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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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]
@ur momisugly 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.