Western New York man legally chances name to Darth Vader

Children carried toy lightsabers to a Protestant church in Berlin and some of the congregation dressed up as Darth Vader on Sunday (Dec. 20) for a service to mark the release of the blockbuster hit new Star Wars movie.

The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reports that Eric Welch, 43, legally changed his name to Darth Vader previous year.

“I wanted to do something of my own”, said Vader, from upstate Canandaigua. “I don’t want to give anything away”. He was diagnosed with leukemia in 2002. “It keeps my mind off doctor’s appointments, of all that I’ve gone through, am going through and will continue to go through”. He’s aiming to surpass 50 and expects to hit that milestone next summer, his fifth year completing the Tough Mudder races.

Think you know Darth Vader?

Harbaugh said of Darth Vader.

Vader, the owner of a small local gym called Allegiant Fitness is raising funds through a Gofundme page which has collected almost $15,000 so far.

Fans have long discussed the Biblical imagery and allegories within the Star Wars saga, but the line between The Force and Christianity has become even more blurred over in Germay. The Department of Motor Vehicles confirmed to The Associated Press that Welch really did change his name.

As for why he chose Vader and not Luke Skywalker or Han Solo (or Yoda), he said he’s always been a fan of the Evil Empire and the fictional villain formerly known as Anakin Skywalker.

Tight end Jake Butt and cornerback Jourdan Lewis are All-Americans, and Harbaugh said he wanted them to get their photographs taken wearing the Block M sweater so they could be hung on the wall at Schembechler Hall. I’m sure it’ll get old’.