SANDIE M. ERARD, 1942 - 2007
Sandie Erard receiving her AAC pin from her husband, Phil.
Sandie Meil, my beloved wife and partner for almost 25 years, passed away suddenly in early January from complications from leukemia, a disease she had been battling for more than three years. This came as a shock to most of our friends, as Sandie, not wanting sympathy or condescension because of her condition, wished to keep it secret. Naturally athletic, Sandie took up climbing late in life because so many of our friends were climbers and she hated to be left on the sidelines. But she was determined to get into the AAC the old-fashioned way, with a climbing resume that she could be proud of. So for a five-year period she climbed extensively, not only here in the Northeast, but also in the Canadian and American West, as well as the Alps. Among her accomplishments were climbing Devils Tower and the Arête des Cosmiques in Chamonix. Basically a rock climber, Sandie drove her French guide (and her husband) crazy by not being willing to change from the rock climbing shoes she was comfortable with to mountaineering boots for the mixed sections of the climb. One of her proud moments was having her accomplishments recognized and receiving the AAC pin at the 1997 New York Annual Dinner.
Her memorial service in late January, actually a celebration of her life, was packed with friends from all walks of life. But the overwhelming support of friends from the climbing community stood out and will always be deeply appreciated. Climbers seem to understand, better than most, the importance of coming to funerals and comforting those experiencing grief and a great loss.
Phil Erard