Three die on thin ice
In the northern latitudes, when winter comes, one can expect ice to form on top of local rivers and lakes. Many people enjoy going out on the ice to walk, skate, fish, and even drive across them. However, when you go out too early, and the ice isn’t thick enough to support your weight, then you run the risk of breaking the ice, falling through, and not being able to get out.
Three people died Friday in two separate accidents on ice-covered ponds in eastern Wisconsin.
In Cedar Grove, Wis., about 40 miles (64km) north of Milwaukee, Megan Obbink, 9, was skating on the ice on a local pond when she fell through. Her father, Brian Obbink, 44, went out to try to save her, but he too fell in. Both drowned, and rescuers pulled out their bodies Friday evening.
The ice was reported to be less than 3 inches (76mm) thick.
In a separate accident in Lyndon, Wis., about 10 miles (16km) northwest of Cedar Grove, Cody Lechler, 12, was riding an all-terrain vehicle across an ice-covered pond when he and the vehicle fell through. Rescuers recovered his body late Friday. He had been out hunting with an adult neighbor who was unnamed in news reports.
Today we have two Stupid People of the Day: Brian Obbink, who allowed his daughter to die needlessly, and then died himself; and the unnamed adult who will have to live with Cody’s death for the rest of his life.
“There is no such thing as safe ice,” said Sheboygan County Sheriff’s Deputy Jim Opgenorth.
You are an a__hole. what right do you have to say that he is stupid and make such an assinine statement and turn something tragic and make it seem surreal. Yes, it may not have been the smartest thing, but hind site 20/20 can any of be sure that we would not do the same thing if we thought we knew the land and water well enough. I don’t think that you can answer that for sure. I know the family personally and he is far from stupid and nout using commonsense. He felt that having grown up on the land and knowing it and staying in certain areas that they would be safe, and yes after the fact we can all sit here and say how stupid it was and everyone needs to use commonsense, but if we are all truly honest, and were on family land and such, i don’t know that any of us would have done different if we felt we knew the lay out well enough. Of course now everyone will be carefull and judgemental because of hindsight, but that does not give you the right to trash someone who you have never met and don’t deserve to meet after having such a stupid comment. You disgust me and just remember, what goes around comes around. That’s all I have to say to you.
Comment by julie — November 29, 2005 @ 3:45 pm
Which family?
Anyway, yes, I can honestly say I would never have done anything like that. It’s far too early to be anywhere near ice.
As for everything else you said, I forgive you.
Comment by Michael Hampton — November 29, 2005 @ 4:52 pm
Mr. Hampton, This is yet another example that any moron with a computer can build a website. My friend was a bank president, school board president, active in his church and community and a very good person. He was also a father of three other beautiful children, two of which could easily stumble upon this piece of trash site as I did, causing them even more pain than they’re currently suffering. Brian spent his life showing love to his family and to others; you’ve chosen to devote yours to an activity that is hurtful and potentially harmful. Brian Obbink was a better man than you could ever hope to be.
Comment by dan — November 30, 2005 @ 3:35 am
Dear Mr. Hampton,
I was searching for an article about Megan Obbink this morning in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel about a special relationship she formed with a soldier serving in Iraq. To my utter horror, I stumbled upon your website named Brian “stupid person of the day.” For a reason I will never understand, you chose to highlight a heartbreaking tradegy that you had only a tiny amount of media information about. I believe that if you had the facts of the actual circumstances surrounding their deaths, you would not have chosen to spotlight this horror. Out of respect for the family, I choose not to give you the details of the truth of what happened that sad day. I will tell you this. Brian was a devoted husband and father, not to mention outstanding volunteer in our community. Megan was a sweet, energetic girl who never failed to chat with me at recess. (I am a teacher’s aide at her school.) In a world filled with brokenness and disarray, these two special people chose to brighten lives with their light. I implore you to do the same instead of ridiculing people’s deaths and mistakes. You chose to take one small segment of Brian’s life and cast derision on it. You chose to turn the glaring spotlight on him for all the world to scorn. I pray that something like this never turns your world upside-down. I also pray that if it does, no one play judge and jury and pronounce guilt on your loved one. I ask that you discontinue your section entitled terminal stupidity, calling attention to people’s deaths. Please keep in mind that life is fragile and can be taken in a flash. Don’t add to the pain people experience by ridiculing their loved ones. These are real people, just like you, who love their families and experience joys and sorrows. Be patient and nonjudgmental, helping others along as they journey through life doing the best they can.
Sincerely,
Helena Villarreal
Comment by Helena — December 24, 2005 @ 4:41 pm
If there’s something inaccurate about the story as reported here, then I am all ears. It’s certainly your right to choose not to share if you have additional information, but if that is the case, the disservice you do is to the dead and their family, not to me.
Comment by Michael Hampton — December 24, 2005 @ 5:11 pm
Hampton,
if you think that you cane make my friend Cody look stupid you are so wrong Cody was the smartest person I known in my life so if you think that is funny you are a big big big Jerk because you will never get away with this you JERK.
Comment by Britt — January 27, 2006 @ 12:29 am
I don’t expect anyone who’s 12 to yet have enough experience with ice to know when it is safe and when it isn’t. I could, of course, be wrong, but I stand by my statement that that early in the year is far too early to be out on the ice. In fact, aside from maybe a week or two in December, most of this year has been too warm to be safely out on the ice.
I also note that you’re saying a 12 year old is the smartest person you ever knew? Something doesn’t add up there.
Comment by Michael Hampton — January 27, 2006 @ 4:50 am
I was in cody’s homeroom for school and Cody did not know that the ice was there so don’t tell me it dosn’t make sence it makes perfect sence.
Comment by Britt — January 28, 2006 @ 9:27 pm
dume dume dume
Comment by Britt — February 8, 2006 @ 9:37 pm
yes I do think that Cody was the smartest person I have ever known he was very sweet and I had a big crush on him and I know that any dork can make a web site but some people have feelings you do know that right? well I am sorry to bother you again but I had to tell you that.
Comment by BRITT — February 8, 2006 @ 10:10 pm
okay…first of all…he died because he tried to save her! megan was one of best known fifth graders i know! who ever wrote this is very inconsiderate and has no feeling what so ever! Brian was also on the school’s committee!
Comment by Liz — March 25, 2006 @ 7:49 pm
i hate you. I LOVED Cody Lechler so Plz dont say any thing bout him ather wise i will have to do some thing bout it got it PLZ
Comment by Some one DAAAHH — April 30, 2006 @ 12:59 am
i have to say some thing you are one #@$**!
Comment by *&^%###@! — April 30, 2006 @ 1:02 am
i have to say some thing you are one #@$**! you *#@$^( i i really hate you
Comment by *&^%###@! — April 30, 2006 @ 1:03 am
Britt, quit it before I call your parents.
Comment by Michael Hampton — April 30, 2006 @ 1:14 am
Megan I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by Jenny — October 28, 2006 @ 6:46 pm
I just want to acknowledge your poor taste in using the Obbink Family for you daily stupidity website. I understand you are just taking words that are printed on the newlines at face value, however there is so much more to this story than there is printed. I am not going to waste my time trying to prove anything to your website. I’m just trying to stand up for what is wrong here. You exhibited some very heartless words and made a poor choice by taking such a painful and heart breaking accident and using it so publicly like this. For any one in the Obbink Family that ever has to unfortunately read these words about your family… No one believes that Brian would ever or should have ever been used in this category for such a website. Those that knew him and the family know the integrity of them. This was a family full of goodness and love for one another and for anyone that came in contact of them.
Comment by Volunteer EMT — November 6, 2006 @ 5:34 am
i feel so bad, megan went to my school, and she was my best friend,too. i feel like i want to die and and and oh just whateveras i said i feel so so so bad i cryed at her visition,too. i miss her so much i wish she never had gone ice skating there but ask me questions about megan i will answer them…………. Go Ahead.
Comment by Jordyne — February 9, 2007 @ 12:23 pm
oh and go julie!!! the first one
Comment by Jordyne — February 9, 2007 @ 12:24 pm
thi is not stupid ,too. this site is mean about my dead friend i miss her but y are you guys so mean? except for Helena.
Comment by Jordyne — February 9, 2007 @ 12:27 pm
who is Jenny? Can you please tell me? Jenny Larson?
Comment by Jordyne — February 9, 2007 @ 12:28 pm
Liz who are you?
Comment by Jordyne — February 9, 2007 @ 12:29 pm
this is incorrect…… she was 10,HAMPTON!!!
Comment by Jordyne — February 9, 2007 @ 12:30 pm
Mr. Hampton will you please take this retarded blog down because as you can see it is upseting people including me.
thank you
Britt
Comment by Brittany — March 8, 2008 @ 11:01 pm
And OMG you dont even know my parents so therefore you can’t call them
britt
Comment by Brittany — March 8, 2008 @ 11:02 pm