In Honor and Memory of Kevin Pavlis
Kevin touched our lives through biking and friendship because of Idaho Mountain Touring. So, because of Idaho Mountain Touring, we were blessed to have Kevin in our lives. He met us each time with a smile, jokes and a level of expertise we will always remember. He shared with us the anticipation, birth and life of Sarma...we met Sarma more than once, and we met Elisa at the grand remodeling festivities a handful of weeks ago.
Kevin picked out John's bike for his retirement...he had as much fun as Carol in surprising John! He hand delivered the bike to our home, with Sarma tucked asleep in her car seat one sunny afternoon in June 2007. In addition, he never missed an opportunity to tease Carol about her Specialized Rock Hopper bike...which appeared older than Kevin...the standing joke will live on in our memories.
Our hearts are heavy with immense sadness, for Elisa and Sarma...and for the world at Idaho Mountain Touring...and the world of bikers.
We send our thoughts, energy, prayers and love to his family and friends.
Kevin has given a priceless gift to his parents, family, wife and daughter...he left the world a better place. He honored his passions and he was a kind man with a gentle soul. Kevin is a gift to us all.
Fondly, Carol Cronin Kriz and John Kriz
Hello IMT Friends-
I am deeply saddened at the lost of Kevin on Hill Road this past week.
He was definitely a bright spot at your shop and will be deeply missed.
Both Kelley and I shared many stories of when Kevin helped make special
purchases and support for gift capers.
Please pass on our deepest condolences to those who are missing him
most and his family. We will miss him too.
-Kirk Bachman & Kelley
Kevin was sure on my mind today, as I rode in the Bob Lebow ride on the Trek Kevin sold to me. He was just such a nice guy, and very always very helpful and attentive every time I was in. My heart goes out to his family and the IMT family too.
Wes Scrivner
Dear Chris and team:
I am shocked and so very deeply saddened by the news of Kevin. I knew him from frequenting IMT for the past few years; and he always welcomed me, and any other friend or customer with a smile, and was always willing to help answer questions about bikes, clothing or races. Just last weekend Kevin was riding on a stationary bike with my son, Kaenon, @ IMT pretending to race against him laughing and chatting– it is just unbelievable that Kevin is no longer with us. I can only imagine the loss you and his family are feeling. Please know I have the best, happy memories of Kevin as I know we all do. He will be missed more than words can describe. With greatest sympathy and love, Sarah and Kaenon Price xoxo
Sarah Price
To the staff at Idaho Mountain Touring,
Today's news came as a big shock to me. I couldn't believe that just a month ago I had walked into IMT no more that 10 minutes before closing time looking for some new handlebars for my fixed gear. Kevin was the first to greet me. His smile and his sheer excitement to help me find what i was looking for was as if he was looking for the handlebars for his own bike. After talking for a moment he hurried to the back and come out moments later with a used black riser bar and told me it would be perfect and that he only wanted $10 for it. He then asked what color of grips i had planned my ride, and i told him i was planning on ordering some purple oury grips. He told me it would be no problem for him to get them in for me. In fact he was thinking about getting in a bunch of colors anyway, so it would be no hassle. and to top it all of, he confirmed my girl friends decision to purchase the sparkly gold as well as the zebra print flip flops.
Kevin's enthusiasm for biking and the ability to make someone feel like a friend even though you just met will stick with me. I want to send my condolences to the family and especially to his wife and young daughter. Although i only knew Kevin Pavlis for a short time, he made an impact in my life as i'm sure many others.
Forever a Kevin Pavlis fan,
Justin Soelberg
I used to stop by IMT just to see Kevin. I must own 100 pieces of Icebreaker because I wanted Kevin to know what a great job I thought he was doing choosing the women's line. He also encouraged me to vote for Sarma for cutest baby. I voted over and over again--she was easily the cutest baby. What a tremendous loss for our entire community. Kevin was the definition of "salt of the earth". I will miss him terribly.
Suzanne Bergmann
To all the friends of Kevin Pavlis at IMT and Lactic Acid,
My sincere condolences to you and the family of Kevin Pavlis. I did not know Kevin personally, but did have the pleasure of speaking to him on several occasions while in IMT. Each encounter with him was a positive experience and left me more excited about becoming more involved in the cycling sport and lifestyle. I can’t help but believe that this reflects what kind of person he must have been to his friends and family if he would take time to help and brighten the day of a total stranger. My thoughts are with all of you at this time.
Sincerely,
Kate Schabot, Meridian
Hey IMT gang,
First and foremost, I want you to know that my heart goes out to Kevin's family and the entire IMT family.
There aren't the words for this other than I want everyone to know that I've got all of you on my mind and I'm sending you my deepest sympathies.
I'm going to miss talking to Kevin on the phone as I've had the pleasure of doing for the last four plus years as the inside rep for Trek Bikes.
Kevin was always upbeat. Always positive. Always had a joke and made it not just going business, but made it what I love about this job, getting to know the people, not just selling stuff.
Kevin easy falls into the category of people I absolutely loved talking to.
Another side of what I'm going to miss is talking to Kevin about our daughters.
I have one also, she'll turn two in July.
It was so great talking Dad to Dad with him. I loved hearing him talk about Sarma, you could tell he loved her more than anything else.
I'm going to miss those things. I'm going to miss Kevin.
He was a good soul. I'm glad I got to know him.
Kevin, I'm going to miss you man.
Jamie
Trek Bikes
We are so saddened to hear about Kevin and while I’m sure you hear this all the time, I just wanted to give a specific example of how he always went the extra mile.
I was struggling to find the warmest winter coat and after trying out several different options, Kevin went home on his lunch break and came back with his wife’s coat for me to try on, which is exactly what I ended up ordering. Kevin’s effort and his wife’s equal generosity were above and beyond the call of duty, but will always stick with me.
My husband and I have always commented on how much both of us liked Kevin and are so saddened to hear about this unfortunate tragedy. Our hearts go out to all the IMT team and especially to his wife and daughter. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Mark and Pam Solon
Boise
Chris, Jill, and the IMT family
Please accept Jann's and my condolences and sympathies on your loss. We were profoundly saddened to learn of Kevin's passing this morning. I particularly remember Kevin as genuinely interested and eager to help us when we visited the store. For example, he took a great deal of time with me in choosing a bicycle to ride during my own recovery from an accident when riding my road bike was not possible for me. Kevin could always be counted on for his sense of humor, a smile, and a kind word. Our thoughts are with you and his family and friends.
Tim and Jann
I cannot even speak of the sadness and shock I feel right now at the news of the loss of one of my very dearest friends. Kevin Pavlis sold me on a WSD Trek road bike over a year ago. He also sold me on his personality. We quickly became friends and he quickly became my mentor. I enjoyed the bantering between him and Brian Schutter whenever I stopped by the shop. I always told him he reminded me of the little Kibbles and Bits dog that was always teasing and taunting the bigger dogs. Kevin always made me laugh. We went riding together far too few times. He taught me so much about cycling. He knew it was my dream to ride the century in tomorrow's Bob Lebow ride. He helped me train and gave me so many tips. He stayed late at the shop after it had closed and showed me how to fix flats on both tires in case I got one on the ride. I enjoyed good times with him at one of his favorite places to eat, Parilla Grill. I loved seeing him with Elisa and Sarma and how his eyes would light up whenever they were near him. It was like nothing and no one else was around. Not anything that mattered, anyway. He called me two days ago to brag about how they were at Snowbird and he was sitting in a hot tub drinking hot tea. And of course, there was his cycling. Whenever I had a question about it, I would ask him. Partially just to see his passion for it. Kevin absolutely, positively died doing what he loved the most. He was very much loved and will be sorely and deeply missed. Thanks to everyone at IMT for hiring Kevin and giving the cycling world such a gift. -Andie Woodward
Though my husband went to high school with Kevin, we really got to know him throughout last summer after he helped us in June purchase our first road bikes. His passion for cycling and life was truly contagious. He helped outfit us from top to bottom...bikes, helmets, jerseys, shorts, shoes, clips, bike racks, nutrition and so much more. He answered all of our questions and encouraged us the entire time that we were making the right decisions. So after 3 hours at IMT and several thousand dollars later, we left excited. We came back a week later to check in with Kevin and to tell him that we already rode over 100 miles on our bikes. He was so excited for us. We completed several charity bike rides last year and we were always excited to go to IMT to share our progress with Kevin. He was always cheering us on. He will be missed.
Our deepest sympathies go out to his wife and daughter and the entire IMT family.
James and Jennifur Newhouse
I had the pleasure to get to know Kevin from working with him over the past few of years. I was deeply saddened to hear of this loss last week. Every time I visited IMT Kevin was always there with a smile on his face. He would drop anything as soon as a customer walked into the store to help them find whatever shoes, shirts, dog food, bikes or energy bars they were looking for. Last summer he helped me find the perfect road bike, no doubt I will think of him every time I go for a ride.
My heart goes out to his wife and beautiful little Sarma. The world will not be the same without Kevin and his smile…
I am going to miss you Kevin.
Nicole Wark
Icebreaker
Dear friends at IMT,
I just got back from a trip east, and was shocked beyond words to hear the news of Kevin's tragic death. Almost immediately, into the overwhelming sadness came the joyful memories of Kevin at IMT. He and Brian were instrumental in getting my husband and me set up on new Trek road bikes several years ago. He politely held back comments and just gave us a grin when we told him we had been riding Specialized Rock Hoppers and wearing styrofoam Bell helmets. He helped us also select everything that we needed from helmet to shoes.
When I said I wanted to try doing the YnotTri, and the Emmett sprint triathlons he and Antonio were right there encouraging me and helping me to select a tri-suit, giving me pointers on nutrition, changing tires, making sure my bike was adjusted right, etc. He was genuinely happy when I came back to report how things went. Kevin was always enthusiastic about showing me biking or casual clothing, giving his frank opinion on fit, etc.
It was fun just to go in a say "Hi" even if I didn't have anything to buy. He would always give a great grin "Hi there" and fill me in on his latest news: paint ball competitions, cycling, races coming up, time with family. He also showed off his newly braces- removed teeth and cool jeans. Kevin proudly introduced me to Elisa and Sarma at IMT, and often showed pictures of Sarma when I showed my grandchildren's photos. He was a great help again when I came in last year with my old Rock Hopper to get a tune up, new tires and a set-up to haul our grandkids around in a bike carrier. As usual he was enthusiastic...telling me how much he enjoyed riding with Sarma.
Kevin was also helpful in arranging donations to Safe Place Ministries (a local non-profit) Dessert and Benefit Auctions the past two years. As a board member, I can say we are very grateful for IMT's generosity.
Several of my friends have patronized IMT because I have told them about the expertise, friendliness and enthusiasm of Kevin and others in the IMT family.
I grieve with and pray for all of you at IMT, and especially with Elisa and Sarma . We have all lost a tremendous friend. His absence will be felt greatly for a very long time.
Cris Polk
Kevin's Family, Chris, Jill and the entire IMT Crew,
It is with infinite sadness and shock that I feel privileged to reflect upon Kevin's life today. He was my friend and peer who I will miss beyond any words adequate enough to describe his humble nature and thoughtful disposition. I grieve mostly for his lovely wife Elise and their incredibly beautiful daughter, Sarma. My heart absolutely aches for them right now in this time of sorrow. I wish them as much happiness, peace and revelation as is humanly possible when something this tragic occurs. I also offer his extended family, friends and co- workers much support and love in our collective time of sorrow.
His accident Thursday night and subsequent death Friday morning has weakened me to my knees and shaken the core of what I believe is so beyond unfair for such and awesome person. He was a great Man and an incredible father. I bore witness to that many times. He was always so welcoming each and every time I came in to buy personal stuff or sell him something from one of my lines. He never blew me off or made me feel out of place. Complete to the contrary, he always made me feel like I was the most important person in the store and as a sales rep., always looking at something to sell someone, that certainly was not easy or a given attitude amongst most buyers. His was a genuine nature that I will learn from everyday. I admired his willingness to go the extra mile for me, my family and the thousands of customers he serviced with a smile every day. Always and I mean ALWAYS taking time out his busy day to make people feel special or just shoot the breeze about the latest and greatest piece of cycle gear was all too natural for Kevin. It was never forced or fake. His passion for the things he held close was authentic in every way. I have learned so much from him that I will carry with me the rest of my days and he will never, ever be forgotten in my life. I only wish we got to hang out more.
I regret so much on that day last week but I take a small measure of comfort knowing that he perished doing what he loved, second only to his family and that was cycling. Family was without question he greatest love and value and that is what made him who he was: A true Gentleman with extensive character beyond his thirty seven years.
We will all miss you immensely Kev and we will never forget you. The mountain bike I ride today, you 'sold' me but it is yours Man. Each and every time I hop on it your legacy will endure and remembering you will be bittersweet when I saddle up. You will always be with me.
On your wheel buddy-
Michael Blumenstein and Family