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
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.
A fitting obituary to our REP (Bob) posted by Nate_OH by Rudyard Kipling linked in the previous post.
‘…..’Tis theirs to sweep through the ringing deep where Azrael’s outposts are,
Or buffet a path through the Pit’s red wrath when God goes out to war,
Or hang with the reckless Seraphim on the rein of a red-maned star.
They take their mirth in the joy of the Earth —
they dare not grieve for her pain —
They know of toil and the end of toil, they know God’s law is plain,
So they whistle the Devil to make them sport who know that Sin is vain.
And ofttimes cometh our wise Lord God, master of every trade,
And tells them tales of His daily toil, of Edens newly made;
And they rise to their feet as He passes by, gentlemen unafraid….’
Anthony, Diane and family, contributed as an Australian to the fund, in admiration of the work done by your father and his colleagues; true gentlemen and scholars.
My sincerest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Mr. Phelan.
john m.
I’m traveling at the moment and will make a donation when I get home tomorrow, Tuesday.
Donation sent.
Roger, I’m choosing to believe you are high on the autistic spectrum and are not intentionally unkind. As such, I wish you well.
I will just add this one tidbit for you to ponder, intellectually: the reason people care about climate, politics, health, or anything along those lines really, is so they can have more of the resources and time to enjoy the company of the ones they love and appreciate, and also so that others may do likewise.
I probably didn’t word that as well as I might have. I’m just saying people matter … more than anything.
REP, I didn’t know you well, but during the sometimes heated debate over Watts 2012, I was struck by your fairness and insightful comments. You were THE moderator I thought about when I read this headline and, unfortunately for your family, it was indeed yourself. Best of luck in your new adventure or eternal peace as the case may be.
Robert’s family and friends — my condolences. If I can be touched by his personality with such a brief and glancing acquaintance, he must have made deep, good impressions on you. I’m sure he will want you to carry on and enjoy life profoundly (and silly-ly) when you are able.
Christoph Dollis:
Thankyou for your post. It perfectly expresses my feelings about the demise of REP, the grief of his family, and the comment of Roger Carr.
I considered responding to Roger but knew my response would be snipped. And I suspect many others reacted to Roger’s comment as I did. But your restrained reply is in the tradition of REP and it does honour to the memory of him.
Again, thankyou. You spoke for me and I suspect many others, too.
Richard
Donation sent.
Donations at 43% of target.
If everyone gave a little, this target ($17,000 for funeral expenses) would easily be reached.
Please take the time and donate what you can afford.
Best, Allan
Christoph Dollis says: (August 13, 2012 at 3:52 am ) “Roger, I’m choosing to believe you are high on the autistic spectrum and are not intentionally unkind. As such, I wish you well.”
My comment is not about Robert Phelan, Christopher, it is about something much bigger than him; the mission we all support in WUWT? and the need to preserve that mission and build on it until what is effectively the deadly locomotive of CAGW is not only derailed, but melted down.
I, also, appreciated REP, but as Anthony says at the top of this entry: “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.”
I do not ask anyone to forget REP, and a place to remember him here is entirely appropriate — but most of the world did not even know of him, and the world does not know, or perhaps even care, about our personal sorrow and will likely turn away, impatient at our rememberances; and therefore WUWT? risks losing people who come here for hard science.
I did not want to have to expand on this, and believe Anthony would have recognised what I said in that single sentence for what it was; an outside alert from a reader of many years who sensed the potential for loss of headway — and headway is critical.
Anthony replied to my comment: “Your opinion is noted.”
That is enough for me to believe I made a useful comment, and makes worthwhile any sarcasm or abuse subsequnetly directed to me
Donation sent
Just donated Aus $50. It’s miserable I know but as Anthony says, it all adds up and besides the Aussie dollar is higher than the US dollar at the moment (sadly for our exporters).
It will surely bring much comfort to Robert’s widow, children and wider family that people from all over the world have made contributions to his funeral fund and praised him as a good man. The latter is the only legacy that counts in the end.
I attended two funerals last week of women who died too young – 54 and 45 – and what was judged the highlight of their lives was not their wealth or status but their goodness. In our little town of 2500 people the church and adjoining hall were crowded both times though both these women were doing humble jobs like making hamburgers and taking up hems and re-placing zippers. But they were both recognized and honoured as good women.
So Anthony, don’t feel bad that Robert died at his desk. How many people are lucky enough to die doing what they love! He may have well been taken too soon and it was a shock to his family, but he was well taken. Surely suddenly dying on the job is better than lingering and wasting from some horrible cancer or other painful or debilitating disease.
Vale, Robert. Enjoy eternity.
I’m sure the last thing Robert Phelan would want is to see disagreements here over how we handle his passing! But at the same time, he would want to see discussion that raises awareness – even if it at times verges on the rude and impatient!
What challenges me creatively, here, is Anthony’s mention of their last conversation concerning idiot Perlwitz who came here with sly denial of his provenance, was allowed to publish, then when rebuffed and outed, went into thoroughly unpleasant mode with the establishment of a website whose sole purpose is to attack this one. Lke Anthony, I have not actually checked it out, but I did cross
swordspaths with Perlwitz and disliked the man.It is important to keep an eye on the science whose lost integrity needs to be restored. But it is absolutely essential, in order to restore integrity, to recognize and reintegrate the lost human and even spiritual dimensions of reality. It is right that Anthony grieve, and that all of us can have space to grieve, here, if we need to. What makes WUWT so special, draws people here, and gives us hope of victory, is the recognition and honouring of both the scientific and the human dimensions of reality.
Donation completed. He and his family will be in our prayers.
Roger Carr says:
August 13, 2012 at 5:48 am
Roger Carr, lets leave aside the disagreement and just be practical. Bob died at his desk where he moderated WUWT from. His family has asked Anthony for help. Anthony has posted an article in order to ask the readership for help. People who are newcomers don’t need to read the thread unless they want to.
As a WUWT moderator Bob was a colleague of mine and I’ve donated $100. The family is a bit under halfway to what they need. Please just do what you can and leave off discussing concerns about things which are tangential to the main reason for Anthony making the post.
Thanks and regards.
REPLY: Thanks Roger, sincerely. – Anthony
This is so tragic. To have a wife and child left destitute like that. I’m sure the generosity of my fellow WUWT donors will go a long way in helping in their time of crisis.
I thank God my dad had insurance when he died suddenly. I never realized how lucky we were.
I’m not the richest man in my street let alone the world and yet I could afford my own funeral costs . Surely Bob had a funeral plan or life assurance. I have to say I find this all a bit odd I mean are the family destitute? No this is all a bit strange and untoward. I haven’t read all the stuff on this chap so is there some great personal hardship I haven’t seen that has driven a familiy to ask for money? I mean according to Anthony Bob was a lecturer at Eastern Connecticut State University in Sociology, Anthropology & Social Work, surely he was on a good income.
Sorry if I sound callous but help with the funeral expenses?
Maybe it’s because I’m a Londoner , but I’ve never heard of such a thing.
Sorry Bob Phelan rest in peace.
REPLY: I don’t know the details of their personal finances, perhaps he a was a great sociologist but a poor money manager, or maybe they had some other huge expenses that depleted savings. I just don’t know about that, but I do know about this: I’ve seen no hint of any opportunism from them. Many people don’t have cash on hand for such things and in the USA in the Northeast, that number isn’t an uncommon one for a funeral. From what I know of the circumstances of his death, it appears that Bob may have died on the job, moderating for WUWT at his study desk. The least I can do is offer some help. Don’t feel obligated to help, but at the same time please don’t ascribe any motives. – Anthony
Lawrence:
re your post at August 13, 2012 at 10:38 am
We choose the charities we contribute to because there are limits to what any of us can give. Many people think we owe REP so some of us wish to minimise the distress from his passing which those he leaves behind are suffering. All charitable giving is a personal choice: e.g. I don’t give to animal charities but I don’t question the reasons of people who do merely because I am not familiar with their experiences.
Please remember that US and British societies are very different. Yes, it is hard for us to understand how a family could be left destitute because – living in a Welfare State – we “have never heard of such a thing”: it is beyond our experience. But Anthony says “many people” have such difficulties in the US, and if he says it then I see no reason to dispute it.
Richard
We might live in a ‘welfare state ‘ in the UK but I will have to pay for my own funeral as like Bob I work, so remarks like that are misleading. In fact no one working in the UK will get their funeral paid for if anyone dies without a will being made then the bank will release that money that is needed for a will. Anyhow I won’t labour the point as this is Bob’s thread
Sent this weekend through the link (don’t have enough in my PayPal account at present). Thanks for affording us this opportunity to do a little something for the family.
Lawrence:
For the record, I did not mislead and I did not intend to mislead. My purpose was an intention to avoid people being dissuaded for mistaken reasons when considering whether to give. But, for the reason you state, I am dropping it, too.
Richard
Done, via Paypal.
I join in mourning the death of a ‘good bloke’ – the world has few enough of them.
donation sent
condolences to bob’s family
thanks ant, you’re a good man
Now at 65% of target – good work – keep it up!
Best, Allan
I know we’re all drawn to WUWT because we are skeptical argumentative types, but in this case I think all should defer to the judgment of Anthony Watts on why it is worth having the donation thread for Robert Phelan. All can freely either donate or not as they choose, but it is unseemly and pointless to debate whether AW and WUWT should help the family of a dear friend who mean so much to WUWT. This is one time when disagreement is best passed over in silence, imho.
Lucy Skywalker says:
August 12, 2012 at 3:46 am
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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I followed suit and concur Lucy, for those interested in the second paragraph, I suggest they put “Cross Correspondences” in a search engine, as a start.
Donated
Donation sent via PayPal.
Re: henrythethirds post, above…this is the entry on Tamnio’s website, re: REP’s passing.
“One final note: WUWT did lose a long-term moderator, Robert Phelan to an apparent heart attack today, and as I pretty much am not welcome on that site unless I reveal my true name and identity (a special rule just for me apparently), I did want to express my honest and sincere condolences to Robert’s family and his friends at WUWT.”
Henry infers that Tamino said something derogatory about REP’s death; Tamino did no such thing. I am diametrically opposed to almost all the ‘hard science’ one finds here, but REP was indeed seemingly a fair moderator, and my condolences to his family and to WUWT readers.
I sent a donation via Visa debit and my bank allowed the payment and then stopped my account!
Sorted now but for some weird reason my iTunes account was the one that got the flak.
Computers!!!!
PS For some reason Visa don’t seem to like Give Forward [in the UK anyway]
@ Lawrence:
As a university professor who arrived at my position via the sessional and instructor route, I have a vivid experience of how poorly-paid are the instructors in North American universities. One does not become a lecturer for the love of money, but rather because one has the compulsion to share one’s thirst for knowledge.
In my instructorship days, the vast majority of my earnings went toward dentistry: my sons’ braces and my own sadly numerous root canals and crowns. Unlike in the UK, there is no national health care plan for dentistry in either the US or Canada.
Since we have no idea whether or not Robert Phalen’s wife works, or in what capacity she works, it requires no great stretch of the imagination to understand that unforeseen funeral expenses could impose a heavy financial penalty on his family. I will donate again if needed – he was a good man and generous with his time here. Bob Phalen and his family are remembered frequently in my prayers.
At 74% of goal. It’s a simple transaction that takes seconds.
Donated via PayPal
Although new here, I rapidly developed considerable respect for a man who knew how to moderate with style. We will be the poorer for his loss.
The Phelan family is in our heart and in our prayers.
May the grace of the Lord be with Robert and his family.
I donated.
Anthony, does the % of the goal include that of which was contributed via PayPal?
Many of us went that route.
e
REPLY: No It doesn’t, but I’ll inquire – Anthony
Made my donation. And left a comment. I copy/pasted a few verses. Still somehow managed to have typos show up. I think he would have enjoyed taht.
Thank you Anthony. Donated my little bit and I’m very proud of the readers of this blog!
Very sad to hear of the passing of Bob. I offer my sincerest condolances to Bob’s wife and family and to all of his friends and co-workers at WUWT who must have known him so well.
You are all a wonderful bunch of smart and fine people on a very important mission.
I pray God’s comfort and care to all of you at this sad time, and then the strength to move onwards.
And yes, I donated a bit to the fund.
Robin (New Zealand)
Received email from family. Including Paypal donations, as of 9:15 Pacific Time, the total stood at 15,975.00, or 94% of goal.
I don’t think it’s a problem if I share this from Diane’s letter:
The current GiveForward balance is $15,131, so that’s $16,865, essentially at the goal. I’m sure Bob’s family is amazed to see what a wide reach he had from his desk.
I liked the $499 donation – clearly to honor both Bob and Anthony.
I wonder if we can claim a little gravestone space for “RIP, REP”.
Sent. Thanks to Mrs Phelan for lending us her husband’s attention every now and then.
Sent.
I will miss his witty humor.
Goal reached. Blessings to all.
Goal exceeded.
Good job everyone.
What a nice substantive act of charity.
I hope the sentiment this genorosity represents, as well as the money itself, brings comfort during this terrible time.
Gave AFTER goal exceeded. Robert has a widow, a family. I want them to “go out” on the anniversary of his passing. My wish is that they use the excess to do this. AND that they spend some hours remembering this great and wonderful man!
Anthony,
You are a powerful worldwide grassroots entity. May you always walk strong and wisely. Good Job. Best regards, kbray.
REPLY: No, WE, collectively, are that entity. But thank you for the sentiment. – Anthony
Lawrence
If I died tomorrow my immediate family would be financially embarrassed.
I’m not going to bore you or anyone else with how this came to pass. But it’s no real fault of my own, no real fault of anyone’s.
In the words of the poet, Shit happens. Take comfort that it hasn’t happened to you and resist being an arse. And do the rest of the world a favour . . . don’t emigrate.
Don’t really care whether the family “needed” the contributions or not … immaterial here.
REP gave much to the community. And the community has honored that by freely giving back. That is all that is important here.
It would have been easy to donate through PayPal if the financial advantage had been made clear.
HarryW says, “I am diametrically opposed to almost all the ‘hard science’ one finds here.”
You’re welcome to stop by and fully refute any of the science and views posted here. No one will censor you; few, if any at all, will resort to insult. Provide convincing science, and we’ll all change our minds.
We can be sure Bob Phelan wouldn’t have moderated here if he thought WUWT didn’t meet his standards of civility.
Drat! I had just closed down for the night, then it hit me so I had to go back, switch on again.
It feels like A Miracle Just Happened all over again. First time was Climategate One. Second was C2. This is the first time I can remember seeing both warmists and skeptics honouring someone on our side. I regard that as a miracle. Plus raising the money, another miracle.
Your leadership in this cause was tasteful, compelling and honorable. I’m glad that I could donate a little to help express the sense of community you’ve fostered here…
[snip – very bad taste ~ac]
Gosh…[REP] having died has me pondering my own mortality, particularly since having learned of his death at the computer working at this blog. Anthony you have lost a better-than-a-friend. You too must be suffering. My prayers are with you and your remaining friends.
That’s a beautiful thing, Anthony. Congratulations again on drawing high quality participation to your site, and for the uplifting leadership and inspiration you provide your community.
Thank you Anthony and all – a fine job.
Re-posting, in memory of REP:
No man is an island, alone unto itself;
every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is diminished,
even as a promontory were,
even as a manor of thy friend’s or of thine own were:
every man’s death concerns me, because I am concerned with mankind,
and therefore send not to know for whom the bells tolls;
it tolls for thee.
— John Donne (1624)
From Meditations, XVII
Heh, ac, tastes vary. I thought it was just wonderful.
=================================
[Hey Kim, as you say. But in deference to REP, I thought your comment could be interpretted two ways, and I didn’t want to upset anyone – but thanks for the thoughts ~ac]
Sorry for your loss, Anthony. I think the WUWT community and others have spoken with their hearts for you and for REP’s friends and family.
In the Jewish tradition, assisting in the burial of another (including assisting in the physical act of burial) is considered to be philanthropy of the highest order, as the kindness shown to the deceased can never be reciprocated back to the donor. The WUWT community has performed a a “Mitzvah” for Bob Phelan and his family. Anyone who has participated is enriched, from a spiritual perspective.
Thanks for the gracious reply, ac. I write purposefully to be misunderstood, and I regret it in this case. If you were offended by the old fashioned notion that Heaven is a better place than this vale of tears, then I stand convicted of tasteless manners. If you objected to the notion that Robert’s curiosity is satisfied in Heaven, then you also may have a point, for what could be more heavenly than curiosity.
Robert was a great warrior, may his memory live.
=====================
I know I’m just an occasional drive-by snarker, but I wanted to say…
You people make me proud.
A. Scott
You have nailed it.
How come us nasty sceptics are actually very generous and nice people?
Donated. RIP REP, and peace to his people. Thank you, Anthony and commenter community, for opening your hearts and allowing me to open mine. The climate of our spiritual lives is immeasurably the better for our having grieved together for a good man gone.
Good evening everyone. I am Kate REP’s Sister and I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank all of you for the wonderful and kind words for my brother. It mean the world to my mother and to me and the rest of my family. Thank you all for helping us get through this very sad time.
katiegirl06460,
It’s good to hear from you. I trust you are suitably amazed at how many people around the worldappreciated all the time Bob spent helping WUWT. I’m sure I can speak for all of us that it was an honor to help your family.
Ric Werme says:
August 16, 2012 at 9:10 pm
katiegirl06460,
It’s good to hear from you. I trust you are suitably amazed at how many people around the world appreciated all the time Bob spent helping WUWT. I’m sure I can speak for all of us that it was an honor to help your family.
=====================================================
I would only add that it wasn’t just that he spent time helping WUWT but that the time he spent here showed us his character. It was good. You and your Mom got to see it develope as he grew and you all grew up together. Thanks to your Mom raising a good son we got to a little. That “little” was enough to elicit what Ric refered to.
TYPO!
“Thanks to your Mom raising a good son we got to a little.”
Should be “Thanks to your Mom raising a good son we got to know a little.”
“hswiseman says:
August 15, 2012 at 10:03 pm
In the Jewish tradition, assisting in the burial of another (including assisting in the physical act of burial) is considered to be philanthropy of the highest order, as the kindness shown to the deceased can never be reciprocated back to the donor. The WUWT community has performed a a “Mitzvah” for Bob Phelan and his family. Anyone who has participated is enriched, from a spiritual perspective.”
This. Well said.