I received this communications a short while ago. It is with the greatest sadness that I must announce this.
Diane Phelan
Message: Dear Anthony and the WUWT moderators:
I am the daughter of Robert Phelan and I unfortunately have some bad news to pass on. My father passed away suddenly last night from what we believe to be a heart attack. I know you had a party planned on the 18th. I would hate to say it’s cancelled because knowing my father, he would want the celebration to continue, but I’m hoping we could have a conversation first.
…
I’m so sorry to have to bring this news to you. He spoke of you often and with much respect and admiration.
Bob was the nicest and most helpful individual you could ever want to meet. I had met him twice, at two Heartland conferences, and we spoke over the phone often. He was tireless and dedicated to helping us all here, he was very helpful to me, and we’ve all lost a dear friend. Many of you knew him by his signature [REP].
I can tell you this was like a kick in the stomach for me. I loved Bob like a brother. He was always quick with a laugh and easy to talk with. He was fair, and honest, and good. My last communications with him was yesterday morning, and as usual, it was a message to help me with something about WUWT, passing along an important comment that I might otherwise have missed due to the volume.
I spoke with Diane Phelan his daughter, today, and I have conveyed my deepest sympathy to her and to the family. Details on funeral or other arrangements are obviously uncertain right now, and I will pass them along on this thread as I have them. I’ll also post a photo and official obituary when I have them.
As for the WUWT East Coaster’s picnic planned at Bob’s house on the 18th, – I don’t know at this point. One day at a time.
Bob was a lecturer at Eastern Connecticut State University in Sociology, Anthropology & Social Work. He understood people well, which is what made him such a great asset as a lead moderator at WUWT. To say he will be missed here, is an understatement.
The header of WUWT goes to a black band now, to honor and mourn his passing.
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UPDATE: A site for donations to help cover funeral costs will be made available in a day or two. I’ll announce that here when it is ready. – Anthony
UPDATE2: 8/11/12 6:30PM PST
The wake is this Wed, August 15th from 4-8p at the Cody-White Funeral Home (right off the Milford MetroNorth stop) 107 Broad St., Milford, CT 06460.
The funeral is this Thurs., August 16th at 10:30 am at St. Mary’s Church, 70 Gulf St. Milford, CT. The interment will be at St Mary’s Cemetery immediately following.
Full obituary here
The link to the memorial fund site set up is:
http://www.giveforward.com/therobertphelanmemorialfund
There’s lot of new pictures of Bob there. Please take a moment to look and consider helping.
The Phelan family asked me if I would ask your to donate to the memorial fund in lieu of flowers. I am happy to do so, especially after learning of this below.
I received this update from his daughter Diane Phelan, when I inquired where Bob was when he was stricken:
To answer your question, my father was found at his study desk, where we often found him asleep! He had very likely fallen asleep moderating the blog, or doing some related research.
…
As I probably mentioned to you, he most likely didn’t feel it and it was quick and peaceful for him, something I am grateful for and it’s what he would have wanted.
Thank you for any considerations you can offer. I have made a significant contribution myself. – Anthony
Robert’s untimely passing reminds us all, and especially those of us who are past, long past, the invulnerability of youth, that every day is a blessing and a wonder, to be embraced with all of the enthusiasm and magnanimity that one can muster; there may not be another.
We live most of our lives planning for later, often forgetting that life is now, not tonight, not tomorrow, not next week or next year. For those who have not yet reached the age of seniority, this is a life lesson best learned young, options limit as you get to the age where you understand you face the Gates.
But what distinguishes Robert Phelan from so many, is that he voluntarily surrendered much of his now to a greater service, a service on behalf of others, and most poignantly, to the service of those he would never meet, for which his only satisfaction could be that of a gentleman, responding to a need, without recompense, or even notoriety. Blessed be those who simply give of themselves. Blessed be Robert E Phelan, and blessed be Diane and the family in knowing the measure of her father. May they all find comfort in the magnanimity of his life.
My condolences to the friends and family.
I would like you all to know that, as a former resident of Connecticut, I always enjoyed Robert’s replies to my comments about Pepe’s and Sally’s pizza wars. It was a minor thing and even though I know all other readers really didn’t care, he understood and was gracious enough to take the time to comment. It says so much about the man, that he was able to bring a little joy to someone he did not know just by doing that. Thanks Robert, may you rest in peace.
So sorry. Just recently I had mentally remarked on his calm & fair moderations.
Ben
Robert Phalen was a terrific moderator. I enjoyed his comments and his occasional private e-mails, and he made me feel like a friend. What a wonderful guy, and what a terrible loss. My condolences to his family, to you, Anthony, and fellow moderators.
The good always die too young, no matter their age. RIP Robert.
My condolences to his family and friends. To me the [REP] tag meant ‘good bloke’ and I never even blinked when he snipped a post.
Condolences to all who loved him. May Peace and Strength find you.
While I still have a chance to say it to all remaining contributors to this blog: Thank you!
My deepest sympathy to [REP]’s family.
I hope they can read this page, and see from the many comments that friendship in the virtual community is as real as that in ‘real life’.
As so many have said before, I shall miss seeing [REP] …
“A human life is a story told by God.”
~Hans Christian Andersen
He told a fine one here… We all feel this tremendous loss… My condolences to family and friends.
He clearly had infinitely greater abilities as a moderator than my past efforts at a very different site. I wouldn’t have the patience to deal with some of the more “trying” contributors here. I don’t think he ever had to give me a ticking off, but if there was an occasion I can’t recall, it would doubtless have put me in my place, without leaving me feeling angry.
My thoughts are with his family, and the rest of the team behind this blog, at a sad loss.
We all owe a debt to REP as we do to all the Mods. He’ll be missed.
I am shocked and saddened to hear this news. He was a terrific moderator, and even though he was known to many only as “Rep”, his sudden passing is no less poignant for that.
my deepest condolences…. R.I.P. ….
Robert Phelan’s distinguished contributions to moderating the always interesting discussions on this excellent website were outstanding. Many prayers for him and his family.
REP: RIP. – M of B
REP was a fine moderator on this blog…I will miss his fair comments. My condolences to his family and friends. RIP.
I, too, am shocked and saddened by this news. I knew Robert Phelan as a commenter at Bishop Hill, who attracted my attention through the wisdom and humor that I perceived from his comments. Like Mr. Lynn, I also noted his mention of anthropology and especially looked forward to his take on things – all too seldom – I also have an anthropological background. I never knew he was REP here!
geoffchambers, before I saw your comment, I had done a search for him at Bishop Hill to go back to when I’d finished reading this thread, thanks for opening a discussion thread.
I will miss him.
This brought tears to my eyes this morning. I had leave my response this afternoon. I couldn’t do it this morning.
My heartfelt wishes go to his family because it is the living who suffer at event like this. REP, you WILL be gretly missed. à votre Dieu.
May God bless Robert Phelan’s family and his legacy of advocating truth.
Condolence, sad to hear this.
So sorry to hear the news about Bob…condolences to his family. He won’t be forgotten.
R.I.P. [REP]
Best wishes and condolences to your family.
We will miss you.
This is indeed sad news.
My condolences to his loved ones.
A sad loss. It is telling that one of his last acts was organising a festivity – clearly a man who lived life to the full. REP’s steady hand on even the most rumbuctuous debates here will be sorely missed, along with his wit and style.
Condolences to his family and friends.
RIP Robert Phelan – A gentleman moderator