it had to happen this way, the R.I.P. notice in the channel topic window, the sharing of the passing of Gdfather, entered by, thankfully, his aide and confidant, jayme, who knew him best among us and was there until the end.
Gdfather and i first met some twelve years ago, when IRC and #gayportland were orgasmically new (to me) and fascinating as a microcosmic glimpse into the cultural-anthropological-study for which gd so scolded me.
Long before t-gun, having ignored the channel for too long, passed the torch of #gayseattle to gdfather, gd and i labored in dialogue over the politics of it all… the emerging incivility, the roll of the dimly enlightened despots and their surrogates, and the forecast and eventual decline of IRC. In the later years gd retired to the Board of Directors of #gayseatle, and, never fretful of decline, was instrumental in breathing life (with thanks to z2e) into the new if somwhat subdued era of #gayportland.
As i never met Gdfather in the flesh (our fault but mostly mine), and given the turmoil of takeovers and bannings and power that largely consumed the early days of IRC, it is not extraordinary that the topics of cyber-reality consumed much of our conversation. Sometimes we talked about fishing, and his life as a cop, and the deer that would visit his land near seattle… and seemingly endless stuff that happily consumed a sunday afternoon.
What we did not speak of much is what you endured physically, gdfather: the fused vertebrae, the chopping of things, the inexorable punishment without charges, or trial, or peers.
What emerged from those conversations, largely in private, and demonstrated in public channel, was a man of enormous character, who took the time and had the guts to share his considerable life-experience within the context of words in a “virtual” community.
Ron, as you remind us that life is not always a minuet, you have taught us to save the best hooch for the beast one brings shamelessly to the ball, for courage and honesty is always deserving of a stiff one.
Mentor, friend, the loss, my loss, lies in not having known you better.
Once in a while, the heavens release the best to the earth for a time. The odd gods were generous in their gift of you, Gdfather, and in the gift of Jayme to be at your side when it counted most. Thank you for sharing the gift, Ron.
May 3, 2008 at 11:19 pm
I was an old friend of Ron’s. I’m not sure I’d be remembered but I was Frostbite (Curt) on the old IRC, even before he’d discovered it. I was saddened to hear about his passing, particularly since I’d attempted to look him up recently and wondered why he hadn’t had the chance to respond.
At any rate, I wanted to pay my respects and find out if anyone was around to respond to questions regarding Ron and some of our old friends. It’s been years since he and I talked but I always regretted not keeping in touch and there are a few mutual friends I’d like to reconnect with. If you can point me in the right direction, I’d appreciate it.
August 2, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Curt, i was doing a lil maintenance in the garden and came across your comment, so nicely said. i think i chatted wif you briefly a few months ago on #gayportland, and sorry were i a lil weary at the time. Please do not feel a stranger on #gayportland as you are always welcome, and we might do some catching up then. until then… ta… and thanks.