity all unto itself. While they are three totally different people, so much of who they are is also because of each other. And, as Ben and Packy continue on with their lives, Wallace will be there with them because part of them is Wallace. What a gift for us, for me.
I think that, as a parent, one of the first things you try to learn is to let go. First, it is the easy stuff like allowing them to run down the beach, jump off a pile of snow, or stand on a skate board. It becomes a cooperative, learning process. You cannot hover and protect them from getting a scraped knee or a bruised head. You want them to learn and move with confidence.
You have to learn to let go when they first go off to school and thank God I was leaving them, at first, to Tana Rinaldi, Betsy Schroeder, Joyce Stonehocker and especially Val Braun, who had Wallace in class for three years. Then it was Peter Westcott, Helene Ferguson, and Judy Detweiler for 5th and 6th grade. And it goes on, and oh, Ms McKinney, wherever you are, please know that, after all those years of teaching math to Wallace, he declared math and computer science as his major. He was very proud.
Weems and I tried to expose Wallace to as many activities as possible in the hopes he would discover a passion. Playing a musical instrument did not work for him. In fact, one of the few times he was sent to the principal’s office was when he got caught sending spit balls across the room through his trombone mouthpiece. He played soccer, basketball, hockey, and football. However, it turned out that nothing could compare to his developing love for snowboarding and this he did all on his own because the rest of us were all skiers. This was his decision as a 6-year-old to grab an adult snowboard and ride it with his ski boots on. There were no kids’ boards or boots back in those days.
Eventually he would meet up with a young snowboard instructor at Snowmass named Miah Wheeler, who helped him develop his love of snowboarding into a real passion. Miah has continued to coach him, be his friend, mentor, and supporter for at least 12 years. And, meanwhile, Travis MacLain entered the picture. He really exemplified a love of life and for snowboarding for Wallace. And AVSC became another home for Wallace—filled with wonderful friends and opportunities.
Snowboarding became Wallace’s life in the mountains. He competed in numerous events, always trying to reach the next level and was only hampered by injuries. But he kept coming back. He had unfinished business. He eventually decided to focus on slopestyle because he loved to soar. He evolved to free riding as well, competing on terrain that he and his brothers were always examining, where they searched for different lines most of us would never consider or imagine. The ultimate compliment for him was riding for this film the Aspen Skiing Company was sponsoring. To be able to ride in the back country where the lighting, snow, and views were exquisite was the best. The day of the accident was one of the most spectacular days of the season, and Packy said that Wallace was making the best turns of his life, and then he soared through the air. That is what we will remember.
I was so lucky to have the opportunity to be with Wallace in school as a volunteer, to participate in “ex-education”, to watch him learn, grow, and interact with his friends. I got to know his friends who I also learned to love. I was lucky to get to watch Wallace compete in numerous events, watching his skill level and confidence expand. I never wanted to pass up an opportunity to watch any of my sons participate in what they loved, and I never wanted them to ever leave the house without a hug and a kiss and best wishes for a wonderful day!
Wallace did have another life away from the mountains, and it was in another place where he could again interact with the environment. Let me read you a poem he wrote in Val Braun’s 4th grade class:
ALL SEASONS BE SWEET
All seasons should be sweet, I think.
They are, but you don’t have to agree.
But if you don’t, here’s something you should know.
January through May is all great for skiing and snowboarding.
May through September is all great for vacation at the beach.
What a view of life, right?! Every summer the five of us would pack up and head east to work in the family business: Briggs Beach (hence, Wallace’s middle name) in Little Compton, RI where again, Wallace lived life to the fullest—where he snorkeled, scuba dived, went spear fishing, rode boogie boards, went surfing, and finally, developed a second passion: Golf (where the competition began again among the brothers!) There in Rhode Island, he was able to spend time with my side of the family: his grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins. I will be forever grateful to them for all their love, support, and influence in his life. Wallace really did have an extended family because there are also all the Colorado Westfeldts who have added tremendously to his life.
You do not raise children alone. You have family, teachers, coaches, friends, parents, the ski school family, and your children’s friends. These young friends have been truly magnificent. I absolutely cherish having you all congregate at the house.
And you always hope that your children meet their loves. Thank you, Amelia, for allowing Wallace to experience love and for loving him back.
This is an overwhelming gathering today, and as I look out toward you all I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the love, support, and understanding that you gave Wallace and are passing on to his family.
And thank you most of all, Wallace, for all your spirit, love, patience, and everything that you taught me. And where I cannot touch you physically, I will never let go of your spirit. I love you.
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