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Björn Eike Schwarz

PostPosted: Jan 31, 2005 @ 5:22am
by Chris Edwards
It is with immense shock and great sorrow that we must announce the passing of one of our most frequent, and beloved posters. Björn Eike Schwarz, also known as shapeshifter (and later suchiaruzu) died on the morning of Friday, January 28th, 2005 from an epileptic attack.
<br /><img src="http://www.pocketmatrix.com/forums/files/thumbs/t_neregsnanfsa.jpg">

<!>Eike contributed a great deal to the Pocket PC community. As a skilled graphics artist he contributed endless hours—creating the PocketGamer.org logo, and aiding many developers with their graphics needs.

We would like to extend our deepest condolences to Eike’s family. Leaving this world at a mere 18 years of age, it’s impossible to imagine what they must be going through at this time.

In memory of Eike, we have locked and stickied his here at PocketMatrix.

Fitting with his selfless assistance to others, his signature will remain “Serving the web since 1999”.

We’ll miss you Eike.

Chris Edwards
Matt Keys

PocketMatrix.com



------------



Friday 28th January 2005 morning a good friend of mine ( Björn Eike Schwarz ) died because of an epileptic attack. Björn Eikes funeral is on Thursday 3rd February. If anyone would like to honor Eike with writing a remembrance – please email Lukas Sebastian Grünewald <lukas.gruenewald@gmx.net>

Ours hearts literally broke into a million pieces when we learned Eike had left this world.

He was too young, Eike had too much to share, too much to offer to anyone he touched and would have touched. It isn’t fair.

Eike and I met through of course, PocketMatrix and his on-going love of art, graphics and driving some of you crazy. Randy and I included. But a good crazy, from a genuinely naïve, very warm and loving talented individual.

He strived to be the very best in everything he did regardless of the project or task or just minding his mother to make her proud.

One time he and I were working on a website project – deadlines were approaching and he also had final exams to study for and school projects to complete.

He was so funny about it – he stayed up until 4am to make sure he didn’t let anyone down. And he never did – he kept his promises sacrificing his own sanity. As most of you developers and artists can relate to.

My tears are for having the honor of having him in our lives and touch our lives.

My tears and heartbreak is deep for his family, his mother – losing a child is just too much for anyone to conceive.

Our deepest sympathies pour out to Eike’s family, friends, school mates and all of you that grew to love him as anyone that knew Eike – how could you not.


Andie Clarke-Schleufer
PlanetSchnoogie

To send condolences to his family:

Björn Eike Schwarz
Akkermanner Str. 18
27308 Luttum

Telephone: 0049 4231 62731

PostPosted: Jan 31, 2005 @ 5:35am
by randall
I cannot believe this happened, and he will be severely missed. Links to some of his archived work will appear below, including re-hosted version of his site from 2001 .

Shapeshifters site,

Eike introduced me to Jaybot and Peter- a chance meeting that later allowed us to create and release a game called Snails. Eike also worked on several early Snails interfaces, including this design in yellow:

Image

He really enjoyed interface/skin design. Below are some samples he created for PocketScumm and PocketPalm and a new keyboard layout:

Image

Image

Image

PostPosted: Jan 31, 2005 @ 5:35am
by Maf54
He was a great guy. I really question sometimes why God takes good people away. Rest in peace, my friend.

PostPosted: Jan 31, 2005 @ 5:36am
by sponge
Never been much for words in these situations, so my deepest to all his family.

[edit]<a href="http://pocketgamer.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4576">pocketgamer post</a>

PostPosted: Jan 31, 2005 @ 5:39am
by Dan East
I will miss Eike personally. We chatted numerous times over the years, and he always had such a positive outlook. Whether he was reporting a bug (he has been a DEXplor beta tester since 2002), or checking up on my various projects that seem to never get finished, or just wishing me and my family a Merry Christmas, he would take the time to message me from time to time. He also did work towards translating the hundreds of phrases in DEXplor into German for me, as well as submitting various art designs for the projects I'm involved in. I am very sorry to hear he's gone, and my condolences go out to his family and friends in Germany.

Dan East

Eike

PostPosted: Jan 31, 2005 @ 5:53am
by andie

PostPosted: Jan 31, 2005 @ 5:54am
by Caesar
I don't know what to say. I never did get those Starburst out to you - I procrastinate too much. Thank you for pointing me to some good music (Die Arzte for instance). Rest in peace.

Here's the avatar he edited for me (It may be the original, but I'm pretty sure it's not): Image

PostPosted: Jan 31, 2005 @ 6:03am
by Chad
Wow... this is so horrible... may he rest in peace. My sincerest condolances to his family.

PostPosted: Jan 31, 2005 @ 6:45am
by egarayblas
Man this is so sad. :cry: I was just talking to Eike last week and he has helped us a lot in testing our games. On behalf of the eSoft team, I would like to send my deepest condolences to his family and friends. We'll definitely miss you Eike!

- Erick :cry:

PostPosted: Jan 31, 2005 @ 6:47am
by Courtney White
It was a great honor working with Eike over the years. He was more then willing to baby step with me, helping me understand the industry and the community back when I first signed up for the site. I really wished I could have met him in real life, I tried to head out to Cali while he was here on his student Visa, but was still in High School with no money. I don't think I would understand half as much about PM and Pocket PC's without his help, not to mention the other random crap we discussed.

You never think you would get choked up over a online friend, but Eike was a really cool guy. I believe I have some the work he did for my failed TIM clone oh so many years ago.

If someone could find a picture of "Oscar" that would be cool.

Eike, you will be truly missed. Pass on my condolences to his family. I don't understand why something so random and stupid would strike such a nice person.

Edit: I keep waiting for someone to jump out and say "Just Kidding" but I know its not going to happen. I was thinking that It might be a nice gesture if we got his parents something to show how much we really care. I would be willing to throw in $20 or so to buy them something like a gold cross or something, I'm not sure what their religion is.

On behalf of Matt Keys

PostPosted: Jan 31, 2005 @ 6:51am
by andie
Matt sent this email over to me by way of Justin at ProPortable.

Eike had entered the ProPortable Giveaway contest and we all wanted to share with you what he sent in - as Matt put it:
"That email personifies him; Humor, creativity, helpful"

I am posting for Matt as he is currently working off his PPC.

***************************


Dear Pro Portable people (great alliteration, huh?),

attached you find my logo concept. The logo itself is very simple (great for printing, too). The main aspects are the typography and the two rounded corners. What makes this entry special is the character of Professor Portable (pun intended). As you are renowned for the personal character of your company, I have decided to personify it.
Prof. Portable (or Pro. Portable, if you will) works day and night at his laboratory to deliver the best mobile experiences. I imagine him presenting new / featured products at your website.

Here are my complete details:

Björn Eike Schwarz
Akkermanner Str. 18
27308 Luttum

Telephone: 0049 4231 62731

Email: suchiaruzu@gmail.com

I hope you like my entry. Happy new year from Germany,

Eike

****************************
His Logo Entry Below -

PostPosted: Jan 31, 2005 @ 6:51am
by AizaDGreat
8O This is just so so overwhelmingly sad. Eike's given us countless inputs and contributions as one of our first batch of beta testers. He'll surely be missed on our side of the planet.

:cry:

PostPosted: Jan 31, 2005 @ 7:49am
by Jadam
:cry:

That sucks big time. May he rest in peace.

PostPosted: Jan 31, 2005 @ 7:49am
by Guest
You left hundreds of sad friends and thousands of unfinished ideas behind. We'll miss you, Shape.

-Peter


Eike at CeBIT (Hannover, 2004):
<img src=http://www.pdamill.com/images/eike_cebit.jpg>

Eike's appearance in Anthelion: The Galactic Alliance
<img src=http://www.pdamill.com/images/eike_anth.jpg>

Original Snails screen layout design by Eike at the age of 15:
<img src=http://www.pdamill.com/images/eike_snails.png>

PostPosted: Jan 31, 2005 @ 9:21am
by Arisme
RIP Shapeshifter. A shame to die so young with so many projects and ideas - deepest regards to his family and friends.

Here's the first startup screen he designed for PocketScumm 3 years ago - the additional field to add a game description was a great idea :wink:

Image