Eric Anderson Weigel

ASHEVILLE—Eric Anderson Weigel, age 22, beloved son of Larry Weigel and Jayne Anderson, devoted brother to David Weigel and grandson to Lynn Weigel died Wednesday, June 5, 2013 on the North Fork of the Payette River near Banks, Idaho. Eric was born November 27, 1990, in Santa Rosa, Calif. and moved to Asheville in 1994. He attended Weaverville Primary and Elementary Schools and North Buncombe Middle School before attending Asheville School, where he graduated in 2009 with High Honors. In 2013 Eric, a National Merit Scholar, graduated Magna cum Laude from Furman University with a BS in Chemistry. Eric was an accomplished pianist and won the Asheville Area Piano Forum Competition's Advanced Division in 2007. He entered Furman University as a piano performance major, changing to chemistry as a sophomore. He continued to play classical and jazz piano throughout his college years. From elementary age through high school Eric had a successful club and high school swimming career. He was the top breaststroker at Asheville School. Eric worked for several summers as a lifeguard. In 2009, he was recognized by the City of Asheville as a "Community Hero" for saving the life of a 3 year-old at a local Asheville pool. He also worked as a Rehab aide at Care Partners during his college years (summers and vacations); he was considering a career in medicine. Eric loved outdoor activities including hiking, camping and biking. He was experienced and well trained in outdoor survival skills. In 2008, at age 17, he attended the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), learning backpacking and wilderness survival skills in Alaska. In 2011, Eric attended a NOLS Wilderness Emergency Medical Training course outside Yosemite, California and earned an EMT-Basic certification. Eric was a highly skilled and responsible whitewater kayaker. He shared his love for kayaking with his brother David. During spring break 2013, Eric and friends paddled 225 miles down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. Eric is best known by his many friends for his kindness, humility, intelligence, sense of humor and love of adventure. His memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, June 13, 2013, at The Cathedral of All Souls, 9 Swan St. (Biltmore Village), Asheville, NC 28803. The Very Reverend Todd M. Donatelli will officiate. This September, Eric was planning to travel to Peru and volunteer on a medical boat on the Amazon River through Project Amazonas. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Eric's name to Project Amazonas through their website: http://www.projectamazonas.org/. West Funeral Home is assisting the family. For those who desire, condolences may be offered to the family under Eric's obituary at www.WestFamilyFuneralServices.com.