FROM THE OFFICE OF MIKE MENTZER CO.
Updated 8/18/01
Many of you requested information on which magazines are printing Memorial Tributes to Mike and Ray, and the following is a list of what we know about so far:
IRONMAN MAGAZINE
September 2001 Issue - Special Publisher's Letter by John Balik, Publisher/Editorial Director
Mike Mentzer's Heavy Duty Article - Long Term High Intensity Results
October 2001 Issue - Last Interview with Mike by Josh Brown - Part 2
Issues after October will also have Special Tributes, and the details will
follow when known.
MUSCLE MAG
October 2001 Issue -
Memorial Editorial by Robert Kennedy, Publisher/Executive Editor
Mike Mentzer's Article - Maximizing Potential - Part 1 of 3 Part Series
Parts 2 and 3 to follow in upcoming issues.
FLEX MAGAZINE
September 2001 Issue - Publisher's Page by Joe Weider
Special Memorial by Peter McGough, Editor-in-Chief
The Mike Mentzer Story by Peter McGough
Centerfold of Mike Mentzer
There really are no words to adequately express our appreciation for the continued outpour of memorial emails and phone calls received from around the world. The remembrances you have shared with us have been so uplifting, and I will attempt to respond to as many emails as possible. A new link on the Mike Mentzer Home Page entitled "Remembrances" will contain selected emails weekly, with the hope that through others' experiences and thoughts of Mike and Ray Mentzer, you will also feel uplifted.
Due to the length of time it is taking to handle the legalities on settling the estates of Mike and Ray, the business operations have not been resumed as quickly as we planned. Although we are sorry for this delay, we are hopeful that matters will be settled soon. Your patience and complete understanding have not gone unrecognized, and they are very much appreciated!
ORDERS:If you placed your order online after June 6, 2001 through the present date, please know that your order's charges have not been processed to your credit card. Once we know that your order will be shipped, the charges will be processed at that time. The same information will apply, if your order was placed through the mail with a check, money order, or your credit card information, and your payment has not been processed yet. Regrettably, I am unable to give you an exact shipping date yet. However, we are making every effort to expedite matters as quickly as possible.
ARTICLES:
Please remember to check the link to ARTICLES on Mike's home page. There is a newly posted article written by John Little. It needs no further discussion from me, and when you read it, you will see that it speaks for itself.
PHONE CONSULTATIONS AND PERSONAL TRAINING:
As mentioned in my previous posting to you, a list of recommended trainers is being carefully selected for you. Please beware of those who may try to pass themselves off as being chosen by Mike Mentzer Co., and if you are doubtful, you may email us to verify that person's credibility, loyalty, and commitment to the only original Mike Mentzer HIT Training Program.
Mike Mentzer Company's goal remains the same as it has always been -- to provide you with the best mind and body training materials available anywhere.
Thank you all for your continued support and loyalty,
Joanne Sharkey, General Manager
Mike Mentzer Co., Inc.
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To compound the loss of Mike, on June 11th, at approximately 9:00 PM, Ray died in his sleep. Ray suffered from kidney failure caused by Berger's Disease. In 1999, Ray started kidney dialysis 4 times each week, and extensive testing was performed on him to determine if he could handle a kidney transplant. During the testing, it was found that Ray had a genetic blood clotting disorder which compounded the kidney disease. Approximately 2 months ago, Ray was told there may be a kidney for him sometime this summer. This pleased Ray, because the dialysis was taking a toll on his body, due to blood clots. A week before his death, he was rushed to the emergency room during dialysis due to an excessively high pulse rate. At times, the dialysis center would take him to emergency due to a high blood pressure rate. On several occasions, there were hospital emergencies, because the dialysis treatment could not be completed due to improper output of dialysis, caused by blood clots. Very few people knew of his suffering, mainly because Ray was not a complainer and was so full of courage, strength, and the will to live. He had been in a state of shock since finding his brother dead, and there were visible signs that it was taking a physical strain on his body. Ray was 47 years old - born August 2, 1953.
There was a history of heart disease in the Mentzer family.
They have only one surviving sibling - a sister, Marieann from Ephrata, Pennsylvania.
It was their wish to be cremated and arrangements are being made. There will be a private memorial service for family members only. However, due to the worldwide outreach of mourners, a Memorial Service Tribute will be planned in the near future in California. There have been many asking if there will be a Memorial Service on the East Coast, and Marieann plans to organize a service in Ephrata, PA. When the details are finalized for each service, the information will be posted on Mikementzer.com, as well as, a few other websites and magazines. For those of you who have asked about sending a memorial gift or sympathy cards, a special foundation fund will soon be set up for the Mentzer Brothers. This information will be forthcoming once it is completed. The mailing address is:
Mike Mentzer Co.
Attn: Joanne Sharkey
PMB #13, PO Box 7000
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
It is for YOU, the fans and supporters, that Mike and Ray continued their untiring efforts throughout the years. Mike, continuing to add or improve on HIT, while Ray chose the medical rehab field in order to continue helping people recover from injuries and strengthen their bodies through resistance training. YOU were the reasons for their being. Our loss is shared by thousands of people across the globe. While many of you are from different countries - from Bangkok to Brazil to Canada - you have all been unified by Mike's integrity, honesty, and congruency of vision and action - always in "search for the truth". Being the pioneer of high intensity training, Mike changed the face of bodybuilding in the 1970s. Being a believer of truth, he was a mentor to many and taught countless bodybuilders how important it was to think. He set a new protocol for building the body, and proved the importance of the "Mind and Body" connection.
The day before Mike's death, both of them were so excited. They were on their way to the production studio to film the Mike Mentzer's Heavy Duty HIT Training Video. On a positive note, I want you to know that their portion of the video production was completed late that night. For those of you who have already placed orders for the video, please know that even though we have had this unfortunate delay, once the editing, graphics and voice-overs are completed, the video will be released. We only ask that you be patient, as we complete the production.
Many of you are Mike's and Ray's phone consultation or personal training clients, and I want you to know that you will not be forgotten. You will be set up with someone who Mike would be proud to have step in, and someone who uses the same training philosophy and loyal to the Heavy Duty HIT program that he developed, tested and proved successful. Please be patient until this is arranged.
Mike always told me that he wanted Mike Mentzer Company to continue after he was gone and to continue his mission. Therefore, we will continue to serve the world with Mike's message and proven training principles through his books, audios, videos, and writings (some of which have never been released). Having managed Mike Mentzer Co. and various businesses for both Mike and Ray over the years, we developed very unique relationships with each other. Some of you know how they always called me "right-hand man", assistant, General Manager, and confidant, "Sis", and even "Mom". Their love, trust, respect, and belief in my expertise will always be valued by me. I served and loved them when it mattered most to them, and I intend to continue to serve them by carrying out Mike's wishes by keeping the Legend alive.
In the next week or two, we will begin to post emails from people who agreed to share their personal experience regarding how Mike or Ray changed their lives and how the loss of them has affected them. If you would like to write and let us know how Mike or Ray touched your life, please don't hesitate to send your email to Mikementzerco@aol.com. Over a period of time, every effort will be made to answer all emails. Your email will not be posted or shared outside the Mike Mentzer Staff without prior permission from you.
I do want to extend my deepest gratitude to all of you who have reached out to me personally and offered your assistance, your expertise and knowledge. Please accept my apology for the delay in communicating with you during this most difficult time. As time permits, there will be updated information posted regarding a Memorial Service and Tribute. There will also be more information regarding their accomplishments and careers.
A special thank you to John Balik of Ironman Magazine, Robert Kennedy of Muscle Mag, Peter McGough of Flex Magazine, Dorian Yates, and so many close business associates and friends of Mike and Ray, who took the time to personally contact me with their condolences. The personal assistance offered and concern for Mike's legacy to continue is overwhelming. Their expertise and archives of information is very much needed and appreciated. No words can adequately express our appreciation.
Sincerely,
Joanne Sharkey
General Manager, Michael Mentzer Co., Inc.
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