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To the friends and family of Stan Lynch: I wanted to reach out and let you know how sorry I am for the loss of Stan Lynch. He was a friend, and a colleague and I will personally miss him very much. It goes without saying that Stan had pursued his passion with a level of energy few of us will be able to match. He was also a team builder and had such a great ability to pull people in to his life. Here I am in Canada and somehow I was fortunate enough to have met Stan and had a glimpse of his amazing energy. I very much enjoyed our time together in Whistler Canada and the work we did together in Maui for one of my conferences. I truly thought we would have many more opportunities together. I have been reminded that we must live in the moment because there is no guarantee of tomorrow for any of us. It is only the moment of now that we truly have any control. He will be missed.

I know it's been a few days, but I needed to absorb the news of Stan's Death before I could reach out.

To Stan's family, I am so very sorry for your loss and I am thinking of you and wishing you the strength you will need to heal and learn to live without Stan in your lives. Personally, I believe that Stan is still here and watching over the people he loves. I can't even come up with words but please know your well being is in my thoughts.

I am grateful for the time I was lucky enough to have known Stan, and worked with him. He will be missed.

If there is anything, anything I can do at all please don't hesitate to ask.

Sincerely,

Tracker Productions
Mail: Box 171
Ground: #112-220 Bear Street
Banff, Alberta
T1L 1A3
Ph: 1-403-762-8788 Toll Free: 1-866-762-8788
Fx: 1-403-762-8735 Mobile: 1-403-760-1136
Email: tracker1@telusplanet.net
www.trackerproductions.com

To Stan's family and many, many friends, my heart goes out to you at this very sad time.

The first time I met Stan in the early 90's... I was asked by one of my wedding coordinators to deliver a bridal bouquet to her "videographer" as he had offered to bring it to the wedding he was shooting... I knocked on Stan's door... I am not sure who was more surprised, Him or Me.... He was soaking wet from head to toe, wearing only a very small towel around his waist! We laughed about that one for a long time. The next time I delivered a bouquet to Stan, I wasn't 20 minutes early!

Another fun memory was when Stan was in need of a couple of small dogs for a commercial photo shoot, he knew I had a Yorkie, and asked if I had any friends with a small dog... I told Stan that "Maggie" was scared of everyone was he sure he wanted "my" dog...? "Sure bring her over..." With dogs in hand, my friend and I arrived to find a "wardrobe" to dress the dogs in.... when we finally got them dressed, my dog was a nervous wreck and my girlfriends dog wanted no part of this stunt either. Needless to say, the only thing we got out of that evening was a good laugh. He was a great sport about it!

Stan was one of the most remarkable individuals I have ever met. His talent was unlimited, so creative; he was one of the best at his profession. Some people spend their whole lives searching for happiness in what they do for a living and never find it... Stan had a passion and found his happiness early on, it showed in every video he shot. He was truly one amazing man.

Stan was also one of the kindest people I have ever met; you were always greeted by a huge hug and that famous smile, He was so genuine.

In his short life on this earth, Stan touched many hearts, I was one of the lucky ones who had the privilege and honor to work with him.

To me, he will always be "Stan the Man" Aloha sweet friend; I will miss you forever. Love Janna Hoehn

Email Janna: aikane1@hawaiiantel.net

Upon hearing the news today, I am filled with sadness but smiling from the memories I shared with Stan. Stan brought me to Hawaii from Chicago after graduating college. I worked for him and was his right hand man for a year and a half. We traveled all over Hawaii and the world together producing videos and shared many a laughs together in hotel editing rooms. By choosing me to work with him in Hawaii has changed my life forever in such a magical and positive way. I have since branched out to my own video production company for the last 4 years but I credit Stan with teaching me "the eye" I now carry as a videographer and photographer. He always had a keen eye for a shot and at least he passed doing what he had a passion for. My sincere sympathy goes out to his family and friends.

Andrew Huey
President, ProLook Productions, LLC
P.O. Box 959-344
Kihei HI 96753
808.874.2581 ph
808.879.9679 fax
andrew@prolookproductions.com
www.prolookproductions.com

October 23, 2007 was a tragic and devastating day for not only David and I but for all who knew and loved Stan. The news of his sudden and unexpected death has filled us with sorrow for ourselves, Stan's sweet wife Saifon, and for his family and friends.

Just as Stan's incredible enthusiasm and zest for life was contagious so is the magnitude of the loss. I'm sure none of us have a grasp of just how far reaching the impact of his loss will be felt. He has touched so many lives. All one needs to do is look at the body of work he has left behind. Stan is in each and every one of the smiling faces in his videos and in the sad and pensive faces of the orphaned children he photographed in Thailand in 2004.

Remembering my dear friend Stan is like watching one of his videos, one minute I am moved to tears and the next I am laughing out loud. His ability to coerce and capture emotion was one of his greatest attributes and talents. His sincerity and genuine concern for the human condition brought honesty to his work. His lightheartedness and good natured teasing brought out the best in the people he was filming and made working with him a sheer joy.

We had so much fun working weddings together. He is the ONLY one who could tease me so badly and get away with it. This is because he was genuinely teasing with love and not with judgment. His favorite line would always come out when I was concentrating very hard in my meticulous way to compose the "perfect" shot. "While we're still young Kathy ...while we're still young!" It would crack me up every time! And the wedding couples really appreciated the obvious affection we had for one another. I can't even begin to count how many couples asked "are you two married?" To which I would respond "Are you kidding? My husband treats me much nicer than he does!"

In reality Stan treated me and everyone with great respect and understanding. He was so accepting and non-judgmental. It is a trait I so admired and hope to be able to remember to emulate.

Personally and selfishly I am especially sad about the loss of one of my best "cheerleaders." Stan was so encouraging to me in all of my creative endeavors. He always made me feel like I was the best photographer who ever lived. In reality he was the one with all of the talent. He was an amazing photographer with an incredible eye which is why his opinion always meant the most to me. When I retired from photography and began to paint and draw he generously showered me with encouragement in that enthusiastic Stan sort of way.

Dear, Dear, Stan....I miss your smile, I miss your creativity, I miss your sweet nature, I miss you terribly!

With great admiration, love and sadness ...your "wedding wife" Kathy

To honor Stan's love of cinema and the arts we have purchased a ceramic paving tile engraved with:

It will be added to the "Walk of Fame" during the upcoming new construction at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center.

Email Kathy: Kathryn@CreativeTouchPhoto.com

Where do I begin? I didn't think I would be writing this now. I thought I had another 30 or so years.

I met Stan back in 1991 while I was working at Media Systems on the island of Maui. I will never ever forget that day. I came into work and heading to the production studio, I glanced through the glass of the front office door. There sat a man on the couch, with both hands on his knees just like Forest Gump (though it was years before the movie). He had a child-like look on his face. In hindsight, after getting to know Stan, he was simply full of excitement.

Our production manager Sarah came in to talk to me a few minutes later and said she wanted me to meet someone. She explained that she had met this fellow on one of the catamarans shooting video. They talked and she invited him in to talk to me.

A few minutes later, I was shaking Stan's hand and he was smiling ear to ear. We sat and talked for a few minutes before he handed me his demo. As I watched his work, I was totally blown away. I vividly remember telling him his stuff looked like GONE WITH THE WIND.

Stan and I became instant friends from our first meeting. He helped me with weddings, and any other shoot he could do. I had many years experience as a camera operator/cinematographer, but I knew I was going to learn a lot more from this guy. His eye was amazing. He truly had a gift from God.

Stan and I had a lot of fun for the next year or so doing corporate wrap shows. I can't remember how many all-nighters we pulled, getting the show finished just hours before it was supposed to be shown at one of the hotels. I remember watching Stan as he edited, completely absorbed in what he was doing. He had a passion for it that is unmatched.

Then one day Stan invited me to lunch. He talked about how his own wedding business was growing and he needed some help and that he also wanted to expand into the corporate world. He told me he wanted me to come on board to handle the weddings. He said "One of the perks working at Loving Touch Wedding Videos is we'll have our business meetings at the beach!" Of course he didn't have to twist my arm, and I accepted. I remember he bought me this 1970's Maui cruiser to get me back and forth to the weddings. Every time I would drive about 5 minutes in that old car, the oil light would come on, but it never failed me. I would spend afternoons at his tiny apartment, eating tuna fish sandwiches and learning Stan's unique technique to shooting wedding videos. I followed Stan on dozens of weddings, learning his style before he cut me loose on my own. He was a madman when he had a camera in his hand. I used to call him the Indiana Jones of videographers because he was all over the place. I served as a cameraman in the Army, but Stan wiped me out.

In 1993, I married my wonderful wife Debra and Stan shot my wedding and reception. I remember him having the flu and I told him to go home and rest, but he refused. Of course, the video was spectacular.

Other opportunities came my way and I left Loving Touch Wedding Videos. Stan and I always kept in touch even when he achieved his goal of producing corporate incentive shows, which kept him on the road several months a year.

In 2004, my family and I relocated to Las Vegas. I would talk to Stan every month or so, and it was then I found out he had fallen in love with Saifon. He set a date in Vegas at a little Elvis themed Chapel downtown and invited me and my family, but he had one request. I had to come as Elvis.

I kept my promise and showed up with my Elvis sunglasses and hair done up in a pomp adour. I'll never forget the look on Stan's face when he saw me. He was smiling ear to ear, just like the first time we met. It was an incredible evening because I finally got to meet Stan's parents and close friends and spend some quality time with Stan and his new wife Saifon. I could see and feel Stan's happiness and I knew he had done good. Saifon was an absolute joy.

We were set to move to Indiana in a few months, so I realized I probably wouldn't be seeing Stan for a very long time. I always considered him the older brother I never had so I was quite depressed. That evening was the last time I saw him.

We talked frequently once I was settled in Indiana and he told me he would try to visit soon.

It's hard for me to believe he is gone. But I find comfort knowing he was tight with the Lord and I know he is with him right now. He was taken doing what he absolutely loved to do. I see that as a blessing.

Stan my Brother, thanks for your friendship and I'll see you again!

Jeff

Email Jeff: jtmahon@comcast.net

I met Stan in 1983 when we were neighbors on Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach, CA. He was waiting tables at Woody's Wharf and used to stop by my place after work to drink tea in early sobriety. As luck would have it, Stan stayed sober but I did not - until my return to Newport in 1986 when I called him for help. He welcomed me back and listened to my pain before taking me to Charle Street, where I learned the value of service in AA, and our friendship began.

Over the course of almost 25 years, we grew very close and saw many changes in each other's lives; I got to see him move to Hawaii and become an expert filmmaker and world traveler, and he got to see me complete graduate school and begin my own career. He also got to see me get a pilot's license (we went flying in the Maui trade winds once, and when we landed he got out of the plane and kissed the ground!!), as well as get married, which he of course got on video, and have two beautiful children. And though we were miles apart, with sometimes continents between us, we somehow managed to stay in touch providing each other encouragement or support, as the case may be. Remarkably, I had even talked to him the night before his fateful trip to Africa, and he was going to be in touch again upon his return.

Unfortunately, that return call never came, but I know what he would have said if it had. He would have downplayed his trip to Africa and asked me how I was doing - as well as Tiffany and the kids - and then he would have joked with me about my recent travels to Bangkok. And before the call ended he would have returned to the main topic - the reason for which I had called - and he would have highlighted a lesson he had learned in a similar predicament so that I wouldn't have to make the same mistake. He would also kid me about drinking, even though neither of us had touched a drop in over 21 years, and then he would laugh and say good bye. But before we hung up he would tell me that he loved me, even though I always got choked up when he said it. He was like a brother to me, as he probably was to many others, because Stanley was such a likable guy.

I will miss you my friend, but I know that you will be with me in spirit until we meet again. And while you went out at the top of your game - like a great athlete who retires while still on a winning streak -you will be missed by many. And oh by the way, you were a great AA as well, and I will forever be indebted to you for reaching out to me when I had nowhere else to turn, and teaching me the value of service to others. You were a good man, and I loved you too. Bill M.

Email Bill: wpmcg@cox.net

Stan was - the love of my life. As college sweethearts, we had the incredibly intense feeling that young couples do of "the" connection that would last a lifetime.

At 18 years of age, I met Stan as I was demonstrating an exercise gizmo at the MayCo store in Whittier. I was dressed in a black leotard, flat on my back, going through these elaborate exercises. My best friend, Ron - who was also Stan's best friend, brought him by to meet me. Dear, dear Ron, who knew us both, just felt that that we would have an incredible connection - and he was so right- we did until the very end...

For various reasons and seasons, Stan and I could not get it together to be a couple. But we were such close, close friends - sharing things with each other that we didn't share with others.

A group of us all went to Vegas for his U.S wedding to dear Saifon. She is a sweetheart, and my heart goes out to her. I adore her.

My heart was broken the day Stan died, when Ron came over to tell me that our dearest friend had passed away... My kids all adored him - especially my youngest Carley - who felt so very much love for him. My life will never, never be the same without my soul connection...

Email BlueOerYou: BlueOerYou@aol.com

Stan, your light, your energy, your passion, your zest, your laughter, your kindness, your sensitive, your joy, your smile, your warmth, your sweetness, your silliness, your vision, your creations, your support...and so much more, what a gift, simply what a gift.

I am so sad...so sad that you are gone from us...so sad that I missed the opportunities to get to know you better. I am forever grateful for the years we did work the weddings together (what fun we had, what fun we had), and the "doggie shoot" with Barb, Max and Ellie (hilarious)!

Oh Stan, how you lived your life, your spirit with which you lived, have shaken me to the core of my being...especially now that you are gone. Your passing is giving me much to reflect upon. So as the tears stream down my face, I hate to face them, to feel them, to know why they are there...Stan may you know, truly know the impact you have had upon me for I now see you were truly living the life your soul intended and this is truly what life is all about.

Thank you Stan...thank you for gracing my life with your beingness.

In deepest, heartfelt gratitude,
Janet

Email Janet: janet@royalhawaiianweddings.com

We are so terribly saddened to hear about Stan - we so appreciated sharing our company trips with him. He was such a great person and always joined in with our group - in fact it seemed like he was one of our group and that we had known him for a long time.

Our most vivid memory of him was on our Rhine Cruise in May 2005. Again Stan was trying to get the perfect sunset shot and got so involved that our boat pulled away, leaving him behind. He had to pay quite a large amount of money to take a taxi to get him back on the boat, several hours later.

You can imagine the amount of teasing he got, for the rest of the cruise, but he took it all very gracefully.

We also remember how excited he was at the prospect of getting married and it was obvious that he adored his "wife-to- be". Our sincere condolences to her and the rest of Stan's family and friends.

Chris & Jackie Perryman
Familyside Group, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Email Chris: chrisperryman@sasktel.net

As a parent of two grown sons, I can only imagine the pain and suffering of Stan Lynch's parents, Vera & Bill, who recently learned of their son's tragic and sudden death while on assignment in Africa.

What a loss! What can one parent say to another? "I'm sorry". It sounds so empty. Unable to reveal the true meaning and depth of the empathy behind the words.

I could say how I loved their son as one of my own. How I met Stan right after we both began our business ventures here in Maui. He was a videographer headed into the wedding business and I, a newly ordained minister, just beginning to do church services and weddings at the Sheraton Hotel. That was in the early 90s. Today I've done more than 1,800 weddings and perhaps close to twenty percent of those were recorded by "Stan, my video man" as I called him. I have never seen anyone rearrange church pews as he, in order to get the 'right shot.'

I guess I could say to his parents what a great job they did in raising their son. Stan was a man of integrity with a heart as big as he was. Whether he was behind the camera, capturing precious moments for the wedding couple, or being the anonymous benefactor behind the scene, inside God's house, empowering the church and the people it touched. I can't even begin to tell you how much he will be missed for his wisdom and generosity not to mention all those other Godly qualities he displayed.

God observed Stan's generosity and the goodness he shared and even sent him Saifon, an angel from heaven, to bring him great joy. And, as believers, Stan's parents and widow already know they'll meet up again someday when they all get home.

But, there is something else I could share with his parents. It's the love I saw within their son. Not only the love for his Heavenly Father but for his earthly father as well. I watched as Stan moved from Maui, an island which he adored, to Las Vegas, to be near the ones he adored most: His mother and father. What a love that was. A love shown to his parents while he was on this side of heaven's door. Many parents can't say that, but they can. What a son they raised!

I personally feel blessed to have been a part of their son's life. I know it wasn't an accident Stan & I met sixteen years ago. All I can say is 'Thank You'. Thank you to God for giving us Stan; and to his parents for doing such a great job in raising him. Their son will always be remembered fondly with love and respect. My prayers of comfort and love go out to all of Stan's family and friends. He shall truly be missed.

Beverly Powers, The Living Ministry, wedfrtwo@maui.net

My husband and I knew Stan through our travels with a company we do business with. He was always the chosen photographer-videographer as he was the best.

We had a connection with Stan as we are also from Hawaii and always compared notes on how we arrived at these far off destinations as well as our common love of Hawaii. He was such a friendly, charming man that we looked forward to connecting with every year. My husband spent the last morning of Stan's life having coffee with him and catching up. He was so excited about getting back to Maui full time. The day of the accident all of us traveling with him were just devastated. The one thing that kept the rest of us going through out our trip in South Africa was knowing that Stan had seen something that morning that made him ask the driver to pull over so he could capture a beautiful memory for all of us. He left this world looking at the beautiful coast of South Africa doing what he did best... capturing unforgettable moments for all of us to remember for a life time.

Our hearts, thoughts and aloha go out to his parents, wife, family and dear friends. He will truly be missed by the many lives he touched by his friendship and talent.

Aloha,
Diane and Junior Kanuha
sunlights@hawaiiantel.net
Kona Hawaii

Saifon,

I was shuffling through old photos this evening, and happened to come across my former mentor and friend, Stan Lynch. A Goggle search sent me to New Vision International and his tribute website broke my heart.

Although we've never met, I'm certain you are both generous and beautiful souls because Stan was nothing but at his core. I ache for your loss and offer these memories as condolence.

I worked with your husband (and Kathy, Ron, Beverly, Jeff, etc...) from 1993-1996 as his everyday wedding / corporate videographer. I was with him when he received his first Mac computer, when he got the Great Western Life account, and often listened to his "big dreams" over sushi dinners at the Maui Prince. And as much as his tragic passing saddens my heart, to know he accomplished his deepest professional desires inspires me to the core.

Technically, Stan taught me how to commit to each shot and find the beauty in everything, in a multiplicity of new and exciting ways. Personally, he was always generous with advice, a listening ear, and money when I needed it most. He was, for lack of a better word... a mench.

With his encouragement, I went on to write and produce film and television in Hollywood. And with God as my witness, Saifon, Stan's voice (teachings) still influence my projects to this day! His sensitivity to light, depth of field, editing brevity, and storytelling helped make me a better artist, but it was his endless compassion as man that made me--and anyone he engaged--a better human being.

My sincerest prayers are with you and your family.
God bless.
Alex James
Sylvan Lake, Michigan
ajames@motionpics.net

David,

I just found out about the death of Stan a few days ago from my cousin Alla Faye Frantz who is Vera Lou's sister (Stan's mother). I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate the memorial web site that you established to commemorate Stan. Our extended family has been spread out and as a result I don't believe I ever had the opportunity to meet Stan and to get to know him. From the postings that you have made possible I have got to know something of him. That does mean a lot to me. Thank you and the many friends that have posted their remembrances of Stan. I found all of them moving.

William Denney Myers
Lawrence, KS
wmyers@sunflower.com

I have just learned of Stan's passing today (12/7/07) as I visited his web site to wish him some holiday cheer. I am in tears and complete shock right now. What a wonderful human spirit, it was an honor to know him.

My wife and I and met Stan back in 1996 and we stayed in touch thru last year. Stan was originally hired by my former company to provide his exceptional video service, those videos will now mean so much more. I never, ever saw Stan without his smile. When we visited Hawaii years later, I called Stan and of course, he knew the most perfect restatuarant and picked up the tab. Stan has friends all over the globe how many of us can say that?

Please everyone, tell the people that matter to you that you love them, while you can. Regret, is a crime against the soul.

Larry Gasparro
Columbus, Ohio
larry.gasparro@gmail.com

Aloha to all of Stan's friends and ohana.

I met Stan Lynch in 1996. Stan and I worked together for Stephen Spielberg's holocaust survivors documentary project, "Survivors of the Shoah" which followed the acclaimed "Schindler's List". Stan & I interviewed most of Hawaii's holocaust survivors.

We bonded together as friends as we wept together while hearing the heart wrenching stories of the survivors of the World War II Concentration Camps. Stan and I continued to work together on various projects and grow in our friendship over the past decade. I last visited Stan and Saifon in Las Vegas in April 2007. His loss is painful, but I know he is in a better place with God, in eternity. His wife and family remain in my prayers.

Mike Knowles
milfilm@maui.net

May 6th 2008
David,

I just went to Stan Lynch's web site and learned of the tragic news. I knew someone that wanted to hire a videographer, so I was just there to get his contact information. How tragic. I am stunned. He was such a positive person. This is hard to believe. My thoughts go out to his memory and to his wife and family.
Aloha,
Robert & Julie Glick
robert@glickdesign.com