Wednesday, July 30, 2008

RIP Steven Chaykin


I just got terrible terrible news. All around great guy Steve Chaykin died today in Aspen rescuing his wife. This article reports:

ASPEN - A Florida man has died after jumping into a river on Wednesday while trying to save his wife near Aspen.
The Pitkin County Sheriff's Department says the man, Steven Chaykin of Florida, and his wife, who has not been identified, were near the Roaring Fork River 10 miles east of Aspen up Independence Pass.
Deputies on scene say the woman slipped into the river, then Chaykin jumped in to rescue her, but hit his head on a rock.
Bystanders pulled Chaykin from the water and started CPR, but he later died at the Aspen Valley Hospital.


More from the Aspen paper:

A 57-year-old Florida man died at the Grottos on Independence Pass near Aspen on Wednesday.The man, whose name has not yet been released, slid into a pool to rescue his wife, who had fallen in before him at about 1:30 p.m.The women hit her head and injured her leg, but was otherwise OK, authorities said.The man, however, suffered a severe head injury in the slide then fell over a 15-foot fall into the pool below, witnesses said.A few groups of day hikers at the nearby ice cave jumped into action when they heard screams from the waterfall, but it took five minutes to get the man out of the pool, where he floated face-down.One witness ran to her vehicle and drove toward Aspen, dialing 911 as soon as she was within cell phone range. Others performed CPR until Aspen firefighters and Pitkin County sheriff’s deputies arrived.CPR was stopped at 2:37 p.m.Rescue crews transported the injured woman on a backboard to the trailhead and by ambulance to Aspen Valley Hospital.The Grottos is a popular summertime spot east of Aspen, off Highway 82 as it climbs toward Independence Pass. The Roaring Fork River tumbles over waterfalls and through pools formed in the smoothed stone, creating an enticing spot to take a dip.

The whole community will be mourning Steve's untimely death. Our condolences to his family.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

so sad!!!

Anonymous said...

Thoughts and prayers to his family. This is a great loss.

Anonymous said...

A terrible tragedy. Thoughts and prayers to his family. He will be missed.

Anonymous said...

He died as he lived - a hero, trying to help others.

Todd and in Charge said...
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Anonymous said...

2:09, agreed

A terrible loss for his family and for the legal community.

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

11:40 - you must have been a Defendant of a case that he was prosecuting. Steve was a top-notch guy. Great lawyer and great person.

Anonymous said...

Steve

He will be missed by all who knew him. My prayers go out to his family. As a current client, all I can say is he was a great atty, and has helped me and my family so much over the past 18 months.

Anonymous said...

I worked with Steve during the Carlos Alvarez hearing and it was a great experience to work with him. Steve was truly one of the nicest and sharpest attorneys I have had the pleasure to work with. I was scheduled to with him on an upcoming trial and it came as a shock to hear such terrible news. My deepest empathy and condolences to his family and friends.

Anonymous said...

The profession of federal prosecutor demands an individual to be very bright, forceful, and exacting. Steve exemplified all of these characteristics professionally but as a person was generous, concerned, and as honest and straightforward as one could be. He reveled in his family and always assisted friends who had need. We lament his loss and offer our deepest condolences to Melissa.
Marilyn and Jack Turken

Anonymous said...

As his landscaper for the last 3 years I knew him to be a fair and good man,good husband and father.My condolenses go to Mrs. Melissa,and their daughter.God bless you both.
Sincerely Chris