I only spoke with him one time....of course it was at a local show! One thing I know for sure, is that he really dug music. I swear that almost every local gig that I went to, he was there dancing or jamming to the band. Very cool !

March 16, 2012 by Jeff Aden

I remember Vern from Blue Suede Shoes. i was a bouncer there.He was there every weekend,dancing. He was a nice guy,always had a smile on his face. you will be missed..

June 13, 2011 by Ron Sims

I remember Vern from Blue Suede Shoes. i was a bouncer there.He was there every weekend,dancing. He was a nice guy,always had a smile on his face. you will be missed..

June 13, 2011 by Ron Sims

Me and my best friend, Steve, met this guy a few blocks away from Machesney Park Mall. He was walking, and man that's what I remember the most about this guy. He walked everywhere!! I used to see him everywhere, man! Anyways, when we 1st met him, we didn't know what to think about him - all we knew was he was a cool, older hippy cat, man. And freaking funny! We met him in about '94-'95, and he used to wear these tie dye shirts, man. Anyways, I didn't know he died. GOD bless you, Vern.

February 28, 2011 by Micky Gill

My first memory of Vern was just after I turned 21 and I could get into the hottest club in Machesney park, Blue Suede Shoes. He was on the dance floor (of course) doing his thing and my girlfirend was chuckling at his sweet moves. Over the years I have seen Vern rockin the local music scene from the front row and I have grown to have an understanding of what he was all about, the music. If only every one of us had a quarter of the heart that Vern had. From now on when you walk past a place that has a live band, let the "Vern" in all of us get in there and show some support like it's supposed to be shown. Keep it rockin up there Vern, we thank you for the love you have shown for the music that we've played.

January 17, 2011 by Tommy Tsunami

I remember meeting Vern at Davis park many years ago at a show there. He spoke of being at Woodstock and seeing many bands back in the 60's. I never was sure if his stories were real or imagined, but it didn't matter. What mattered was the conversation and the music that Vern was such a big fan of. He knew them all. He invited me to see his record collection. I wish I'd taken him up on it on one of the several occasions I gave him rides home at bar closing. I was always worried about him since he told me of the cruel street people in Rockford stealing his jacket and shoes and beating him up. There's a special place in Hell for them. And a special place in heaven for Vern. I will surely miss seeing him at shows, but I think I'll still see him there at the shows, somewhere there in the shadows.

January 17, 2011 by Bob Schober

I remember Vern, back at the old Deli and Endless nights. Powder blue suit, dancin' up a storm, came to all the shows. He was so fun to talk to. Had not seen Vern since '09, but will always have fond memories, RIP Vern...

January 17, 2011 by Sara Enna

Verne may you fly with the angels and dance on the moon.. Verne was the most awsome guy I think I ever met in Rockford IL..Never asked for nothing,always smiled even in hard times..Supported rockford bands like no one! He will be missed by everybody who knew him..If you did'nt know Verne WELL you don't go out much!

January 17, 2011 by Keri Raymer

I remember when I worked at Take 20 Vern telling us he walked all the way out there to see the band (usually Bullet) because that's just what he knew. When the night was winding down we would see Vern try to sneak out to walk his way home. Many times we had to almost drag Vern back into the bar so that he would wait for one of us to bring him home. Truly a great man that will forever be in our hearts. You will be missed Vern, but you're dancing in heaven now.

January 15, 2011 by Tombo

I remember seeing Vern at almost all the local shows and talking to him every chance I got, and he would never let me down. I would always look for the guy in the Black Sabbath shirt and the fringed leather coat. I remember the last time I talked to him - it was at Shooters Bar where I work. The band Rubik Steel was taking a break and Vern was sleeping in a booth by the stage, so i went to talk to him and ask him if he was ok. He said with a smile on his face "Ya, I'm ok. I'm not as young as I used to be. I've been dancing too much." lol

January 15, 2011 by Tim Berger

I remember during channel 13's weather at 10, Eric Sorensen would point some downtown webcam at the benches across from the newstower. "no rain and nobody out there tonight" The next night, there's vern standing there waving. We laughed so hard. Thanks Vern.

January 15, 2011 by Tom Swanson

Vern simply was a humble friend. He was present at almost every show my bands have performed at for, as far back as I can remember....in essencee, everyone's #1 fan! And oh, the memories he would share of every musical experience he encountered throughout his lifetime. What an encyclopedia of knowledge he had on the topic. If you simply gave him the time and listened, you'd walk away with a rock n' roll history lesson ;-). I always loved hearing about all the concerts he attended dating back to the years before I even knew what music was-HA! I always tried to look for him at a bus stop around town, just to pick him up and take him wherever he needed to go. He'd always make the drive fun. And the appreciation he showed for such a simple act of friendship, was always worth it. Vern, the Rockord music scene will forever be missing you, but we know you'll be with each one of us in spirit. I'm sure I speak for anyone who's ever picked up a microphone, strapped on a guitar or picked up a pair of sticks, when I say 'THANK YOU' for all the loyal support. May you rest well brother...God Bless!

January 14, 2011 by Mark J. Adamany

It was the Taste of Rockford. He was up front as usual dancing and all the kids were joining him. It was really a great site to see. Amazing how one person can touch so many lives. He's danced his way to Heaven I'm sure.

January 14, 2011 by DiAnna Cantele Mazzola

Before I got a car, I used to ride the buses and I'd see Vern on the buses and he didn't know me from Adam, but he would come up to me and say "hey brother" or "hey buddy, how is your day going?" I mean, Vern could make you laugh if you were having a bad day. He was just a fun loving and kind man, and he will be missed.

January 14, 2011 by Brian Wilmot

I remember Vern at Bar3's rockin for autisim He was having a great time with the local bands that night.. I also remember Vern from other local venues where he was a great asset to the music scene. Vern may you keep rockin in Heaven brother.You will be missed dearly

January 14, 2011 by Bill Thebassman Thompson

My last best memory of Verne was at a Pimps show on Main St. for the Green Light District in front of Kryptonite. Stu wore his jacket on stage while Verne was doing the "Verne Stomp" on stage, lol I thought the old guy was gonna kick the bucket right there, on top of the world frozen in time. He was always at the shows, good and bad. He just had a love of music and to be around people. Rock on Verne.

January 14, 2011 by Mark Chamberlain

Vern- I remember helping out my uncle Dalton at a gig at the Stables on a Sunday afternoon. It was a benefit for one of my friends and I was also there taking pictures and video for my uncle, who just happens to be in Bullet. The first time I met you you were sleeping in one of the booths, then somebody got you a coke, you had a few sips, then the riff of Cat Scratch Fever passed through your ears. I was then introduced to the biggest music fan ever. Every so often I would come around you at gigs or see you on the street and say hi, but I'm not sure you ever really know who I was. But I'd just like to say thank you for what you've done for this area and it's music. I look around at all these kids trying to start bad metal bands and then I look at BULLET and my uncle and you and I see true, real and good influences. The loss of you is going to really hurt everyone, but we know God let you bring your Kiss records up to Heaven with you. God Speed Verne -Seth

January 14, 2011 by seth Dulian

My fondest memory would be like so many others. Vern dancing and showing his love for music, both local and national. And how he could put a smile on everybody else's face.

January 14, 2011 by Jerry Smith

Vern made a huge impact in my life about 16 years ago. I was playing in a band called Ichabod, and we would frequently play at the old Billy and Earls, and Irish Rose. Vern would always make his way over to see us. We used to talk for hours about bands and music. Vern always had great taste in music and would even support new, young bands that would come into the Rockford music scene. Last time I saw Vern was during this past fall's Groove Walk. I ran into him at Bar 3 where one of our favorite bands was playing - Too Deep. Jam packed, wall to wall, I found him all the way in the back sitting by himself. I was supposed to be making my rounds, as one of the sponsors of Groove Walk, but realized I needed the world to stop for awhile to spend time with Vern, knowing about his condition. Same conversation as usual, not missing a step in date, bands, and venues he had been to over many years. I spent a half hour with him, wish it had been more. He will be highly missed! My heart, On the Waterfront, Harlan, Too Deep, Stone Free, and many other shows will not be the same and will always have a void - a spot that is Vern's. I say to everyone he touched, the next time you are at a show, that you know Vern would have been at, get up front, right where Vern would have been, and just dance. Dance for one minute for Vern. Love and miss you Vern.

January 14, 2011 by Wade Chamberlain