In Memory of Paul Weir

[Hayabusa]

I would like to add something here in response to a fallen brother - Paul Weir;

I did learn today that Paul did in fact take his own life. It is not a rumor. This is completely devastating to everyone that knew him, everyone who saw the man that he was go through all that he did and sincerely pull for him as the seemingly proverbial underdog.

Paul Weir had a good heart. His passion for machines and that for the Porsche marque should always be thought of first as opposed to anything else negative that remains in our memories.

Paul was under extreme duress and pressures to not only bring about his own life but survive in a fallen economy. Stricken also by a severe physical destabilization that kept him from appearing whole compared to others, he fought hard in spite of the challenges and with his head down he worked passionately on a steady path of perfection.

With every aspect of who he was and what he had come through in all of his trials and tribulations, he strove solely to break out, come clean and prove himself once again to the Porsche community. Surely, there were those that remember his tough times in Seattle, but even though he had gone through that time, he was just like any one else that had been knocked down in life, he merely wanted to reclaim his good name and stand tall once again. He wanted this so bad.

But the odds were apparently stacked against him. Sadly he felt there was no other course of action than to end the constant drone of misery and onslaught of endless frustrations,,, and without so much as a cry for help,,, end his life.

Let us remember the man not for what mistakes he made in his walk through his life, but for the good that he stood for and brought to this industry. Sure as there are those that will come forth with not so fond memories,,, certainly there are those that can think back on the smiles and laughter they shared with him while he was here. This will always be the more admirable approach in honouring him.

Godspeed, my friend Paul. May you rest in comfort of God's light and never worry again.

[flat6pilot]

Well said, Chris.

I didn't know Paul but I knew who he was in the Porsche community. Sorry to hear about this. Condolences to his family and friends.

[356RS]

Very well written and understood Chris. R.I.P. Paul

[Dantilla]

Wow. Sorry to hear of this.

I spoke with Paul briefly when he had his shop in Seattle. Really a nice, knowledgable guy.

What impressed me was that even after he lost his space in downtown Seattle, his former employees said nothing but good things about him, and felt sorry for the tough times he had been through.

He put together a great crew. His shop was a pleasure to work with.

Sorry to hear he's gone.

[Matt Monson]

I'm sorry to hear this. RIP. May peace with with his family and friends.

[john walker's workshop]

paul once said "you gotta do what you gotta do", and he did. rip paul.

[kodioneill]

Did not know him but now I feel as though I do because of your well written remarks.
Sorry you lost a friend my condolences.

Michael

[McLovin]

So sorry to hear.

My memories of Paul will be from his many years of success, in the 80s and early 90s.

I know he had a very long, difficult time after that. I hadn't heard anything about him over the last few years, I had hoped things had turned around but apparently that was not the case.

Rest in peace Paul.

[Bob Kontak]

Nicely done, Chris.

RIP Paul.

[bavaria911]

Chris - You are a good man. Well done.

Vr,
Scott

[LuckyRR]

Very Sad to hear the story end like this...

[Carl_Boehme]

My sincere condolences To Paul's family and friends. May God give all of you strength and courage as you grieve.

[Porsche Head]

God bless.

Cliff

[Britwrench]

Bearing in the mind how his illness was taking it's toll, he took the action that probably many others would do faced with the same situation.

My condolences to the family.

Mark

[nize]

paul was one of the few independent porsche specialists who worked on my factory-new 951 back when he had the seattle shop.

fast forward two decades later and i heard he had relocated up north so i paid him a visit. he remembered my car and was very excited to show me the magnesium factory racing engine covers he had recently acquired.

that type of long-lived enthusiasm for all things porsche is always rare to find in anyone and will be missed.

[kach22i]

I did not know the name, so I looked him up.

An interesting write-up in the "About" section.

And some very interesting SR-71 pictures too under "Images".

2003: SR-71 (tail#971) Assembly Volunteer
Paul Weir Porsche Engine Expert

[Hayabusa]

Originally Posted by bavaria911

Chris - You are a good man. Well done.

Vr,
Scott

Thanks to you and to all. I just wrote out of my heart for him. It just so hard to lose a life anytime.

I am just one man that spent little time with him. I hope others here that knew him share their experiences. Those times written out help us all share the good times when he really did give.

So many times he worked on my 930 with no charge ending in just laughter. He just loved to turn a wrench and fix a problem. Not too many will ever do that. He once told me that was the nicest early 930 he had ever seen. His enthusiasm for the machine was obsessive.

[wp935]

............................ RIP Paul, you did the best you possibly could .....................


Well done Chris........... Regards to the family ...................

[Rich Lambert]

Sorry to hear this. I got to know Paul a little when I was the PacWest PCA newsletter editor and he was an advertiser. He seemed like a good guy and, at the time, had a good reputation in the local Porsche community. He hosted a couple of tech sessions for the local PCA and everyone liked gawking at his Porsche racing stuff and his blown Harley. From all outward appearances, he was livin' the dream.

He worked on my 912 and 944 a couple of times. His was one of the few shops around Seattle that wasn't too snooty to work on a lowly 912. They also did a PPI on a 356 I was looking at buying...thanks to them and lucky for me, I passed. They were a good source for 911/912 parts too.

He gave me a tour of the engine assembly line right after he set it up. He was pretty jazzed about that, and his new business plan. It appeared to me as though he had all his ducks in a row for success...the best laid plans.

Sincere condolences to his family and friends.

[al lkosmal]

I didn't know Paul very well, but I met him while touring the engine assembly line, which was impressive............and years later I visited him at the new shop in Lakewood.

It's a shame.........he really had vision.

RIP

al