R.I.P. Gary Maltzen

[Judy G. Russell]

It is with enormous regret that I must announce the loss of our colleague and our friend Gary Maltzen. There aren't enough words to even begin to describe Gary. A big bear of a Minnesotan, Gary was funny, decent, gentle, kind... always willing to go the extra mile, to help even at a cost to himself. The Compuserve forums wouldn't have been what they were without him, and this place won't be the same without him either.

Funeral arrangements are being made; I will post more details when I have them. I will also archive this post and its replies for Gary's wife Bonnie and their family.

[ndebord]

It is with enormous regret that I must announce the loss of our colleague and our friend Gary Maltzen. There aren't enough words to even begin to describe Gary. A big bear of a Minnesotan, Gary was funny, decent, gentle, kind... always willing to go the extra mile, to help even at a cost to himself. The Compuserve forums wouldn't have been what they were without him, and this place won't be the same without him either.

Funeral arrangements are being made; I will post more details when I have them. I will also archive this post and its replies for Gary's wife Bonnie and their family.

Judy,

This is truly sad news. Gary was a great conversationalist and a fine friend in our online community plus he was from my neighborhood. I had no idea he was sick. Never got around to admiting to him that Minnestoa had more lakes than my native Michigan (a running joke we indulged in from time to time.) What happened if I might ask?

My condolences to his family.

Nicholas DeBord

[Peter Creasey]

It is with enormous regret that I must announce the loss of our colleague and our friend Gary Maltzen.

Judy, Egads! What a loss! And so surprising as he always seemed to be at the top of his game.

The impact of his loss seems incomprehensible and so overwhelming.

RIP, Gary!

[ktinkel]

It is with enormous regret that I must announce the loss of our colleague and our friend Gary Maltzen. There aren't enough words to even begin to describe Gary. A big bear of a Minnesotan, Gary was funny, decent, gentle, kind... always willing to go the extra mile, to help even at a cost to himself. The Compuserve forums wouldn't have been what they were without him, and this place won't be the same without him either.

Funeral arrangements are being made; I will post more details when I have them. I will also archive this post and its replies for Gary's wife Bonnie and their family.Oh, no — thanks for the information, but Gary’s death makes me sad.

I wish all the best for his family and friends.

[davidh]

Sad to hear this news. Gary posted in the forum here even on Feb 28.

DH

[earler]

That was sudden. He was here only a short time ago.

-er

[sidney]

I am shocked and so sad to lose someone I considered a friend. Even though we knew each other only through our online presence, his fine character and personality shone through.

[Mike]

I echo your sentiments, Judy. Gary truly was a friend to all, and never was reluctant to try to help anyone with any problem.

I shall miss him.

[Judy G. Russell]

Here's a link to Gary's online obituary (http://www.legacy.com/StarTribune/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonID=86725306), with funeral info.

[Guerri Stevens]

It is with enormous regret that I must announce the loss of our colleague and our friend Gary Maltzen.
I am sorry to hear this. I still have a note on my desk with his suggestions for a problem I was working on!

[Peter Creasey]

funeral info.

Judy, Thanks for the updates.

Can we know what caused his death?

[Judy G. Russell]

Judy, Thanks for the updates. Can we know what caused his death?
My understanding is that it was a heart attack.

[DougYriart]

Judy, Gary will be sorely missed by the Linux Community. He was a constant source of knowledge, and a patient helper to our members.

[Lindsey]

It is with enormous regret that I must announce the loss of our colleague and our friend Gary Maltzen.
Oh, no!! I've been offline the last couple of days, and I can't believe that I've come back to hear that Gary is gone. He was the very personification of "Minnesota nice". What an enormous void he leaves! My heart goes out to Bonnie and the rest of his family.

--Lindsey

[Mike Landi]

Oh, no! I had no idea Gary was sick. I am going to miss him....

My prayers and sympathies to his family.

Gary was a good guy and a real help to all of us.

I'm stunned......

[Lindsey]

Oh, no! I had no idea Gary was sick.
I don't think he was sick, Mike -- I believe this was very sudden.

And you're right, he was a good guy and a great help to an awful lot of people. Gary was all about helping other people out.

--Lindsey

[Mike Landi]

I don't think he was sick, Mike -- I believe this was very sudden.

And you're right, he was a good guy and a great help to an awful lot of people. Gary was all about helping other people out.

--Lindsey
If he was not sick, I hope he did not know what hit him. As I get older, and develop more and more reasons to have to go to doctors, the thought of a slow, debilitating death scares the h*ll out of me.

I pray that Gary is happy and in a better place now.

[dgermann]

Gary was such a help around here and on the CompuServe Forums.

He helped me many times.

This news is a terrible shock. Gary will be missed.

[Don Swaab]

Hi!

It's just too sad. Gary was always willing to share his knowledge.

Regards,

Don

[Lindsey]

Hi, Don! Haven't seen you around for a while!

It occurs to me that as terrible as it is to lose someone, especially someone who should have had many years left to him, one compensation is that the loss brings together people who may have lost touch with one another for a while.

--Lindsey

[Judy G. Russell]

It's just too sad. Gary was always willing to share his knowledge.That, I think, was truly his defining characteristic: that he was so gracious and free with his time and his knowledge. I ran across a problem tonight and it sure hit me with a pang ... Gary is the first person I would ask about something like that. Sigh...

[fhaber]

I might be last, but late or not, I want to add my condolences. Tragic, and too soon.

-f

[Judy G. Russell]

I might be last, but late or not, I want to add my condolences. Tragic, and too soon.Absolutely right on both counts: a tragedy and way too soon.