Patrick Vandam passes away

March 20, 2010 at 6:11 pm by ojrifkin · More posts about:Patrick Vandam

The United States Air Force Academy alumni memorial page lists that Patrick Vandam (USAFA class of 2006) passed away on March 17.

update I have added pictures from the awarding of the IFOCE 2008 rookie of the year trophy where Patrick Vandam was a finalist. (Juris Shibayama and Juliet Lee, the winner, were the two other finalists)

(pictures from valjean615 flickr)

Comments (32)

32 Comments »

  1. Anonymous said

    March 20, 2010 @ 6:28 pm

    That is so sad.

  2. spraymucus said (Registered July 1, 2009)

    March 20, 2010 @ 7:12 pm

    It’ sawlays tragic when somebody so young passes away. Thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

  3. Anonymous said

    March 20, 2010 @ 7:27 pm

    Are we sure it’s the same Patrick we know? This person is apparently from Utah. Isn’t our Patrick from Minnesota?

  4. KevinRoss said

    March 20, 2010 @ 7:34 pm

    I called the funeral home just now to confirm this is the right Pat Vandam. . .unfortunately it seems to be as they confirmed his parents were from Eagan, MN. . .I do not know the circumstances of death or any detailed information, I just called there because I was hoping it wasn’t true. . .I only hung out with Patrick twice, but he seemed like a really interesting, standup guy. What a horrible tragedy.

  5. ojrifkin said (Registered July 27, 2005)

    March 20, 2010 @ 7:46 pm

    The Patrick Vandam who attended the Air Force Academy was from Minneapolis

    http://www.goairforcefalcons.com/sports/m-swim/mtt/vandam_patrick00.html

  6. Wild Bill said (Registered September 19, 2006)

    March 20, 2010 @ 7:56 pm

    His Facebook page indicates that he did graduate the Air Force Academy in 2006, and the family has been posting there. Our condolences go out to the family for their loss.

  7. sad said

    March 20, 2010 @ 8:17 pm

    http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/pevandam?v=wall&ref=ts

  8. Pat From Moonachie said (Registered December 10, 2005)

    March 20, 2010 @ 10:25 pm

    Going over his facebook page he seemed to have lead quite a dynamic life …rest in peace, buddy

  9. beautifulbrian said

    March 20, 2010 @ 11:51 pm

    Although it irks me just to give OJ Rifkin the satisfaction that i posted on this site , my thoughts and prayers go out to the Van Dam family. I heard the news before it was reported on here and was thinking of orchestrating an obituary page but everyone seems to flock here instead of my site so i thought it would be best to express my condolences where most of you seem to gather. I dont believe his death was homicide or accident related . Did not come as a shock to family members so its obvous that he was sick. He will be missed . Great competitor and although i never met him he appeared to be a young man with alot going for him. At age 27 he was just getting started in life. RIP

  10. SyKoBOZO said (Registered September 17, 2007)

    March 21, 2010 @ 1:37 am

    that really sucks, he was a great guy, my condolences to his family.

  11. anonymous said

    March 21, 2010 @ 1:53 am

    No guarantees in life. The more time you spend on the earth the more you were blessed. Some advertise their illness as an escape mechanism finding comfort in letting the world know while others prefer to keep it private. Seaver Miller is another who was gravely sick but bowed out without letting on.

  12. Big Sexy said

    March 21, 2010 @ 2:13 am

    I never met Pat but I do take it to heart because all of us eaters are pretty much a fraternity. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.

  13. "Tiny" said (Registered March 5, 2008)

    March 21, 2010 @ 2:32 am

    The brethren we have become.
    To lose one can make us numb.
    May our wishes be with Patrcik Vandam.
    -The Rauscheder Family

  14. Ray said

    March 21, 2010 @ 8:29 am

    My thoughts and Prayers go out to the Family of Patrick.

  15. anonymous said

    March 21, 2010 @ 9:28 am

    Big Sexy i beg to differ on that . An associate in CE not an eater once said about competitive eaters, these are not the people you would want to socialize with on the outside or go out to dinner with. I would have to agree . Outside of a few emails or facebook remarks, most don’t want to know you

  16. Crawfish said (Registered May 24, 2008)

    March 21, 2010 @ 10:55 am

    I am sad to hear about the death of Patrick Vandam. I remember when he finished 6th in the 2007 Grits Eating Championship. That was the first eating contest I saw in person.

  17. Kory said

    March 21, 2010 @ 10:56 am

    I once overheard a IFOCE associate state we are all a bunch of overweight misfits.Afew older eliite Ones were mentioned.

  18. anonymous said

    March 21, 2010 @ 11:02 am

    R.I.P. Pat. Seems like a nice kid, what a shame.

    what the hell is wrong with this mentally deranged brian guy who has to turn an obituary blog comment into his own platform of hate toward OJ? Come on dude sometimes you get just get to the issue and keep your personal problems out of it. GET HELP

  19. Steakbellie said (Registered August 11, 2006)

    March 21, 2010 @ 11:15 am

    This is all very sad and confusing. He appeared to be taking advantage of so many exciting things in life. 27 is just too young.

  20. beautifulbrian said

    March 21, 2010 @ 9:18 pm

    anony March 21 11:02 you just reitirated what i mentioned on the March 20 update of facebook fables http://beautifulbrian.com/fables.html. By expressing my opinion assholes such as yourself assume the role of shrink and also assume that i have major issues. Note that you even used the word “dude” which i cited as an example. Thank you for falling into the category of a snotnose millenium born punk that thinks people have mental issues for being opinionated

  21. Dude said

    March 21, 2010 @ 10:56 pm

    Hey dude i think you need to get a dell

  22. Anonymous said

    March 22, 2010 @ 7:48 am

    Please folks, be quiet…this is like yelling at a funeral

  23. Anonymous said

    March 22, 2010 @ 7:49 am

    Does anybody know how or what Patrick died from? There is no news on line.

  24. Mega Munch said

    March 22, 2010 @ 10:45 am

    This is very sad. My thoughts go out to his friends and family.

  25. LewisvilleTX said

    March 23, 2010 @ 4:20 pm

    Patrick was winner of the 2008 World Tamale Eating Championship here in Lewisville and was very gracious and kind to the fans who met him that day. Our sincere condolences to his family and friends.

  26. A friend of the family said

    March 31, 2010 @ 8:15 pm

    Seeing your postings here I thought I would clarify that it is indeed the Patrick Vandam you all speak of. Patrick was free diving out in Utah when he drowned. I do not know further details other than the fact that his death was an accident in a sport that certainly has its risks. Patrick’s death was unexpected. His FB page seems to be a logical place to leave thoughts for his family for as one of you mentioned his family has been checking it somewhat. My condolences to those of you who knew him. Patrick was a good kid with a great sense of adventure.

  27. Gerald Vandam said

    April 6, 2010 @ 10:26 pm

    I’m Patrick’s dad, he passed away freediving at a place called the Crater located in Midway UT. He was practicing for the US National freediving championships in Kona HI to be held at the end of April. He had done a few dives on the 17th of March, the last free dive was for 6 minutes and 30 seconds and stated he was going to be down a little longer on the next and his last dive. We suspect he passed on the way up on his last dive.

  28. KevinRoss said

    April 7, 2010 @ 12:57 am

    Thank you for letting us know the circumstances. I am very sorry for your loss.

  29. Steakbellie said (Registered August 11, 2006)

    April 7, 2010 @ 8:53 am

    Mr Vandam,
    Thank you for taking the time to share with us the details. We have all said prayers for you and your family.

  30. Pat From Moonachie said (Registered December 10, 2005)

    April 7, 2010 @ 9:59 am

    Thank You Mr. VanDam,

    There’s no wonder why Pat was a great competitive eater ..he clearly had a Voracious appetite for life.

  31. WingKong said (Registered December 19, 2006)

    April 7, 2010 @ 10:49 am

    Mr Vandam,
    Thank you for taking the time to share with us the details. I am very sorry for your loss and I hope you find some solace in knowing he passed doing something he loved.

  32. Rhonda Evans said (Registered March 6, 2008)

    April 7, 2010 @ 2:36 pm

    Dear Mr. Vandam,

    Thanks for sharing that information and like many good folks here have said, your family has certainly been in our prayers.

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