My first contact with Chris was through this list. He would sign his postings from Volvo headquarters. As a long time Volvo owner, I asked him offlist about his job. This started many offlist exchanges and he asked me about my frames and how much I charge. One day he called me and said "I'm ready." When I asked him for the deposit, he over nighted it to me. This wasn't necessary but I saw this as a very generous gesture. I was embarrassed to tell him how long it was going to be for delivery. He just said "I don't care. I just want one of yours." After that exchange, he never once asked about the progress of his frame. Chris did agonize a long time about the paint job. He really wanted the paint to harmonize with the decals and to evoke a fancy French feeling. I think he chose well and Brian executed equally well.
After I delivered the frame to Chris, I was so excited to hear about how he liked it. It was winter and the NJ area was experiencing really crummy weather so I was trying to be patient for his feedback. When Spring came, Chris seemed to be unreachable. I just decided he was busy and would contact me when he had time. In retrospect, I can see Chris was more than busy.
Chris was going to be at the Cirque and was going to bring his new bike. I was excited to see it and meet him. On Saturday afternoon, Joe pulled me aside and explained that Chris couldn't be there. I was really disappointed and sensed that something was wrong. Joe explained the situation and I nearly started to cry. I think when a craftsperson puts themselves into their craft or product, there's a piece of themselves in each product and a bond with the recipient of this product. Even though I'd never met Chris Beyer, I felt like he was more than an acquaintance of mine and now I knew that he was dying.
My impressions of Chris are that he was a kind and gentle soul and a true patron of bicycles. He will be missed but not forgotten by me.
Curt Goodrich
Minneapolis, MN