Remembering our HTM brothers
 

On Friday, January 11, 2002 the high performance boating family lost four of it’s own. It was a tragic day, and, as someone pointed out, all too familiar to us. Like most people in the forum community, I struggled with how to cope with the loss of our family members.

It was then I realized how close we really are. Many of you I know personally, and many of you remain separated by a keyboard and a monitor. However, through this tragedy, I realized that we are all much closer than we like to admit. United by our passion for boats, and living life to it’s fullest. Unfortunately, four of our brothers will no longer be able to share their passion with us.

Steve Coulombe was the owner of HTM. He was a passionate man when it came to boat building. Constantly striving for perfection, many HTM owners will attest to pride in his boats and making his customers happy. Steve is survived by his wife Lia, and two daughters Sharece (12) and Chelsie (9).

Nelson Brinkman is survived by his wife Danielle and son, little Nelson (5). Currently, since Danielle is a stay at home mom, and has been hit hard by this tragedy.

Ken Lane is survived by his wife Jan, and son Christopher (7).

Chuck Wiseman was MrPumpsHTM on the boards. It was his birthday on Friday, so he asked to come along for the ride as a present. At HTM, it was always a great honor to be chosen to go along when testing a new boat. Chuck was not only an HTM owner, but Steve’s friend, as well. Chuck leaves behind a 16 year-old son.

As a way to honor our lost friends, many of us will be proudly wearing “in memory of” decals on our boats and trucks this year. JETBOAT BRIAN has volunteered to donate the decals, which are vinyl (gel coat safe). The decals are 6”x 4” in diameter, and look like this:
HTM Memorial Decal

Many members have expressed their desire to help the families, so we have set up a Pay Pal and HTM Memorial account to accept donations. Brian, Barney and I are recommending a $10/decal donation, with 100% (minus decal postage) being divided equally among the families. However, you are in no way obligated to donate to get a decal, and ALL donations (of any amount) will be appreciated. Donations (checks) can be sent to:

HTM Memorial Fund
C/O Valencia Bank & Trust
18710 Soledad Canyon Rd.
Canyon Country, CA 91351

To get your decal(s), please e-mail JETBOAT BRIAN at [email protected]. Please include a note with how many, and where you want them sent.

Flowers and cards can be sent to:
HTM Boats
11306 Sierra Hwy
Agua Dulce, CA 91390

However, in lieu of flowers, donations will probably be more useful right now.

I would like to ask for everyone’s help in getting the word out. If you know someone in the boating business (company or individual) who is not on the Internet, please forward this to them. Also, any help with the boating magazines would be appreciated. Feel free to copy this post onto other message boards, or in e-mails.

Also, I will be forwarding your kind words as best I can. Feel free to post your messages in this thread, and I will let the families know. Some kind words in other posts have already reached them, and they really appreciate the thoughts.

Thanks for your help,

Jeff

[ 01-23-2002: Message edited by: Havasu Hangin ]

BACK TO TOP.

I was also informed each request for decals will be shipped one black and one white. For those of us with limo tint in the trucks back windows. For better than 40 years I have known boaters to be the tightest knit group of people. The condolences expressed on this board have proven that to be true once again.

Good job Havasu, I know the families will appreciate it and we on the board welcome your help.

Thanks to everyone who has posted and/or contributed so far. I proves that our little community can come together for a good cause.

Jeff, just to let you know, I e-mailed a copy of this thread to Brett Becker (editor of Powerboat magazine)

Tank

This is a tough thing to do guys, I don't like asking for help because I don't like being disappointed.

It's not your problem, I know times are tough all over, but we really have a couple BOATERS families in trouble here, please don't just ride by and pretend not to see....

I'm sorry to ask, but damn, we got a couple famlies that lost fathers, husbands in a boating accident. On the water we see each other eyes, we know it's THE CODE.

Nobodies asking to be towed miles back to shore, most of us do that for people anyway, why does this have to be any different..

The families NEED help. :(

TTT Come on guys and gals lets show them what we are made of. If we can burn 60 gallons of fuel per hour we can surely come up with $50. You can bet you will get more out of this act of kindness than paying some Saudi to hire a nanny or a driver. :D

Thanks.

Every little bit will help, thanks so much guys!

Count me in, email & funds off tomarrow.
Every bit helps...........

Checks in the mail first thing in AM
Caleb

Done, and Done.

its a wonderful gesture.... I'm in!

I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who has responded so far. It really hit home for me, too (thanks BG). In one day, the Pay Pal account surpassed $1,000.

I understand the economy is tough right now. However, it is even tougher for the families. If you can't donate, that's ok. How about a decal for your truck or boat this year as a show of support?

If you don't want to put a decal on, that's ok. How about helping by getting the word out (thanks Barney)?

I have high hopes for my "OSO family" to pull together. The HTM families are listening.

Their famlies will be in our prayers also.
Godspeed. God Bless.

Signed up with paypal and money is on the way. Easy to do just follow the bouncing ball. I was going snow skiing this weekend but I found a better investment.
;)
Like I sad in an earlier post. We have a ton of members on OSO. A little out of the wallet X the # of members can add up quickly.
Let's show the west coast families our support, Mike

Just dropped my Check in the Mail. It makes me feel good to try to help. This is a opportunity for all boaters to help out some other boaters that need it...Not only do they need some cash.. They need our prayers..

Hopefully this doesn't come across wrong. Yesterday I received a call from a very good friend of mine who I haven't heard from in while. Usually when we talk it's when one of us needs a favor. Anyhow I returned his call and he asked if I wanted to do any trucking (being a former long haul driver I usually enjoy geting away for a bit). I told him I wasn't able to because of school, but asked what he was doing. My friend has a company called Innerspace (non profit) and one of their primary functions is deep water recovery. Well he went on to tell me that the LA county police dept. had contacted him about recovering the bodies of some boaters. I thought could this be the HTM accident, so I told him what I had heard through the board and he told me what the police gave him for details. Well they matched up. The reason I brought this up was because I have to imagine it's very hard for the families not to be able to properly say goodbye, and bury their family members. I can say that if my friend does take this job (I don't know if it's up to him or the police) there isn't a better person to do this. I have seen him spend his own money doing exactly the same thing for another family who could not recover their kids. I brought this up just as a thought, I wanted to let you know that I have ultimate faith in this friend of mine and hopefully the recovery of those victims will help with the grieving and healing process for the unfortunate families and friends. I've left out his name since he prefers to do this anonomously. This isn't a plug for him but as a bit of behind the scenes info for you folks following this tragedy.

Les

[ 01-17-2002: Message edited by: Niuhi ]

Count me in! I am an owner of a 24'SR. I never got to me Steve personally, but I loved what he was doing for boating. I talked to Steve and Ken on the phone both, and they were always helpful. My prayers are with all the families.

Awesome guys!!!

I cant make the e-mail address for jet boat brian work...anyone get through? I'm just computer stupid....

I just sent my donation :cool:

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ on its way.

You guys are great! This really means alot to the families.

RD

Jeff, I talked to Brett Becker at powerboat and they said they would be happy to run the info on the donations/stickers and where to send cards and flowers too. BUT, the donations need to be sent to a bank, not a P.O. box and paypal site. I'm sure it has to do with liability on PB's behalf.

I heard you say before you were going to look into getting a bank account set up to get donations to, Is this going to happen or just the paypal and po box thing? I think this would be good to get into the pages of powerboat where it is nationally advertised and could potentially bring in some serious donations. But the protocal is set. They need a bank account i.e. "the HTM memorial fund care of Bank of america (address, state, etc.)" Let me know what you can do or have found out.

Tank

Jeff, I got your email....Back at ya.

Tank

Tank, I'm sure Jeff will work something out for that. I know personally that a couple of the families need money now and can't afford to wait for all of that.. That's what these guys are trying to help with. I am so proud to be a part of these message boards where people come together to help each other in the real world just as they do on the water.

God Bless the OSO membership as well as the other boards that are contributing.. :)

RD

just wanted all to know,today ken lane was laid to rest at 2:00 west coast time,may he rest in peace,for the others still not found,i hope god will let them be found for the families,scott

From blueamerican: I am a banker by trade, and a 26' AO Cat owner, would love to help the cause and set up the account, no fees no hassels, just set up the collection acount, receive the donations and give it to the families. Just need the signatures of who will be the administrators etc. and I could get things going quickly. Let me know.

BlueAmerican, I'm not sure but I think that it has already been handled.. You might want to hit up Havasu Hangin about that. Your support is DEFINATELY appreciated!

RD

Souunds like some progress has been made.
http://cbs2.com/topstories/StoryFold...201389223_html

My condolances to the families...a check is in the mail.

[ 01-18-2002: Message edited by: Sean ]

TTT

Someone said that one of the engines was out of the boat, but I haven't been able to find any media anywhere that confirms that. I hope they find those guys soon, the families could really use closure.

RD

My check is in the mail also.I got the chance to meet Steve and Lia a couple of times and it was very obvious to me that Steve had a very strong passion for his boats.He built his small boat business into a thriving company with his own hands and his positive attitude.I will miss opening my HOTBOAT mag every month to see the big numbers that Steve was known for.I just dont understand why this tragic event had to happen.My thoughts and prayers will be with the families.
Todd

:( :( :(

[ 01-18-2002: Message edited by: BAD HTM SR 24 ]

You guy's are doing great work here !!!

C'mon everyone.....Lets all help !!!

I've got a wife, 3yr & 1yr old, and this is too close to home.

GOD Bless these famlies !!!!

My check is in the mail.....

:( :( :(

Refreshing memories

channel 4, out of LA reported on the 5 pm news that two bodies were recoved today and will look for the last tomarrow.

It's good that these families will finally be able to put them to rest. Is there any news on whether or not they plan on bringing up the boat?

RD