In Memoriam: Whitney Kerr

Discussion in 'Whatever' started by treblekicker, Jun 7, 2018.

  1. treblekicker

    treblekicker Beggars Can't Be Choosers

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    In Memoriam: Whitney Kerr
    I haven't seen anything posted here about Whitney's passing, but wanted to give folks a place to share if they so desire.

    My relationship with Whitney was limited: a few customer support emails over the years and probably a few exchanges on the now defunct Rotofugi message board, but those encounters were always so positive & good natured. Rotofugi, in the form of Whitney and Kirby, were a huge influence in the early days of my collecting as I transitioned from "urban vinyl" to the good stuff, so the Kerrs will always hold a special place in my heart.

    The toy collecting world has lost a wonderful person far too soon, and my deepest condolences to Kirby and family.
     
  2. noeleaser

    noeleaser Addicted

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    In Memoriam: Whitney Kerr
    This is so sad...
    The toy community has definitely lost one of the "good ones."
    I have a business relationship with Rotofugi, I've never had the honor of meeting Kirby or Whitney in person, but Whitney was always so wonderful to deal with.
    She will be missed... :(
     
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  3. ultrakaiju

    ultrakaiju Die-Cast Staff Member

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    In Memoriam: Whitney Kerr
    I was really sad to hear of Whitney's passing this week. It has been a fairly tough year within our little circle of toy collecting, and this news darkened the cloud further. Rotofugi - through the direct work of Kirby and Whitney - brought (and always gave) so much to this community, not just in providing us a well-needed medium to access toys and discuss with people who had a shared appreciation. I am sure that many folks now familiar with the 'hobby' came directly through exposure offered by their efforts. And in a world where more and more shops were going online only, exclusive distribution, etc., they provided a real experience and knowledge, maintaining the shop in its purest sense. The human touch was everything. Whitney will be dearly missed. My thoughts go out to Kirby, the family, and all the extended folks of Rotofugi in this time.
     
  4. Mr. Humphreys

    Mr. Humphreys Mini Boss

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    In Memoriam: Whitney Kerr
    Sorry to hear of Whitney's passing. I met her and Kirby briefly when I was visiting Chicago for the first time in 2007. They were both very welcoming when I stepped into the shop (and asked if they had Uglydolls), and I got to chat with them about toys. Very sweet couple and with hearts of gold, doing what they loved to do. My sincerest condolences to Kirby and to their families. Farewell Whitney, a gentle soul.
    ...and yes they had lots of Uglydolls
     
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  5. quentor

    quentor Addicted

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    In Memoriam: Whitney Kerr
    She was amazing. I live in MN and Chicago/Rotofugi is the closest gallery to me so I went often to shows. One time I set my bag down and someone shoplifted it. Instead of it being my problem she went to the shelves with me and had me repick each item and gave them to me. She said she wrote it off. Her concern and care for her customers and friends was omnipresent.
    They have a young son as well, Lazlo. God my heart just aches for them.
     
    Last edited: Jun 7, 2018
  6. Lttr Prssd

    Lttr Prssd Comment King

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    In Memoriam: Whitney Kerr
    Really bummed to hear about this. I feel badly that I didn't even know she was sick. I thought I was friends with the Kerrs on Facebook, but I guess I just follow their Rotofugi page, so the news of her passing took me aback. I can't even fathom how heartbroken Kirby and their little boy are. Whitney was the same age as my wife so it strikes a chord with me.
    I met Kirby a couple times at different cons, but can't remember if Whitney was there too, or if she had stayed back in Chicago to run the store, but I had a working relationship with them for the whole time I was making cards and prints. Roto was an early and consistent supporter of what I put out, and helped connect me with a number of artists I ended up working with. Because of that I tried to buy from their online store whenever I could.
    Deepest condolences to the whole Roto crew, Kirby, and their families.
     
    Last edited: Jun 7, 2018
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  7. Biff

    Biff S7 Royalty

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    In Memoriam: Whitney Kerr
    Last edited: Jun 7, 2018
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  8. noeleaser

    noeleaser Addicted

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    In Memoriam: Whitney Kerr
    Thanks for this info..

    Whitney will get to try some amazing food up there, Anthony Bourdain just passed away..

    This week fucking sucks..
     
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  9. wingnut0

    wingnut0 S7 Royalty

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    In Memoriam: Whitney Kerr
    This is such a bummer. I had no idea she was sick either. While I haven't bought from Rotofugi in a while, they certainly helped me get exposure to some great toys in my early days of collecting. Rest in peace Whitney.
     
  10. psilo110

    psilo110 Post Pimp

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    In Memoriam: Whitney Kerr
    very sad to hear of Whitney's passing.
     
  11. The Moog

    The Moog Die-Cast

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    In Memoriam: Whitney Kerr
    Very sad to hear of this, like many others Rotofugi was a great help to me when i started down the Sofubi rabbit hole, probably the friendliest people I've ever bought toys from.
     
  12. meanmistert

    meanmistert Line of Credit

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    In Memoriam: Whitney Kerr
    Saddened to hear this news....
    I was fortunate to meet Whitney and Kirby at the gargamel show in 09 I think. They were awesome hosts, with a real passion for toys. My sincere condolences to Kirby and family.
     
  13. fosa comun

    fosa comun Toy Prince

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    In Memoriam: Whitney Kerr
    I met Whitney while visiting Chicago, my days of collecting urban vinyl stuff were over, but I was happy to see that the store had some Elegabs (which she totally hook me up with) and other sofubi...can't say that I was friends with the family but condolences to the family.
     
  14. poysntixels

    poysntixels Post Pimp

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    In Memoriam: Whitney Kerr
    This is sad news. Wasn't connected to them but Kirby was helpful explaining stuff to me in my early days collecting and it was always cool to shop there online. Hate it when nice people check out.
     
    Last edited: Jun 15, 2018
  15. bryce_r

    bryce_r Die-Cast

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    In Memoriam: Whitney Kerr
    Very sad. I have a ton of respect for rotofugi. Good people.
     
  16. treblekicker

    treblekicker Beggars Can't Be Choosers

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    In Memoriam: Whitney Kerr
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  17. ozarkjoe

    ozarkjoe Fresh Meat

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    In Memoriam: Whitney Kerr
    I am not a collector of toys but I knew and dated Whitney back in Arkansas before she moved to Chicago. I searched online for information about her and found this forum and thread about her passing. I last saw her in October 1998. Shortly afterwards she married Kirby. I always wanted to know how she ended up years later. I found out about their store around 2008. I always intended to go in to say hello and fill her in on what I have been up to but I always let other concerns get in the way. It looks like she has done well over the years and I was happy for her. After not paying attention for a long time I looked her up online on May 28th of this year and then found out about her health condition. One week later she was gone. Needless to say I am shocked and this feels like a punch to the gut. I knew people die too young but it was always some distant stranger.

    Here are some details about her of interest that come to mind:

    She was a Southern girl and made it clear that I had to open the car door for her. She forgave my first offense since I was a Yankee who did not know any better. She warned me that if I ever upset her then her Daddy would come after me with his shotgun :shock:. Her parents ran a dental office attached to their house in Malvern, AR. I went with her for a visit home and within 10 minutes of arriving I was in the dental chair for a checkup while Whitney acted as the dental assistant. This was not your typical meet the parents scenario. Her father would keep her awake late to watch C-SPAN and discuss politics. We had many animated discussions about politics and religion. We both were not fans of Bill Clinton. She had a geeky side to her and I think that was one of the reasons why we hit it off. We both were studying science at the University of Arkansas.

    She read everything that Anne Rice put out. We had trouble agreeing on movies and she wanted to see the chick flicks. I had trouble getting her to watch a scary movie. She liked to eat at Taco Bell. She loved the Dagwood sandwich at The Substation in Fayetteville (now Loafin Joe's). Her favorite cocktail was a Midori Sour. If we played a game like mini-golf or table hockey I was expected to let her win. She liked to shop for shoes at Nine West. She had an extensive wardrobe, including the shirts she pilfered from me. :( I helped her move into her apartment in Chicago and she must have had ten large bags filled with clothes. She soon adopted a cat from a shelter to keep her company.

    I don't recall any clear career goals for her at the time she was a student. I knew she would be good at sales with a pleasant phone voice. She wanted to take her parents' home and turn it into a camp for poor underprivileged children. She considered working for Teach for America.

    She visited me in Chicago at Christmas time in 1995. My parents liked her. We went downtown and saw a musical, Miss Saigon. We visited the Field Museum and Water Tower Place mall.

    Every day was different with her as she was unpredictable. She could quickly go from feisty and tough to the helpless damsel in distress, like when she needed me to kill a spider. Anyone that knew her could see that she had a heart of gold as you can see from all of the kinds words being said about her.
     
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  18. ultrakaiju

    ultrakaiju Die-Cast Staff Member

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    In Memoriam: Whitney Kerr
    Thanks for sharing those thoughts here, Joe. A wonderful reminder and tribute that people who pass from this life are individuals like ourselves, each with their own story, who have lead extensive experiences themselves and in so have touched a great number of people. Our lives are intertwined and we each become shaped by the people we meet. A touching eulogy to Whitney as a person, to celebrate and honour her life.
     
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