[SOC] Quiet...Isn't it.

[Ian C. Purdie]

Chris Redding wrote:

> Brethren
>
> It's very quiet in SOC-land.
>
> Paul's sudden and untimely passing has perhaps kicked us all in the guts...I
> know I felt it because (being a medical man) he was very supportive to me
> off-group when I had my operation, and he took a lot of my fear away.
>
> When he died, I was away for two weeks walking holiday, and so I didn't find
> out what had happened until long after the event.

Yes I was also away at the time on a one week business trip. I wondered about
your lack of response at the time and concluded you must have been elsewhere.
Bill Cunningham arrived at the very same conclusion about me.

Sadly, Paul rang me about a day or so before his demise. I won't go into details
except that he was optimistic about his personal future, even more optimistic
about his latest K2 adventure and so forth.

I had some conversations with Paul's wife Katie before the funeral. Indeed Bill
as well. Bill has since been silent and having the privilege of meeting Bill and
his XYL last January I understand he must also be stricken.

> But I think it would be a great shame to let SOC die too.  Looking back
> through the archive, I really don't think that Paul would want that...do
> you?

Won't ever happen Chris. Us left-wingers will give you something to think about
and Paul will support you from above..

I was thinking about you recently, that tragedy in Berkshire with the train,
near you ?

PS: You're the only "pommy" friend I now have left in the world. You don't
follow cricket? You don't follow Rugby-League? You don't follow pure Rugby?

Oh what a bleak future....

PPS: On my own EQ&A List, Paul was very highly respected. He was a co-moderator
who rarely used his powers over 5+ years [actually only once]

The outpouring of genuine grief even surprised me. Many, but not all, are his
peer group - Physicsits'.

Electronic Brain Surgeons by another name. The grief was palatable and genuine.



72/73's

Ian C. Purdie
Budgewoi N.S.W. Australia - Co-ords S33°14', E151°34'
VK2TIP "I'll give ya the TIP mate" QRP-L #1978. SOC #171 FP#91
http://www.electronics-tutorials.com/