Eli Thompson 1973-2009
Eli Thompson 1973-2009
UPDATE: A website has been created to help raise funds for Eli’s family. Please follow the link below to see his memorial website
It absolutely devastates us to have to write that earlier today in Lautterbrunnen, Switzerland, our brother Eli passed away. Words will never be able to sum up any person’s life and the effect that they had on the world. This is especially true when speaking of Eli.
The smallest guy on the team had the biggest presence in any room or any airplane. Eli’s story is one of love and innovation. He fell in love with flying at the age of 19. From his first jump he was hooked. It was that love that pushed him to innovate in the sport. As one of the pioneers of freeflying he changed the perception of what it meant to be a skydiver. His ideas and his vision made him part of skydiving history and earned him multiple World Championships and World Records.
Most impressive was his love and dedication to his family. There is no doubt that his wife and two beautiful daughters were his first priority. You could see the smile on his face, over the phone, when he announced that he and Sarah were expecting a little boy. His eyes would light up whenever they were around or whenever he could brag about them. Eli was a textbook example of a loving husband and a perfect father.
His love for life was infectious making each minute pure magic. Eli’s passing leaves a huge hole in our hearts and our lives. He was and always will be the man. Thank you for all the good times man. We love you.
(35 votes, average: 4.57 out of 5)
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shareTags: base jumping, eli, Eli Thompson, SKYDIVING
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I loved this guy. His contribution to the sport is legendary. I spoke to people on every continent tonight, and they were all crying. Eli, you will be missed< Sarah our hearts are with you. Richie and Anna
I loved this guy. His contribution to the sport is legendary. I spoke to people on every continent tonight, and they were all crying. Eli, you will be missed< Sarah our hearts are with you. Richie and Anna
Eli………….
Du kommer att lämna ett stort tomrum efter dig, både i skydive världen och i våra hjärtan.
Vi är tacksamma för att ha fått ta del av din kunskap och din enorma entusiasm.
Tack för alla stunt´s både på film o på marken.
Hälsa Adrian.
Jeanette/ Skydive skane
Our deepest thoughts to Sarah and family.
While we did not personally know Eli, we had heard about his marvleous talent from our friends, his parents.
Eli, Sarah and their children were the bright spot in their lives.
Our heartfelt condolences and prayers go out to the whole Thompson Family.
God speed
Ken and Sarah
The Red Bull family and the skydiving community all over the world have lost a very beloved member. Blue skies Eli! Our thoughts and prayers go out to your family and friends. I’m very glad I had the chance to meet you and work with you. You were one of my skydiving heroes… Godspeed!
An amazing person and talent. Thank you for all you have given in this world, blue skies always.
He will be remembered for so many amazing things. I’ll remeber his energy and excitment for life. My heart goes out to Sarah and their family. Kelly
Although I haven’t seen Eli in years He was a friend to me in High School… I am so Sad about the news of his death. My heart goes out to his wife, and kids, and entire family. You will greatly be missed and forever remembered.
Sweet little nephew Eli….my heart is broken tonight. Rest in peace and know that we will not ever forget you.
Eli may you continue to spread your wings and soar! Much love and light to Eli’s family during this time! His presence will be missed, but his spirit will continue to soar!
So many different cool things in one life time! Really feel compelled to let everyone know about all of the things he did, and yet I know all the right people know what he means. Love you Eli, and all my prayers to your beautiful family.
Still in shock & total disbelief… There is a small, little piece of Eli in so many of us, as he touched so many lives around the world… We are feeling your loss and will always be here for your family. xoxoxo
eli, you leave not a hole in our hearts, but a heart full of love and light, as we knew you through your soul, that is where your trueness is and continues as you soar above all of us now, fly like you know how to fly now brother, we love, one love……xoxo
I have not spoken to or seen Eli since HS, 18 yrs ago. It crushed me to hear the news as he was the type of guy you never forget because of his passion, crazy sense of humor, and intelligence. I am glad to read that he touched the lives of so many people. My heart and prayers go out to his friends, wife, and children.
Eli was a friend from high school who always made me smile. Whenever he was around it was a good time. I am saddened by this tragedy and my heartfelt prayers go out to his wife and children, family and friends. I will forever have fond memories of him. He will not be forgotten.
Great video above featuring Eli & friends. So wonderful to see his enthusiasm~He was LIVING! So sad however, that he is now physically gone from family and friends. No doubt, his memory and spirit will forever dwell in the hearts of those he touched. God bless you all…
Eli was such a treasure. So brave and talented, loving, giving and fun! I’m so grateful to have known him. Sarah, you and your family are in my thoughts.
c’était un garçon exceptionnel, Il va beaucoup nous manquer
Eli our ways have crossed a few times, and it has always been with higest respect for you and your way of living, plessaure to have done your acquaintance my friend, The deppest sympathy with your loved once,
See You
Blue Skies Eli
Bad news, meet you in the other side !
Arnaud
Blue sky eli will miss your smile …
BSBD
You touched so many lifes in such a positive way , you will be remembered by everyone in our heart and soul. Miss you
A wonderfully amazing man with so much personality,passion, kindness, humor, love, and positive energy….what an example we should all strive to live like! I am sorry for the loss in this world of an amazing human!
Eli has a big reason to do with why i became a skydiver.. he will forever be missed
I was nervous when I first met Eli this year - he was such a living legend after all. But he was so warm and friendly and down to earth. This man who had accomplished so much made me feel like the special one! Over this year of new friendship I was privileged to witness him not only as a skydiving god- acheiving yet another world record and do more incredible feats in the sky but also as a loving father and husband to Sarah and their children, to have a laugh and beer with him and always get a hug when we said hello. What a beautiful giving soul. What a truly inspirational man. His legend lives on but he will be sooooo missed.
Sarah & the rest of the Thompson family - so sorry for your loss! Eli was a great guy who brought joy to so many…I’ll never forget the great times and events we shared! RIP bud
Eli… you had an energy that lit up a room, a rockstar personality and a spirit that will never die!! May you remain alive in the hearts of all of the people you have touched!!! R.I.P.!!!!!! My thoughts and prayers go out to your family and friends who are all deeply saddened by your passing!!!! You were one of a kind!!!!
You will be missed by so many. Eternal blue skies.
O
BIG E. what’s up mon frere ? … We are all at a loss with words … We love you … May you soar in the heavens above for ever, watching over us … Our prayers goes out to Sarah, your beautiful children, Lon your amazing father and the rest of your family. We miss you already and are looking forward to take our eternal flight right by your side up in the heavens. Thank you for all the great memories, your energy and your smile. God bless
fly free brother, you were an inspiration to many of us, your great smile will never be forgotten.
blue skies!
Such Very sas news , Eli was one of the friendliest people I ever met Skydiving , Our sport has lost oen of it’s best…
My heart goes out to his family…. Blue Sky’s
Gyspy D-14710
I send you all my love from france;I ll never forget you ;gone to soon we ll miss you,flyboyz forever man fly in peace…pascal
hey eli.
never had the chance to get to know you personally, but your unexpected passing makes me incredibly sad.
about a week ago i was telling my girlfriend, who just graduated from aff, that you and the flyboyz have been the reason for me to start freeflying.
i also told her that i think i saw you one day a few years ago at a dropzone in southern germany not really realizing who you are.
when i read about your accident on facebook last night i was really shocked.
reading all the other comments show me that you must have been an amazing person.
prayers out to your wife, kids and family. watch out for them from your place in heaven.
keep a slot free for me in the eternal flight, even if i might dock on the wrong guy….
love
bruno
[...] his life doing a wingsuit BASE jump in Switzerland. The Red Bull guys have a memorial to him here: redbullairforce.com/2009/08/eli-thompson-1973-2009. We send his wife Sarah, two daughters and soon-to-be son our condolences and [...]
Rest in Peace Eli. I am not a member of your skydiving family but of your film family! You made me laugh and smile when I broke my foot in San Francisco those many years ago while we were working on a TV movie! I still have the picture that was taken of you and I after I came back to the set, on crutches. The picture is hanging on my wall!I will never forget you, Eli!
Eli had an amazing gift of making everyone smile-his smile was so very infectious! As was his passion for everything he did! Eli, you will be so dearly missed! My thoughts and prayers are with your wife,Sarah your two daughters, your unborn son, your Dad, Lon, and your brother! Rest in Peace and Fly Free
I did not have the honor of meeting someone as so loved and respected by his peers. I know that I to love the feeling and I know it is not the most presented idea, but I am glad to see those who love something so much, they leave this world with it in hand.
Your love for the sport will be missed and may I see your spirit in the skies from time to time as an inspiration to never stop trying or believing.
Blue Skies Brother!
Eli, you will be greatly missed. Thank you for all the good times, laughs, and of course, your amazing energy. My deepest thoughts to Sarah and family.
Blue Skies. Blue Skies.
Recently when Eli was filming scenes from Human Flight here in Sebastian, FL I had the pleasure of meeting him in passing between takes. My boyfriend and I were extras on the set and were thrilled for the opportunity to have met Eli and the other skydivers/thrillseekers who are filming the movie. It takes a lot of bravery to do what they do. How sad this news is, especially for his family. Though from reading comments posted here I sense that the skydiving community worldwide is tightknit, and will most certainly be of whatever assistance they can to his wife and children. There is comfort in knowing that.
Got to share the same plane with the red bull crew in florida thanks to a friend of mine who’s great friends with the producer of their upcoming movie… These guys rock!! Eli was a Blast! So down to earth, high energy and full of life! What an Inspiration! My heart goes out to his wife and Children… They are the ones who are losing… The skydiving community
Got to share the same plane with the red bull crew in florida thanks to a friend of mine who’s great friends with the producer of their upcoming movie… These guys rock!! Eli was a Blast! So down to earth, high energy and full of life! What an Inspiration! The skydiving community has been built on what Eli and his teamates have learned for us! My heart goes out to his wife and Children… They are the ones who are losing… may he live on forever in our memories, Fly Free
Blue skies
Eli, Sarah and the little ones … may this message add some comfort for the times to come … personally, the States, Perris and the sport will have changed from this moment onwards … You will be missed by many who had the pleasure meeting you and jumping with you and remembered by all … Rest in peace …
Eli, I will think of you whenever I look up at a sunlit blue sky. We in your film family join your skydiving family in celebrating your remarkable life. We pray that Sarah, Lon, and the rest of your family will come through this difficult time to find comfort and peace.
Working in the film industry and then on Secret Agent 420 with Eli was always the best of times. He was an inspiration and a good friend! I am absolutely floored by this unfortunate turn of events….
You will be missed ELI!!!
I had the privilege of growing up with Eli back in Springfield, Oregon. He always stayed true to his heart and ambitions, even back then. I’ll never forget them times. He will be truly missed. Thanks for being a friend, bro…
I had the privilege of knowing Eli for A very brief period of time and to my regret due to economic circumstances I did not get to know A man, that in my brief relationship with in my opinion was A very kind charismatic person full of life. I am truly shocked to hear the news of his untimely death and my heart goes out to his Family.
When we moved into our home 9 months ago we had no idea of the professional achievement of our new neighbors, Eli and Sarah. Eli was the first one over to welcome us to the neighborhood when my husband was out working on the lawn. He has the most genuine and warm personality and we were immediately taken with the family. As the summer continued and more BBQ attended we got to know them better as friends. We had the privilage of attending his birthday party and that was when we saw how serious he was about skydiving. As I go online and read about his achievements I am even more amazed at how truly “down to earth” both Eli and Sarah are and I just wanted to share how truly blessed we feel to have been touched by this wonderful, beautiful and talented man even if it was for a little while. Our hearts ache for your family and we will be here when you need us.
I was the 2nd unit director on Austin Powers Goldmember when Eli jumped out of a helicopter and landed in the back of a speeding convertable Jaguar, all in one shot. He was, by far, the most charismatic and talented jumper I have ever met. I can’t remember one time that he didn’t have a smile on his face and total enthusiasm for the sport, no matter what the conditions. He will be missed by all and I am glad that I was fortunate enough to come into contact with him. He was the best.
I too grew up with Eli and Nato in Springfield, Or. He was always a little charmer and most all of my favorite childhood memories include Eli in some role. This is very sad news and my heart goes out to the Thompson’s.
Our hearts go out to Eli, his wife Sarah, the girls, his parents and all who knew him. We met him once (at his father’s wedding) and were very impressed with this attractive, outgoing young man.
Kevin and Cindy Morrison