Hi everyone.
I’m new to this website and I wanted to ask something along with some updates involving Herb Spitzer.
I’m his daughter. My dad had a decline in his mental health and eventually took his own life in December 2023. Before this event took place, the garage where my dad used to work on his surfboards and skateboards burned down. While we were able to recover stuff he left in the house, that fire took what remained of his boards, fins, and materials to make them.
I asked the reddit community about finding some of the boards that are still left and people pointed me to this website. While I would love to find at least one of the fins he made to have as keepsake, I understand if you do not wish to part with these items as they are no longer being made. I would love for those that talked with him to share their stories and post photos if they still have these boards. Please, keep his name alive for those that still remember him. And thank you to those that showed up to his paddle out.
Welcome to Sways.
Truly sorry for your loss.
Fires are tragic for historical creations and collections — lost my classic quiver collected from my teenage years to my late 20s in a house fire along with my first SB build, 45 years ago.
I had some brief interactions with your father here at Sways, but nothing significant. He had some unique creations.
Sways has died and resurrected twice since I’ve been a member.
Hopefully, others who knew him well are still active members and can help you out.
First do a search of the Archives here at Swaylocks. There were a lot of posts by Herb here at Swaylocks. Second; call Steve Albin at Aloha Glassing in Westminster, Cal. Pretty sure,Steve glassed some of Herb’s boards and knew him fairly well. I don’t know when they last did any business. Probably 2010 or there about. I know there was at least one pic of your dad skateboarding posted on here Swaylocks. Sorry for you loss.
Your dad had been active in this community for a very long time and was well respected by many here.
I remember having conversations with him online about his “supercharger” fins probably 20 years ago now.
I know some guys that had some of his fins, but it was a long time ago and they live in Florida and I’m in NC now. I’ll reach out to them though.
Just so you’re aware, you dad posted extensively on this site and there is an extensive archive on here so if you desire, you can go back and read through all of his old posts.
I was a moderator here at Swaylocks in the very early years… Herb was so generous with his tips and advise… Tips that I still use today…
I met your Dad at the first Big Sur gathering of the tribe… Larger than life is an understatement… His stories late into the night around the campfire had a few of us having to walk away for a while because our faces were hurting from laughing and smiling so much… The exchanges with Kirk Putnam were side splitting… His surfing that weekend were so advanced for the era… herb backed up what he claimed and he claimed big!!! I remember him telling about his sparring with Steven Segal, dating one of the Hemingway gals, his Billy Idol impersonator stories, the balls to the walls ski jumping, knowing everyone who was anyone, and his skating exploits… He was one of a kind… And kind he was… Generous too… I was gifted one of his SkaterBuilt boards and I’m sorry I don’t still have it…
I had a surfboard that I needed to be recovered from a law office and Herb raised his hand to do that… He showed up dressed in camouflage, the pants tucked into his calf high combat boots… He had on a bulletproof vest and a FBI hat and was wearing aviator sunglasses… Of course he did…!!!.. The office staff freaked out when he showed up to claim my board…Naturally the asked him to stay outside…!!!.. I’ll try to find a photo…
Herb also loved his dogs, but you knew that… Again, so sorry to hear of his passing and your loss… He won’t be forgotten by anyone who got to know him…
