Re: open-source letter (was: Re: Bevan Schroeder)

[The Chazman <devastator.chaz@extern.ucsd.edu>]

OK, here's what I've come up with standing on Bob's beginning.....

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Carol and Chuck Daley,

Brian Degenhardt was thoughtful enough to pass on the announcement of
Bevan's passing to all of us.  We are all friends of Bevan's from UCSD.
Some of us had a few classes with Bevan.  Some of us socialized with him
on occasion.  Some of us never had the pleasure of meeting him in person.
But we all considered him a dear friend.  The common thread that tied us
together is the UCSD Talk mailing list (mailto:talk-mib.ucsd@org), made
up primarily of UCSD students and recent alumni, and of which Bevan was
an active participant.  The list is an open forum of questions, ideas,
random thoughts, and generic chatting, on which Bevan's voice was often
heard.  He once said that the members of the list are like a family.  We
thought we should take that sentiment to heart at his time, and tell you
that we share your loss and your grief.  You have all of our deepest
condolances.

We plan on holding our own memorial ceremony for Bevan in San Diego this
weekend.  Something a little nontraditional, but we think Bevan would
find it appropriate and appreciate it.  Several of the list members who
have moved away since graduating will be coming to town to participate.
Be assured, Bevan will be well remembered.

We thought you might like to hear some perspectives on why we thought
Bevan was so special and how a few individual members of the list will
remember him.

{I thought we could have everyone who wants to say something here write
 their own paragraph relating one particular instance, and sign it.  For
 example, Scott could write about him always having a grin on his face,
 through the toughest of classes, Bill about the Xterm's h key, Allan
 about the petition, etc.  As a start to this idea, here's mine:}

Despite Bevan's incomparable technical prowess, boundless wit, and
unshakable good nature, I shall remember him as a writer.  Bevan was one
of the few people on the list who, every once in a while, would post
something so eloquent, incisive, and insightful that all could
immediately relate on a personal level, and nothing more needed to be
said.  That ability is a rare thing to find among the highly technically
skilled, and will be missed commensurately.  We have lost a unique
chronicler of our times and our plight.  I can only hope to that somehow
we may find the humor, insight, and direction his words have provided us
in the past from another source now.
                        -----Carl Miller

{Finished off by a list of additional names that wish to sign, but do not
 wish to write their own 'perspective' paragraph.}

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Posted for your hacking.  Please add, edit critique, etc.

                               --------Carl