Charles W. Nystrom, 54
The police have identified the man killed on his bicycle in Tucson last night as Charles Nystrom. Tucson Citizen article here.
I’m just going to let the first three comments on the article do the talking.
1. Comment by A C. (Apstudent34) — August 15,2008 @ 1:20PM
charles was my enviromental science and anatomy and my swimming teacher.. he was an amazing person.. i looked up to him as a hero. he rode his bike to save the enviroment and he rode for 2 and a half hours to get home from work at silverbell. he was an inspiration and my favorite teacher in the whole world. i will miss him dearly and i will never forget him in my heart.. this is for you charles
– alison
student of charles. and i will never forgeet the day they pronounced him dead.2. Comment by Dan R. (#1368) — August 15,2008 @ 1:27PM
Wonderful dead teacher who apparently ignored the law, like most bike riders in Tucson.
Bicyclists, take heed!!!!
3. Comment by dale m. (dale6563) — August 15,2008 @ 1:47PM
Yeah he was amazing allright,,, amazingly stupid.And to ride for 2 and a half hours to get home from work, what if he had a flat that would be a long walk.
My condolences to all who knew Charles. He sounds like an inspirational and well-loved man.
–Erik Ryberg
Update: Charles was a teacher at Accelerated Learning Laboratory. He did indeed commute by bike. The AZ Star has a just slightly better description of what happened:
Nystrom, a Tucson resident, was riding out of Morris K. Udall Park northbound when he was struck by an eastbound 2000 Ford F-150, according to Sgt. Fabian Pacheco, a Tucson Police Department spokesman.
The driver of the truck — a 20-year-old woman — was changing from the curb lane to the median lane and did not see Nystrom as he tried to cross East Tanque Verde Road, Pacheco said.
It appears that Nystrom failed to yield to the truck, he said. No citations have been issued.
–EBR
August 15th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
I did know Chuck, and he was a great husband & father and a very sweet person.
August 15th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
i just talked to him on sunday after not having talked to him for 9 years. he was a great person.
August 15th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
Dan and Dale,
Get a life boys. There no answer for your stupidity and ignorance. I’m happy to know you were both there when the accident occured. Maybe you should become lawyers. It sounds like Dale needs to work out, and not just his mouth.
August 15th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
God Bless Charles Nystrom R.I.P.
August 15th, 2008 at 6:47 pm
I think it is sad that some people would comment so arrogantly about a person’s death. Obviously this man was a teacher loved and respected by his student and comments like the ones made after Alison’s comment serve not to warn bicyclists but to make a young, broken heart bitter. How would you feel if you were a teen who just experienced the death of someone you cared about, only to get a response that includes the words, “amazingly stupid” about the person lost. Alison, not everyone in the world is so harsh. I am sorry for your loss and I hope that you grow up to be the kind of person that your teacher was, giving yourself to others and to this world, than to be like the others who responded, only looking to break down others. Dan and Dale, how many mistakes have you made in your life that should have or could have taken your life? I am sorry for all of the young students that must be grieving. Remember that life is uncertain. Make the most of each day and always show kindness to those around you!
August 15th, 2008 at 7:43 pm
Bravo– Tara–my condolences to his family- and you –peace –Dean
August 15th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
Charles was a great man! Those who left the rude comments need to learn how to respect those who have passed and those who are grieving. Leanne and I were students of Charlie and he was amazing. He was so dearly dedicated to his work and his students. He was teaching us AP Psychology and had previously taught AP Biology. He had also participated in research at the UofA. He was not only a teacher but a friend and a confidant to all he taught. We were all very close to Charles and when we heard the news this morning we all were devastated. Our whole school broke down in tears. He will forever be in our hearts and will always be with, us maybe not physically but most definitely in spirit. He was an amazing person.
August 16th, 2008 at 4:39 am
condolences from the Naples (Italy) Church of Christ. We will always remember a sweet brother like Chuck Nystrom.
August 16th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
charles was a great teacher of mine. we had some bad and some good times. i will really miss him. the guys that talked down about him need to get a life.
August 17th, 2008 at 10:04 pm
Thank you to everyone for their support during this difficult time for my family.
August 18th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
I am a parent at the school that Charles taught at. I did not know him that well, as my children are in a different grade level however he did teach them a few times. My children spoke very fondly of him as well as many teachers and other students. This tragedy will forever change many lives of everyone who knew him and loved him. I saw fist hand the devestation the students, teachers and staff felt that sad day. We all should try to show the compassion and respect that he often gave to everyone. My very deepest condolences to his family, friends, collegues and to his students. Please let’s respect each others feelings and be careful about what we all post. It’s extremly difficult to read such harsh words about someone you cared for.
August 23rd, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Charles was a really great teacher. I was in some of his classes and those people that dont have a life and talk shit are wrong. He rode his bike and bus to help our enviroment. Go get a life!
December 15th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
I was a person who was onsite when this happened and the first to get to him after he was hit I was behind the truck that hit him. I gave him cpr until the ambulance arrived. I am so ticked people are talking about him this way. He was a person!!! A REAL life person and how dare you talk about a person’s death this way. I was deeply affected by his death. I held this man’s hand until he was unconscious and started convulsing. I also hugged the crying woman who hit him. I don’t think she should go to jail, but I am sorry she would not have hit him if she hadn’t cut us off. We were slowing down to let him cross when he started the truck was not out front and he was off his bike crossing unlike MOST cyclist. So for those of you who have no idea what you are talking about I hope you feel REALLY bad about your comments. RIP charles
February 24th, 2009 at 7:20 pm
I was a high school classmate of Charlie’s and was hoping to see him at our 38th year reunion in April. My deepest condolences to his family and brother Tommy
April 1st, 2009 at 7:14 pm
My friend that goes to the school Charles used to teach at, i used to go there till recently, and she told me that the lady that hit him was on drugs and was under aged drinking while driving. This is disturbing… my mom said “She will probably be doing some time.” my dad says “That is horrible, i am sorry.”
May 26th, 2009 at 12:22 am
I knew Charly since high school. I saw him every holiday when he was at the acadmy. Ill miss him