Crave's Mark "Chip" VanDeVelde passes away

GameSpot today received a letter from the executive team at Crave Entertainment. They reported that over the weekend, one of their staff, Mark VanDeVelde, passed away.

The execs sent along the following note, which is reprinted here in part.

GameSpot conveys our condolences to the VanDeVelde family.

Dear Industry Member,

We are saddened to report to you that Mark "Chip" VanDeVelde, a vice president with our company, passed away on Saturday, February 18th, 2006. Many of you may have known Chip, who was a long time industry veteran. Chip was part of the SVG Distribution/Crave Entertainment family since 1998 and was the national sales manager for Konami before joining our company.

SVG Distribution/Crave Entertainment will be starting a scholarship fund for Chip’s daughter Callahan who is 11 years old. Here is the information regarding the fund:

If by check, make check payable to Crave Entertainment Group, Inc. FBO Callahan N. VanDeVelde, and mail the check to:

Crave Entertainment Group, Inc., Attn: Lynda Broderick, 4 San Joaquin Plaza Drive, Suite 200, Newport Beach California, 92660, or:
Bank of the West, 300 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90071 (ABA # 121100782 , Account number: 751-000373).

The VanDeVelde family requests that donations be made to the scholarship fund in lieu of sending flowers.

Nima Taghavi, CEO
Michael Maas, President
Rob Dyer, COO