We have lost a great friend

[wtdrm]

Jere Thorne:

We all lost a good friend. On August 27th 2006 Jere Thorne drowned, while diving with a buddy at Louise Mine pit somewhere around 10:30 A.M. We may never know exactly what happened or why it happened. It just did. It was truly an accident and it is still under investigation by the coroner’s office.
Jere was one of my closest friends. One of the smartest individuals I’ve ever met. He was a systems analyst at Allianz. I would call him all the time with questions about computers and he was always there to help.  Jere was a very advanced diver. Trained to the instructor level with additional levels of rebreather training. In fact just two weeks ago he had completed his training though Diveheart to assist handicapped people learn to dive. That’s how committed he was to helping people experience his love of the water. 
It was that love of diving and his love of helping others that led him to Matt Johnston. Jere had a plan to adapt his CCR for Matt to use while diving. I was working with Jere in that project.  Giving Matt the freedom he wanted while diving.
Steph and I had many great trips with Jere and his main love, Lisa. Most memorable of those were Jamaica and Truk Lagoon. Jere was my roommate and we had a fantastic trip. In fact he and Lisa were starting to put together a plan to allow them to take lots of trips leading people into adventures that did not run the “norm” from a vacation trip.
So it is with a heavy heart, that on Wednesday September 6th 2006 starting at 3:30 P.M. we have to say goodbye to Jere. Lisa has asked me to post this to the board. She would like anybody that would like to come to their house in Chaska and celebrate Jere’s life. The gathering will start at 3:30 P.M. with the service to start at 4:30 P.M. After that we will gather around Jere’s fire pit, drink a toast have a bite to eat  and remember the good times.

Jere left behind a daughter Rosalind (22) (5) and Lisa, his very special friend. they had been together over 3 years.


Lisa and I are going to set up a memorial fund for one of Jere's favorites.
More info on that later.

The notice will also be in Sunday's Star Tribune with a follow up on Tuesday.

If you would like to come email me and I will reply with a map to their house.
Wtdrm@hughes.net

Cell # 612-669-5199

[Michelle Crowe]

Chuck,

Well written and well said.
I know that this was not easy to write in betewwen tears.

I too, would also like to add a special thanks to all those Divers who secured the scene, administered rescue efforts and CPR.
Your actions and your take charge attitude were outstanding and have resonated throughout our small community.

We are blessed to have our Dive Masters, Instructors, and Interns always watching our backside... teaching and guiding us- no matter how difficult the situation.

From all of us that shared in this weekend-Thank you.

[chicodiver]

Jere was my best friend.  We met in the first grade, 41 years ago and the rest is history.  We lived life together.  I introduced him to diving in 1999.  We were brothers.  We will all miss Jere deeply.  He was the most kind man you could meet.  He was always concerned about other people and was so excited about being able to help Matt Johnston.  He told me about it every time we spoke on the phone.  Jere and I often talked about life and had many deep conversations over the years.  Diving was Jere's passion.  He enjoyed it immensely.  We dove often and logged over 70 dives together.

In addition to Roz, his daughter, he also had a grandson, Sean, Marge his mother and Jean his sister.  His father was deceased many years ago.  We are grieving, but need to remember the joy and goodness that he brought to us all.  He would want us to celebrate his life.  

John Olsen
Chico, California

[rcojr]

Chuck
Is it possible to post the map on the website?
Bob

[pink_fins]

I just met Jere this past weekend.
All I know is he was really loved by all.

We talked about "Shadow Divers" and how those guys brought tri-mix to the east coast. Pioneers in their field.

We talked about Matt J. and I have to say I have been not so much in agreement with the man diving. But Jere changed my mind with saying Matt has the passion to dive.  We understand passion to dive. Matt should  Dive.

We did a dive on Friday afternoon with Chuck. I told him he has to help me with the frog kick. Kick and glide. He did it great.

We dove on Saturday at Hopkins. Lisa and my hubby snorkeled.  He was flying.  I had to surface to yell at him to slow down. I have short legs, he had long legs. He just wanted us to get to the bever dam.  We sunk and a few feet we were there.
I will miss the guy ... even knowing him for a few hours.

You all know the poem "when someone comes into our lives" read it again.

Gentle hugs to all of you

gail

[wtdrm]

I have availability of a bus that we could charter to take to Jere's memorial.
The owner say that all we would have to pay for is fuel and a tip for the driver.

PM me if you are interested as soon as possible.

I am think the bus would leave GUDC about 2:45-3:00 at leave Jere's about 8:00 or so. That could be earlier or later.
Let me know ASAP.
PM me.

[dd_diver]

Looking for someone who is headed to the memorial service from GUDC (or northern suburbs).  My son Kyle needs a ride TO the service.  I work in Bloomington so I will be going directly to the service from work... I can bring Kyle home.  Please PM me if you wouldn't mind giving him a ride.

  Dawn

[Floridays]

Dawn,
I'm not coming in from the northern suburbs, but I do know that there will be a number of people coming in from that direction. If you contact GUDC, there should be a few different carpools (or even a bus from the sounds of it) available.

Mr O.

[wtdrm]

I only had 6 people reply to the affirmative.

[wtdrm]

PEOPLE COME INTO YOUR LIFE FOR A REASON

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person. When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.  They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually.  They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to and end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.

What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow or learn. They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it, it is real, but only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons, things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

Thank you for being a part of my life, whether you were a reason, a season or a lifetime.