Who was Chally Erb? He was a professional clown. He was an activist. He was a Vietnam veteran. He walked on stilts at fairs and festivals all over West Virginia. He was also a very avid kayaker, snowboarder and, according to his daughter Deva Wagner, he was “pretty much anything awesome.”
Everyone who knew Erb would agree.
In 2015, Erb was diagnosed with ALS. Sadly, he succumbed to the disease in 2019.
Wagner and Dan Withrow joined forces to honor Erb and Withrow’s close friend, Gary Arbaugh, who also passed away from ALS, with a community river float and fundraiser for the ALS Foundation.
Their labor of love became a reality on June 4 at Ronceverte Island Park. Even Erb, who was rarely lost for words, would’ve been speechless.
At least 150 floaters registered to float from Caldwell to Ronceverte Island Park. Many of Erb’s and Arbaugh’s family and friends showed up to support the Red Nose River Float as sponsors, volunteers and participants.
Local band Dark Matters performed at the event, and food trucks from the local restaurants lined the park as well.
The final fundraiser total isn’t known yet, but from what we know, the Red Nose River Float raised more than $20,000 for the ALS Association.
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| Red Nose River Run participants put into the Greenbrier River at the Caldwell boat launch. |
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| Event organizer Deva Wagner (right) with her sister Lipara Winfield. Wagner and Winfield are the daughters of the late Chally Erb. |
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| Event organizers Dan Withrow (l to r) and Deva Wagner with Anthony Woodyard of the WV ALS Association. |
