This site has been created for anyone who would like to share their memories & photos of Eric. We will be creating a memory book from the stories and photos shared here as well as from from memory cards that will be passed out at Eric's Celebration of Life Service. Please share as many thoughts, stories & photos so that others can enjoy them as well. He was brave. He was honest. He was an explorer of life, constantly intrigued by his daily discoveries. He was a beer enthusiast and a walking encyclopedia. He was a man who loved sand between his toes and dog fur between his fingers. He could solve the most intricate of computer problems and had the beauty within him to find amazement in a firefly He was the pillar his wife leaned against, never bending. He was the son every parent dreamed of and the friend any person could be lucky enough to have. And he was not on this earth long enough. Eric Paul Laschinger, 32, passed away on July 8, 2014, in his home in Alexandria, VA, surrounded by family and love. His courageous 10-month struggle with Acute Myeloid Leukemaia has ended. For a life so short, Eric packed a lot into it. Born on February 13, 1982, in San Jose, CA, he became a man who was clearly enamored with the world around him. He enjoyed the meticulous craftsmanship of home brewing, the sound of breaking waves while playing bocce ball on the beach, the peaceful flickering of a late-night campfire and the inexhaustible energy of Emma, his Bernese Mountain dog. His mind, as his life, brimmed with curiosity and discovery. He loved learning about new things—be it an enticing destination to explore or an interesting story on Reddit— and sharing them with loved ones. And his loved ones, in turn, shared his contagious enthusiasm for food, wine and golf. Those loved ones include his wife and closest friend, Kristin Nunez. They met and married in Santa Barbara, where Eric graduated from UCSB with a B.S. in Computer Science and a Masters in Economics, which lead to his employment with ABC-CLIO and Mission Linen Supply in Santa Barbara and, later, as a software developer with IBM in Arlington, VA, where his talents were recognized and valued by his colleagues. Together Eric and Kristin shared an adventure that crossed the continent, moving to Alexandria to start the next chapter in their lives. Sadly, that chapter ended many pages too soon, and without the children they both hoped for. Eric would have been an amazing father. Still, he was a brilliant and kind man, and he will be missed more than he ever thought possible. The people who will miss him most, his family, include his wife Kristin Nunez & dog Emma Bear Laschinger of Alexandria, VA; his parents, Michael & Cheryl Laschinger of San Jose, CA; his grandparents, Colleen & Carl Mills of Prescott, AZ; and his sister Kristen Laschinger Watts & Jonathan Watts, his brother-in-law, San Jose, CA. In addition, he will forever be in the thoughts and prayers of many aunts, uncles and cousins, as well as Louis & Susan Nunez, his mother- and father-in-law, John Nunez, his brother-in-law. He was kind and had a good heart. He is loved so much for all he added to our lives in the far-too-short time we had him. In lieu of flowers, Eric expressly wished that donations could be made in his name to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital. www.stjude.org/tributes To see photos of Eric’s wonderful life, and to learn more about his heartbreaking struggle with Leukemia, you are welcome to visit www.EricsScramble.blogspot.com. Eric's Celebration of Life Memorial Service Elings Park, Godric's Grove 1298 Las Positas Rd Santa Barbara, CA Sunday, August 10, 2014 at 2:00pm Reception to follow directly after the Memorial on the Deck above Godroc's Grove Please come to celebrate and toast to an incredible husband, loving son, amazing brother and loyal friend.