National security reporter Bill Gertz is one of the most famous members of The Washington Times staff. But to aficionados of skateboarding, the real star of the Gertz family was Bill's son Derek -- who died last week, doing what he loved best:
Derek Gertz, 18, of Bowie, a nationally distinguished skateboarder, died Friday of head injuries suffered in an accidental fall while skateboarding in College Park. ....He may have been a natural, but Derek worked relentlessly to improve his skills, as can be seen from this video, which shows him practicing at home:A semiprofessional, he was a two-time winner of the local Mountain Dew Free Flow Tour, in 2003 and 2004, and he competed in a national tournament in San Diego. He participated in several film and video productions about skateboarding.
"Everybody in Bowie that's ever been good on a board, and everyone who wanted to be good, thought Derek was the best skateboarder Bowie ever produced," said Kevin LeMaster, co-owner of Velocity Skate Shop in Bowie, which sponsored Mr. Gertz from 2003 to 2007. "He was a natural," agreed Velocity co-owner James Grayson.
That kind of single-minded devotion to mastering his technique -- becoming the kind of skateboarder who makes the most difficult tricks look easy -- propelled Derek to the top. This is him, in scenes from the skateboarding documentary, "Colors":
Derek's death was announced by Mike Holm on the skateboarding forum Perception:
Derek was an extremely talented Skateboarder, Video Producer, Writer and DJ. Derek lived his life with a direction that most can only dream we had the courage to do, but never will.Derek was a founding member of the Perception forum. A tribute thread on the forum has already generated nearly 300 responses, including this one, from "vx1klove":
He was definitely a ripper and a chill kid, he really helped me out trying to get my friend sponsored and gave me some good advice. A real loss
-- Robert Stacy McCain, assistant national editor, The Washington Times
Comments (7)
What a terrible loss. Losing a child has to be the worst pain ever.
One thing jumps out at me in both videos: No helmet.
Posted by Craig | July 31, 2007 6:12 PM
My condolences to the Gertz family.
Posted by El Duderino | July 31, 2007 7:33 PM
We are so sorry for your loss.
Posted by suzynjoe | August 1, 2007 12:40 AM
To the Gertz family I offer my sincere condolences for their heartbreaking loss. When I was a child my family experienced a similar loss. And now that I'm a parent, I can still only imagine the pain of loosing a child. Even after watching how my parents grieved so deeply. We all still miss my brothers and speak of them often, though it's been many years since we lost them. Derek lived his life doing what he loved with great passion and conviction. I'll remember him as a great example of chasing and achieving one's dreams.
Sincerely,
Mark S. Deal
Posted by Mark S. Deal | August 1, 2007 2:08 AM
My condolences to the Gertz family on this tragic loss.
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