UPDATE: 930AM PDT 8/14/12 now at 71% 80% (at 530PM) 90% (8AM 8/15) 96% – just $700 to go, (11AM) of the goal.
2:26 PM 8/15 GOAL MET, and EXCEEDED! $17,281
Let me just say that the circumstances of Bob’s employment did not allow for the usual financial safety nets. Through your generosity, you have relieved a huge burden from the family and I’m very proud of you all. You have my sincerest thanks on behalf of the Phelan Family. For those of you that donated via PayPal, Diane Phelan reports there’s about $1800 there, and given that there’s a 7% commission taken from the GiveForward donation site, and the funeral costs worked out at about $17,500, the final GiveForward amount works out to be $16,071.33 Plus the PayPal balance of $1800, less their 2.5% commission: $1755.00 = 17,826.33
THANK YOU!
– Anthony
[modified] Bob wouldn’t want us to stop WUWT on his behalf, but it’s been hard to
focus on anything else since I heard the news. It was especially hard to learn that Bob died at his study desk, where he moderated WUWT from. The family has asked for my help. The request is rooted in a real need.
Therefore, I’m asking for your help for funeral expenses on behalf of the Phelan family. Thank you for your consideration – anything you can spare even $10 will help.
http://www.giveforward.com/therobertphelanmemorialfund
See the updates and new details at WUWT here, http://wp.me/p7y4l-hWr
So, after 48 hours, WUWT will resume normal programming. Life goes on. I’ll do my best to show draw from the best lessons of moderation that Bob demonstrated. – Anthony
UPDATE: The first post since being notified of Bob’s passing is now online. Below. I’ll keep the WUWT header in black bar mode to honor and mourn his passing until after the funeral is over next Thursday – Anthony
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Thank you for this notification
It has been a sorrowful day: I can only imagine the grief experienced by Bob Phelan’s family. I am very happy to do what little I can to help.
Very best wishes,
Jennifer
Thank you for the notification
Tens of thousands of people will see this message in the next 24 hours. With such large numbers, even a little will make a difference. A few can make a big difference. The rest of us can do something. Again, condolences to all who knew Robert E. Phelan.
donated
Twitter is obviously on the case …
I know I am no one. Especially here. But have made my donation.
Just wanted to say ; you Americans are great about these things. I wish here in Spain there were similar places to donate in lieu of sending telegrams that have to be answered by the family (as if they did not have enough trouble as it is ).
Thank you very much for making this available to all.
I have sent a donation just now.
Done
Just to say, although there is no Paypal button yet for donations, it is very easy just to sign into your paypal account and donate directly to dvp200@aol.com which is Mrs Phelan’s paypal account.
Donation sent, with appreciation and suggestion that the fund might be used to train up more moderators like REP – as perhaps he himself would have wished. If this happens, I feel pretty sure that REP would take an active interest – from the other side.
Yes, I’m a believer in spiritual realities – but, more accurately, I’m not a believer! I’m a scientist in that I speak of what I know through direct experience and a thorough critical examination of many accounts of others, from all relevant points of view.
Donation sent. May he rest in peace and his family be comforted with the love of all us from everywhere in the world.
Donation completed via PayPal. Thanks for providing this for everyone Anthony!
May the thoughts and prayers of the many provide strength and security during these most difficult of times.
May the precious memories of those lost to a higher calling provide peace and comfort for the soul.
It was an honor to donate. I hope it helps his family to see how much his work at WUWT was appreciated and will be missed.
Life can clock us out at any time.
Hearing of Bob’s passing I paused to consider whether I’d have regrets if I died right now. Shortly thereafter I put kayaking aside to make time to buckle down on a climate puzzle that’s been on my desk half-finished for too many months. In one burst, I finished the puzzle:
http://judithcurry.com/2012/08/11/week-in-review-81112/#comment-228310
Bob’s wise & profoundly aware comment on the value of managing to exercise appropriate restraint is permanently engrained:
” “[REPLY: Your restraint, undoubtedly in the face of intolerable provocation, is appreciated. -REP]”
This is perhaps the most impressive moderation note I’ve ever seen.
Restraint is the most important human quality. “
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2012/06/11/climate-skeptic-instructor-fired-from-oregon-state-university/#comment-1008302
RIP REP.
” Lilith says:
August 12, 2012 at 2:52 am
Just to say, although there is no Paypal button yet for donations, it is very easy just to sign into your paypal account and donate directly to dvp200@aol.com which is Mrs Phelan’s paypal account.”
Is this true or is that an attempted scam?
REPLY: This is true, verified. No danger here. – Anthony
You can get the true measure of a person in the way that they treat the death of another.
Seldom will I go over to other sites, but I was curious about the way [REP]’s death was announced elsewhere (such as Open Mind).
Shock. Some regulars that are “banned” from here (because, silly us, we wanted facts – or expected posters to be civil) actually think that Anthony’s using this event to “…slag off ‘alarmists’…”
Although I shouldn’t, I just had to post. Since the readership here is much greater, and their moderation is a bit on the “heavy” side, I’ll post my comment here so people will actually see it and read it:
“…It appears that some of the regulars here think that Anthony Watts is using the death of a long-time friend (and WUWT moderator) Robert Phelan to press a point against “warmers”.
If anything, Robert Phelan proved how a well moderated site should be run.
Think of HIS life, the next time you mis-treat a guest to your “open minded” forum.
But why should anyone pay attention to someone else’s grief – considering the odds are good that this comment will never see the light of day – at this site…”
Donation sent. Thank you, Anthony for posting the link to the memorial fund.
“Lucy Skywalker says:
August 12, 2012 at 3:46 am
Yes, I’m a believer in spiritual realities – but, more accurately, I’m not a believer!
Lucy…there is a difference, IMHO, between religion and spirituallity. Religion teaches dogma, spiritual is what you FEEL. I sit at night with my telescope, and wonder at the power that created what I see, and I feel peace, with myself and what is out there. No conflicts, no gods or homo sapien sapiens fighting over which is better. It is what it is. The man who walked this earth and said the Golden Rule had true spirituallity. Roger had this. And the powers that be will allow him to carry on, far beyond our knowledge to know. What some of us call God or Jesus, is just Good Orderly Direction.
Even though you explain the black header, perhaps you could put the text “In Memorium – Robert Phelan” in nice calligraphy in it to make it obvious at first glance and more personal.
It doesn’t feel real to have seen his comments in moderation a few days ago and realize I won’t be seeing them anymore.
This is very sad to hear from over the pond …. my condolescence to all of his family! The -REP moderation will be missed sadly ….
Anthony: The death of Bob Phelan is being played wildly out of proportion to the mission of WUWT? and as such is damaging to core values.
REPLY: Your opinion is noted. – Anthony
I sent a little via Paypal. His ‘voice’ will be missed.
Roger Carr, you may have never lost a good friend, so I cut you some slack. I will opt to just tell you that your comment was blunt and callous.
Anthony and WUWT team, good to take time off and step back for a second, glad you did.
My DownUnder $$ sent via PayPal. Thanks for giving us the opportunity to say goodbye and thanks to a good man.