Very sad, gutted, I considered Eric a friend and will miss him. I don't know that I ever saw him and he wasn't smiling and enjoying life. We recently spent a little time together in Monterey and was discussing the new lady in his life etc.
Eric's enthusiasm and passion lifted the profile of BMWs in America, certainly E30, Z8s and newer M cars. We used to laugh that E30s was where our passions met, he loved everything after and me most everything before.
Eric was never frightened to call up and ask questions, he knew he didn't know everything and wanted to learn, he got very close to a few CSLs over time, but to my knowledge never acquired one.
His brother Evan is a very different character, but I do hope he carries on the business that Erics passion built.