After battling an inoperable brain tumor, former Saab Automobile USA communications manager Jan-Willem Vester has passed away.

To call Jan-Willem a PR guy is missing the point. He was a brand advocate, fully believing in the company and the products he represented. He not only owned Saabs personally, he was also active in Saab club activities. Our last direct interaction with him was last fall on the launch of the 9-3 Turbo X at Road Atlanta, where he was beyond excited about the introduction of all-wheel-drive to the Saab lineup

It came as a shock to all of us when earlier this year he was let go from Saab during its reconstruction period. No doubt Vester would have been part of the new Saab had he pulled through. In speaking with Mike Colleran at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, he indicated that he was holding a spot on the team for a very special guy, should he recover from his illness. In looking back, there's no doubt that very special person was Jan-Willem Vester.

Jan-Willem Vester was 51 years old. He leaves behind a wife and three children, and an extended family of Saab enthusiasts.