Griffen passed yesterday. My heart is broken and goes out to his family. He was deeply loved by many. He was one of those souls that was filled to the brim with enthusiasm and gusto for life's adventures. He became one of the best boaters around. I still remember him and Sarah at the RFRR, perhaps 1997, with an open boat and nothing but desire to get on the river. I took him down the Gauley the first time and wanted to take him down the RF that same season - he was so damned good out there. Sarah would not hear of it and he waited a year. He ripped on it when he finally got out there in the gorge. I was proud of him. I saw him as the future for our rag tag tribe of RF boaters. I could always count on Griff (except maybe when he was Gifford). He and Clay stepped up this year to take First Timers down the Gauley. He was selfless and would not hesitate to paddle the Upper RF with his girlfriend Taylor who he was turning on to the world of whitewater. Then, he would go boat the gorge. I loved that he had such exhuberance that he would irritate some by ripping around on that motorcyle all weekend long at the RFRR/BWA club party. I thought it was great. I loved that he irritated the sheriff at the Battle Run campground by telling him that "No, Fern is not a dog". We all know that Fern is actually Speigle (SP?) and isn't really a dog. Who would let a "dog" lick them in the mouth after all? I loved my brother with all my heart. He stepped up to the plate whenever I asked him. I was thrilled to have him back in the BWA and attending meetings. He was excited about the direction the BWA was taking. To me, he was awesome. Always catching the "Room of Doom" eddy at Pillow Rock. I think he stayed up all night partying and then did the Lord of the Fork race. That is what I used to do when "I wore a younger man's shoes". I loved it and most of all, loved my brother Griffen. I am so sad. We will all miss him greatly and will need to come together for mutual support. We need to do a tribute, perhaps at the RF, but will need to see what his parents want and need. They are traveling back to Lex as I write. This has been a bad year for friends of mine that have died. I am so upset that this has happened to Griff and we will all have to be there for each other during the coming days and weeks when we (his tribe) deal with our emotions and the senseless loss we will feel in that empty spot in our hearts. I love you Griffen.
Your "older" Brother,
Brent

That's really sad. Haven't heard what happened. Seemed full of life and great with kids (and dogs!) though I didn't know him that well. Only talked to him a couple of times. Know he will be missed. My heart goes out to those that loved him.

Wes

Sad news indeed.

He was a real ball of fire and I'll miss him.

My heart goes out to his friends and family.

This is really sad news. He was so full of life. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Allen Kirkwood

That's really sad.

Griffen was one of the first people I saw out on the Elkhorn and the Benson. He was always good to be around. I had a lot of fun hanging out by the bonfire with him at Gauley Fest this year. I'll miss him.

todd

I really didn't know Griffen, just met him a couple of times in the last several months. I know he was one of your close buddies Brent. My deepest, most sincere condolences to all his friends and family.

Oh Griffin, my heart is broken. Griffin and I started boating together in our Dagger Legend in the Boundary Waters of Minnesota. We got that canoe for Christmas and took it into the wilderness for 28 days, just the two of us and Knuckles, barely knowing how to paddle the damn thing. God, we fought that first week. He just kept saying, I'll tell you when to switch sides to which I'd reply but I'm tired! We finally figured it out and by the end of that epic trip, we were hooked.

We came home and went to Phillip Galls and bought a Dagger Crossfire, skirt and a paddle. We didn't know the first thing about it, but Griff was determined. We took it out that day to Jacobson Park, he said he was gonna go and try to roll but if he got in trouble I was supposed to go and save him. Like I said, we didn't know anything, so he got in the boat and put his skirt on tight, tucking that mysterious loop of fabric on the inside. He paddled out to the middle and flipped right over, and then nothing...he started pounding on the sides of the boat (my signal to save him) and I dove in. Unfortunately, its only about 6 inches deep so I just smashed into the bottom. By the time I finally swam out there he had clawed his way out of the boat and was gasping for air. We decided that was about enough for the first day, this sport seemed tough! We walked back to the car and it suddenly occured to us that the loop should probably go on the outside and then you wouldnt drown when you flip over. We laughed about that alot, too bad we didn't know all you folks then - maybe someone would have told us.

As time went by, we became obsessed with boating. It was all we did for years. He always pushed me to try new lines, moves, practice my roll, be brave. I never could have done it without him. We have been all over the world boating together. He has saved my life several times, and he was always more scared than I about it. He would berate me for bad lines because he was so afraid something would happen to me. Griffin would always go the extra mile to take of me and all his friends. We really had someone we could depend on in him.

I can't believe we'll never boat together again. I'll never forget all the times and the places we went. I could always trust that he would show me the line and be there with a proud smile when I nailed it. I miss him so much already. We have all lost a beautiful friend.
~Sarah

Griffin we loved you. You were always so full of life and fun. It was impossible not to feel good when you were around. I just cannot believe you are now gone. We will miss you terribly.
barryg

this is unimaginable for me. Clay called me last night...my heart goes out to him. Griff was his friend and partner thru thick and thin.

For me Griff was a brand new experience. We first paddled together the weekend of July 4th, 2006 on the Green Narrows. On Saturday he fired up the big 3 for the first time all on the same day. The next day i did the same...due to his inspiration. He was arguably the best paddler i ever paddled with. I knew he and i were friends the day last spring when he tossed a firecracker under my heels after a day on the Ocoee...that's how Griff showed love.

This summer he and i goaded each other into running Gorilla and Sunshine at ever lower levels...it was like a game of chicken. One run i thought we had both decided not to run Gorilla. As i was taking out above pencil sharpener and beginning the portage i heard a howl, looked back and there was Griff, grinning at me with a look that said "take a walk sucker...i'm still runnin this shit!"...i yelled "not without me" but he kept on going...crazy bastard.

this last month i had 4 of the best weekends of my life...a large part was hanging with Griff.

I tried my hardest to prank him back for all the pranks he'd pulled on me...i never got him. it was impossible. Now i never will...and it is tearing my heart apart.

peace out El Griffo...brother, friend, partner.

!VIVA EL GRIFFO!

b



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/08/2007 04:06PM by biggb23.

We'll miss you Griffen. And we're thinking about all of you back in Lexington right now (Sarah and Clay and Fern and all the rest of Griffin's family). Every time I see another campfire I'll think of Griffen, either jumping over it, getting lit on fire, or just hanging around and providing a huge pulse of energy to anyone and everyone who crossed paths with him. He's one of those legendary people that you never forget. One of the last images I have is of him dancing around the fire last weekend, with a giant smile. Peace.
jay