A true MSU institution, an inspiration, a legend.
Just a few of the words written on a new Web site about Ernst Lucas shortly after news of his death hit the MSU community about a week ago.
Lucas, known to many as "Ernie The Can Man," biked around campus and picked up cans for money. On Jan. 17, police found him dead in his home, the cause of which is believed to be hypothermia.
The passing of Lucas drew the emotions of many. It compelled 2001 graduate Robert Preseau to create the site, www.wemissyouernie.com, in remembrance of the popular can collector.
"I was kind of curious to see what other people's stories would be," Preseau said. "Because I know everybody has a story."
After Preseau told a few friends, word got out about the site through e-mail, Web sites and instant messenger profiles.
Since the site's Jan. 23 launch, MSU students and alumni have written almost 50 posts on the site, sharing their thoughts and memories of Lucas.
People who've lived in East Lansing but never attended MSU commented, as well as students and alumni from as far back as the early 1990s.
After reading the site, 2003 graduate Brian LeRoy contributed his memories of Lucas.
"We talked about three to four times a week, usually about the auto industry," he said. "He'd come find me at football games, but I'd see him at the business college usually."
Along with the memories, many expressed their fond thoughts of Lucas.
"I admire him. He walked to the beat of his own drum," 2000 graduate Geoffrey Hatchard said. "It's refreshing to see someone go against the grain."
The site also is home to comments ranging from the funny: "You're my boy, blue" and "He was one of the best can pickers this side of the Mississippi," to the more sentimental: "Your gentle demeanor and simple ways have left an impression in too many people to count."
Preseau posted on the site that one of the things on his list to do before he graduated was to talk to Lucas, and is upset he never did. He wrote in an online post that the site is his way of apologizing for never taking the time to talk to Lucas.
"Everyone that went to State in the past 20 years knew of him," Preseau said. "It's going to be weird not seeing him run around."
Although most posts came from alumni, many current students have posted about Lucas on the student-run site, www.allmsu.com.
Some have discussed trying to get Lucas in the Guinness Book of World Records for collecting the most cans, and others want to organize a memorial for him.
"I think MSU should do something to remember Ernie," said 2002 graduate Mark Bontomasi, who posted on the Lucas memorial site. "He was a legend and will be missed."
Lucas was cremated and did not have a funeral. His brother, Alexander Lucas of Minnesota, said he is unsure if any arrangements will be made.
Melissa Domsic can be reached at domsicme@msu.edu.
