‘Star Wars’ fan changes name to Darth Vader

The Democrat and Chronicle of Rochester reports (http://on.rocne.ws/1QT6KdI ) that a western NY man legally changed his name a year ago to match the villain in the “Star Wars” films. “I wanted a separation from myself and my past”.

A longtime Star Wars fan has changed his name to Darth Vader.

His real name used to be Eric Welch. But he told the newspaper he’ll eventually need a marrow transplant, and is on the Bone Marrow Transplant list at VA Puget Sound Health Care System in Seattle. He doesn’t wear a mask like the Sith Lord in his driver’s license photo, but the ID does, in fact, name him as “Darth Vader” of Canandaigua. He’s aiming to surpass 50 and expects to hit that milestone next summer, his fifth year completing the Tough Mudder races.

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.

Vader added that training for the endurance events keeps his mind off doctor’s appointments and ‘all that I’ve gone through, am going through and will continue to go through’.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help raise money for the transplant.

Think you know Darth Vader?

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.

“Sometimes I do the charity runs in costume, or else sell T-shirts”, he said. I’m sure it’ll get old’.