We lost one of our Saatchi & Saatchi family at the weekend. A 26 year veteran. A typographer. A craftsman. A good bloke. Our love runs deep. KR
You wouldn’t call Eric de Vries a loud man.
Unlike so many in our advertising family, he was softly spoken. Gentle. Understated.
Not humble exactly – for there was a quiet, strong pride that he brought to every day and everything he did. It was at the heart of his careful, immaculate work, his natural generosity and easy humour, and most of all in his infinite patience.
He made tough times easier, and good times better. He inspired love, and the greatest respect, every single day of his 26 years as a multi-award winning studio artist and typographer at Saatchi & Saatchi, Wellington.
For those who didn’t know him, this might seem a cliché. One of those nice things people say. But those of us who do, know the truth of someone unique and extraordinary.
Because you wouldn’t call Eric de Vries a quiet man.
He lived powerfully and remarkably. He was full of energy and curiosity and passion – for creativity, for the open road, and for the ocean.
And it was here, as a highly experienced and well-regarded free diver, that he lost his life doing what he loved on December 3rd, 2011.
Eric had achieved an extraordinary peace and a balance to his life that he shared, in a million little ways, with those around him – a peace that ultimately sprung from the joy and devotion he shared with his wife Joanne, and his children Rose, Jules and Alexander.
In the words of his Saatchi & Saatchi family, he was genuine. A gentleman. Genuine. Magnanimous. Genuine. Welcoming. Serene. A champion. Unwavering. Flawless. Immaculate. And genuine.
His legacy is immense, as is our sorrow at his passing – and our joy and gratitude at having known and loved a truly talented and remarkable man.
Tribute by Saatchi & Saatchi New Zealand.
