• RIP C.G. Learn - Sysop of Valhalla BBS in Richmond, VA

    From John Dovey@4:920/1.1 to All on Sat Nov 19 09:21:49 2022

    The passing of C.G. Learn - Sysop of Valhalla BBS in Richmond, VA

    It's with a heavy heart that I found out that C.g. Learn, the Sysop of Valhalla BBS in Richmond, VA has passed away. Though we only found out about his death today (November 17th), he passed away on November 3rd. He was 69 years old.

    --- AfterShock/Android 1.6.8
    * Origin: FireCat Mobile (4:920/1.1)
  • From John Dovey@4:920/1.1 to John Dovey on Sat Nov 19 09:24:32 2022


    The passing of C.G. Learn - Sysop of Valhalla BBS in Richmond, VA

    It's with a heavy heart that I found out that C.g. Learn, the Sysop of Valhalla BBS in Richmond, VA has passed away. Though we only found out about his death today (November 17th), he passed away on November 3rd. He was 69 years old.

    https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/timesdispatch/name/c-learn-obituary?id=37799042

    C. LEARN OBITUARY
    LEARN, C. G., Jr., died peacefully at St. Mary's Hospital after a brief illness on November 3, 2022 at the age of 69. He was preceded in death by both his parents. Funeral services to be held at Westhampton Memorial Park at 10000 Patterson Avenue, on November 18, 2022 at 2 p.m.

    Published by Richmond Times-Dispatch on Nov. 17, 2022.
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  • From Paul Hayton@3:770/100 to John Dovey on Sun Nov 20 09:19:53 2022
    On 19 Nov 2022 at 09:21a, John Dovey pondered and said...


    The passing of C.G. Learn - Sysop of Valhalla BBS in Richmond, VA

    It's with a heavy heart that I found out that C.g. Learn, the Sysop of Valhalla BBS in Richmond, VA has passed away. Though we only found out about his death today (November 17th), he passed away on November 3rd.
    He was 69 years old.

    RIP C.G :(

    Kerr Avon [Blake's 7] 'I'm not expendable, I'm not stupid and I'm not going' avon[at]bbs.nz | bbs.nz | fsxnet.nz

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 2021/12/24 (Linux/64)
    * Origin: Agency BBS | Dunedin, New Zealand | agency.bbs.nz (3:770/100)
  • From Ward Dossche@2:292/854 to John Dovey on Sun Nov 20 11:23:34 2022
    John,

    The passing of C.G. Learn - Sysop of Valhalla BBS in Richmond, VA

    Do some further research and post an article for Fidonews ...

    \%/@rd

    --- DB4 - 20220519
    * Origin: Many Glacier - Preserve / Protect / Conserve (2:292/854)
  • From Mike Powell@1:2320/107 to John Dovey on Sun Nov 20 09:49:31 2022
    John Dovey wrote to All <=-

    The passing of C.G. Learn - Sysop of Valhalla BBS in Richmond, VA

    It's with a heavy heart that I found out that C.g. Learn, the Sysop of Valhalla BBS in Richmond, VA has passed away. Though we only found out about his death today (November 17th), he passed away on November 3rd.
    He was 69 years old.

    ;( RIP C.G.



    ... So easy, a child could do it. Child sold separately.
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    * Origin: possumso.fsxnet.nz * SSH:2122/telnet:24/ftelnet:80 (1:2320/107)
  • From Angel Ripoll@2:341/66 to John Dovey on Sun Nov 20 11:56:30 2022
    Hola John!

    19 Nov 22 09:24, John Dovey dijo a John Dovey:

    C. LEARN OBITUARY
    LEARN, C. G., Jr., died peacefully at St. Mary's Hospital after a brief illness on November 3, 2022 at the age of 69. He was preceded in death by both his parents. Funeral services to be held at Westhampton Memorial Park at 10000 Patterson Avenue, on November 18, 2022 at 2 p.m.

    :(

    RIP C.G.

    Un saludo,
    Angel Ripoll
    aripoll @ zruspas.org

    --- GoldED+/LNX 1.1.5-b20220504 + HPT 1.9 + Binkd 1.1 en Debian
    * Origin: Synchronet - bbs.zruspas.org - Zruspa's BBS - (2:341/66)
  • From Nigel Reed@1:124/5016 to John Dovey on Mon Nov 21 01:47:06 2022
    On Sat, 19 Nov 2022 09:21:49 -0500
    "John Dovey" <john.dovey@4:920/1.1> wrote:

    The passing of C.G. Learn - Sysop of Valhalla BBS in Richmond, VA

    It's with a heavy heart that I found out that C.g. Learn, the Sysop
    of Valhalla BBS in Richmond, VA has passed away. Though we only found
    out about his death today (November 17th), he passed away on November
    3rd. He was 69 years old.

    Thank you for passing this on. C.G. Learn, or Desotofireflite as he
    went by, was always willing to help and was very kind to run a game
    server that he let me use.

    He will be missed in the BBS community, I'm sure, and my thoughts are
    with his family.
    --
    End Of The Line BBS - Plano, TX
    telnet endofthelinebbs.com 23
    --- SBBSecho 3.20-Linux
    * Origin: End Of The Line BBS - endofthelinebbs.com (1:124/5016)
  • From Ward Dossche@2:292/854 to Nigel Reed on Mon Nov 21 15:16:05 2022
    Nigel,

    Thank you for passing this on. C.G. Learn, or Desotofireflite as he
    went by, was always willing to help and was very kind to run a game
    server that he let me use.

    Why not write an article about him for Fidonews?

    Fidonews is indexed on the internet and future searches will yield results as a result of that. In this way the name of a person who once was known to us does not vanish into thin air ...

    Just a suggestion.

    Take care,

    \%/@rd

    --- DB4 - 20220519
    * Origin: Many Glacier - Preserve / Protect / Conserve (2:292/854)
  • From Nigel Reed@1:124/5016 to Ward Dossche on Mon Nov 21 10:23:02 2022
    Re: Re: RIP C.G. Learn - Sysop of Valhalla BBS in Richmond, VA
    By: Ward Dossche to Nigel Reed on Mon Nov 21 2022 15:16:05

    Why not write an article about him for Fidonews?

    Fidonews is indexed on the internet and future searches will yield results as a result of that. In this way the name of a person who once was known to us does not vanish into thin air ...

    Well, you're the person who has mentioned writing an article twice now, so maybe you're the man for the job. I didn't know him that well, certainly not as much as other sysops, I just know he helped me with my little bit of the BBS world.

    I believe I mentioned we should have a page for our fallen sysop brothers but I think it got shot down. How about an rip comment section in the nodelist, they'll be forever imortal then :)

    Plus, it'll give the NLP something else to moan about.
    --- SBBSecho 3.20-Linux
    * Origin: End Of The Line BBS - endofthelinebbs.com (1:124/5016)
  • From Ward Dossche@2:292/854 to Nigel Reed on Mon Nov 21 19:52:44 2022
    Nigel,

    Well, you're the person who has mentioned writing an article twice now,
    so maybe you're the man for the job.

    I have written multiple articles about people who once were among us and then passed away ... but other than the name I have no idea who the man was. Someone must have known him ...

    I believe I mentioned we should have a page for our fallen sysop brothers but I think it got shot down. How about an rip comment section in the nodelist, they'll be forever imortal then :)

    I have proposed exactly the same thing several years ago but my colleague ZCs decided against it for a variety of reasons, so it was shelved. I could've done it on my own simply "because I could" but the opinion of the other ZCs is worth something, also of former ZCs who are invited guests in the ZCC-conference.

    Plus, it'll give the NLP something else to moan about.

    The NLP is not necessarily by definition a negative entity, try looking at them as a resource instead of as the enemy.

    I have been annoyed by the NLP as well but I declined to comment and observed what was going on. And really ... this is not going to make me many friends ... they have been pointing out an amount of issues which are ... errors. As a result some RCs in Z2 have indeed intervened, adapted entries, removed them, made the nodelist better ... I don't see the problem.

    They are analysing a lot more than just nodelist entries, also which symbolic addresses are problematic as at some point there were entries which did not resolve for years on end. Also they're looking at the situation in Ukraine and how it affects the nodes still operating there under war-conditions.

    Take care,

    \%/@rd

    --- DB4 - 20220519
    * Origin: Many Glacier - Preserve / Protect / Conserve (2:292/854)
  • From Nigel Reed@1:124/5016 to Ward Dossche on Mon Nov 21 16:12:10 2022
    Re: Re: RIP C.G. Learn - Sysop of Valhalla BBS in Richmond, VA
    By: Ward Dossche to Nigel Reed on Mon Nov 21 2022 19:52:44

    The NLP is not necessarily by definition a negative entity, try looking at them as a resource instead of as the enemy.

    It was more of a tongue-in-cheek comment.
    --- SBBSecho 3.20-Linux
    * Origin: End Of The Line BBS - endofthelinebbs.com (1:124/5016)
  • From Ward Dossche@2:292/854 to Nigel Reed on Tue Nov 22 00:20:07 2022
    The NLP is not necessarily by definition a negative entity, try
    looking at them as a resource instead of as the enemy.

    It was more of a tongue-in-cheek comment.

    After a drinking spree during the week-end I tried to demonstrate I was ober again ... 8-)

    Other than that, Fidonet sometimes is a weird society and I'm in a unique position.

    Some will say that Nick is an asshole and I will disagree. We've met in the past and he is quite the family man. I know.

    Some will say that Wilfred and Michiel are a complete waste of even trying, and I will disagree. I have met both on more than one occasion and they're perfect gentlemen, enjoying a good beer and a talk. The late Bob Bashe and Joe Delahaye went out of their way to come along for a visit, a chat and a meal.

    I learned so much from Nick and Wilfred and Michiel. Sometimes it was difficult but when you start to regard that other party as a resource, then it's completely different.

    In the echoes however, so much is lost in translation ...

    \%/@rd

    --- DB4 - 20220519
    * Origin: Many Glacier - Preserve / Protect / Conserve (2:292/854)
  • From Mike Powell@1:2320/107 to Ward Dossche on Wed Nov 23 16:12:38 2022
    Ward Dossche wrote to Nigel Reed <=-

    Some will say that Wilfred and Michiel are a complete waste of even trying, and I will disagree. I have met both on more than one occasion
    and they're perfect gentlemen, enjoying a good beer and a talk. The
    late Bob Bashe and Joe Delahaye went out of their way to come along for
    a visit, a chat and a meal.

    I was not aware that Joe had passed. Sorry to hear that.

    Mike


    ... What is mind? No matter! What is matter? Never mind! - Homer S.
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    * Origin: possumso.fsxnet.nz * SSH:2122/telnet:24/ftelnet:80 (1:2320/107)
  • From Paul Hayton@3:770/100 to Ward Dossche on Thu Nov 24 13:42:58 2022
    On 22 Nov 2022 at 12:20a, Ward Dossche pondered and said...

    After a drinking spree during the week-end I tried to demonstrate I was ober again ... 8-)

    obriety is a tough road to follow... i asked Alexa for directions but she was of no help either :(

    Other than that, Fidonet sometimes is a weird society and I'm in a unique position.

    Some will say that Nick is an asshole and I will disagree. We've met in the past and he is quite the family man. I know.

    Some will say that Wilfred and Michiel are a complete waste of even trying, and I will disagree. I have met both on more than one occasion
    and they're perfect gentlemen, enjoying a good beer and a talk. The late Bob Bashe and Joe Delahaye went out of their way to come along for a visit, a chat and a meal.
    I learned so much from Nick and Wilfred and Michiel. Sometimes it was difficult but when you start to regard that other party as a resource, then it's completely different.

    I like this :) It speaks to the fact that we're all human and what we type in the echos is a but a fraction of the whole of someone. It's nice that you have been able to meet face to face with a number of people you have corresponded with over the years.

    Have to say when you're located down in the South Pacific (as I am) surrounded by a lot of water it makes doing this a tad harder. Still I expect in time I may get to meet up with a few more fellow BBSers.

    Kerr Avon [Blake's 7] 'I'm not expendable, I'm not stupid and I'm not going' avon[at]bbs.nz | bbs.nz | fsxnet.nz

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 2021/12/24 (Linux/64)
    * Origin: Agency BBS | Dunedin, New Zealand | agency.bbs.nz (3:770/100)
  • From Ward Dossche@2:292/854 to Mike Powell on Thu Nov 24 01:48:04 2022
    Mike,

    I was not aware that Joe had passed. Sorry to hear that.

    September 2017 ... he suffered from cancer and it spread real fast. This is my obituary about him which appeared in Fidonews. I think others wrote articles as well...

    ***************************************************************************** *Joe Delahaye left us
    Joe Delaye left us
    Ward Dossche - 2:292/854

    It was a fun day years ago when Joe Delahaye showed-up in
    The Netherlands. We had been planning to welcome the prodigal son
    amongst our midst for years. "Prodigal son", because he was a native
    from the lowlands on the coast of the Northsea and a couple of times
    he accompanied his aging mother on visits back to the old country
    and relatives that stayed there.

    As a young boy he emigrated with his parents to Canada, built up a
    life there and had a job as an airplane mechanic in the Canadian air
    force ... he could talk for hours and hours about maintenance on
    Boeing 707's. He met his future wife when serving in, at that time,
    occupied Germany and she followed him to Canada when he went back.

    We knew all about Joe, but never met him. So when he came over on 2
    occasions we were able to twist his arm and eek-out a few hours for
    his friends in Fidonet.

    He drove down with Kees Van Eeten from Den Helder in the Netherlands
    to a small quiet town in the Province of Noord-Holland where we
    converged on the house of Michiel vander Vlist in Driebergen.

    The first time in 2010, or 2011, (I think), it also featured Bob
    Bashe who drove over from Germany for the occasion and Jan Vermeulen
    who had to abandon Fidonet for medical reasons. Except Michiel,
    myself and Kees it also featured Wilfred Van Velzen ... maybe others
    too but at my age it's a perk to forget.

    And in 2014 we met Joe again with just Michiel, Kees, Wilfred and
    myself at which time we had a hard disc throwing competition. Video
    exists of this event, this is the URL:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sz3XhaZvWu0

    Joe was someone you wanted to be with, a true friend, softspoken,
    never controversial, always trying to do the correct thing, never
    abusive, it seems without an agenda. An oxymoron for the Fidonet that
    some people think it is

    His passing creates an empty spot that we will not be able to fill
    again. It's a sad event but we also need to be thankful for the many
    years we could enjoy his company, his friendship and walk the same
    path that he did.

    The world stopped for a moment on September 24th 2017 and will not be
    the same again.

    Joe will be missed by all who had the good fortune to spend some time
    with him.

    Ward Dossche
    Z2C

    --- DB4 - 20220519
    * Origin: Many Glacier - Preserve / Protect / Conserve (2:292/854)
  • From Ward Dossche@2:292/854 to Paul Hayton on Thu Nov 24 02:02:00 2022
    I like this :) It speaks to the fact that we're all human and what we
    type in the echos is a but a fraction of the whole of someone. It's nice that you have been able to meet face to face with a number of people you have corresponded with over the years.

    I have met several sysops and *Cs and never was disappointed, even when meeting people I fought heroic verbal battles with ... especially the Greeks.

    Before retirement I traveled a lot for business and was able to link up with the RCs of most regions plus 8 ZCs ... whatever issue one had, it always automatically went away after a get together, breaking bread, sharing a beer...well, not with one ZC ... but in the end I met a lot of people, learned a lot and generally had a good time.

    \%/@rd

    --- DB4 - 20220519
    * Origin: Many Glacier - Preserve / Protect / Conserve (2:292/854)
  • From Paul Hayton@3:770/100 to Ward Dossche on Fri Nov 25 08:29:13 2022
    On 24 Nov 2022 at 02:02a, Ward Dossche pondered and said...

    I have met several sysops and *Cs and never was disappointed, even when meeting people I fought heroic verbal battles with ... especially the Greeks.
    Before retirement I traveled a lot for business and was able to link up with the RCs of most regions plus 8 ZCs ... whatever issue one had, it always automatically went away after a get together, breaking bread, sharing a beer...well, not with one ZC ... but in the end I met a lot of people, learned a lot and generally had a good time.

    It's great you were able to weave travel with both work and hobby. It's always nice to experience new places and see some new and old faces along the way if you can.

    I think the closest I may get to any of that is on a Zoom, Skype or Teams call with some fellow sysops... so not so much travel but at least some face to face chat without any keyboard text ambiguities :)

    Come to think of it, it's not really something I have done much of at all since returning to the hobby circa 2012... most contacts tend to be helping others get set up and then moving on to the next person to help etc.

    Kerr Avon [Blake's 7] 'I'm not expendable, I'm not stupid and I'm not going' avon[at]bbs.nz | bbs.nz | fsxnet.nz

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 2021/12/24 (Linux/64)
    * Origin: Agency BBS | Dunedin, New Zealand | agency.bbs.nz (3:770/100)
  • From Nick Andre@1:229/426 to Paul Hayton on Thu Nov 24 16:11:13 2022
    On 25 Nov 22 08:29:13, Paul Hayton said the following to Ward Dossche:

    I think the closest I may get to any of that is on a Zoom, Skype or Teams c with some fellow sysops... so not so much travel but at least some face to face chat without any keyboard text ambiguities :)

    I'm hosting a Sysop-gathering at my place next year.

    Nick

    --- Renegade vY2Ka2
    * Origin: Joey, do you like movies about gladiators? (1:229/426)
  • From Paul Hayton@3:770/100 to Nick Andre on Fri Nov 25 12:54:50 2022
    On 24 Nov 2022 at 04:11p, Nick Andre pondered and said...

    I think the closest I may get to any of that is on a Zoom, Skype or Te with some fellow sysops... so not so much travel but at least some fac face chat without any keyboard text ambiguities :)

    I'm hosting a Sysop-gathering at my place next year.

    Cool, I need a very large bridge to get across the water between us to make that one :)

    Kerr Avon [Blake's 7] 'I'm not expendable, I'm not stupid and I'm not going' avon[at]bbs.nz | bbs.nz | fsxnet.nz

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 2021/12/24 (Linux/64)
    * Origin: Agency BBS | Dunedin, New Zealand | agency.bbs.nz (3:770/100)
  • From Nick Mackechnie@3:772/210 to Paul Hayton on Sat Nov 26 20:43:00 2022
    Paul, we could do a boys trip :-)

    PAUL HAYTON wrote to NICK ANDRE <=-

    Netmail: 3:770/100
    On 24 Nov 2022 at 04:11p, Nick Andre pondered and said...

    I think the closest I may get to any of that is on a Zoom, Skype
    or Te
    with some fellow sysops... so not so much travel but at least some
    fac
    face chat without any keyboard text ambiguities :)

    I'm hosting a Sysop-gathering at my place next year.

    Cool, I need a very large bridge to get across the water between us to make that one :)

    Kerr Avon [Blake's 7] 'I'm not expendable, I'm not stupid and I'm not going' avon[at]bbs.nz | bbs.nz | fsxnet.nz

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 2021/12/24 (Linux/64)
    * Origin: Agency BBS | Dunedin, New Zealand | agency.bbs.nz
    (3:770/100)

    --- MultiMail/Win v0.52

    --- SLMAIL v5.1 (#SLO409KEDG15G098)
    * Origin: The Trashcan - The BEST Rubbish * bbs.thenet.gen.nz (3:772/210)
  • From Ward Dossche@2:292/854 to Nick Mackechnie on Sat Nov 26 09:57:13 2022
    Paul, we could do a boys trip :-)

    Yeahhhhh .... 8-)

    --- DB4 - 20220519
    * Origin: Many Glacier - Preserve / Protect / Conserve (2:292/854)
  • From John Dovey@4:920/1.1 to Ward Dossche on Sat Nov 26 10:38:30 2022

    Paul, we could do a boys trip :-)

    Yeahhhhh .... 8-)
    Or you could meet halfway and I could host here in Panama ;-)


    --- AfterShock/Android 1.6.8
    * Origin: FireCat Mobile (4:920/1.1)
  • From Ward Dossche@2:292/854 to John Dovey on Sat Nov 26 18:39:37 2022
    Paul, we could do a boys trip :-)

    Yeahhhhh .... 8-)
    Or you could meet halfway and I could host here in Panama ;-)

    I'm OK with Panama City ...

    \%/@rd

    --- DB4 - 20220519
    * Origin: Many Glacier - Preserve / Protect / Conserve (2:292/854)
  • From Carol Shenkenberger@1:275/100 to John Dovey on Sun Dec 11 16:39:15 2022
    Re: RIP C.G. Learn - Sysop of Valhalla BBS in Richmond, VA
    By: John Dovey to All on Sat Nov 19 2022 09:21 am

    The passing of C.G. Learn - Sysop of Valhalla BBS in Richmond, VA

    It's with a heavy heart that I found out that C.g. Learn, the Sysop of Valhalla BBS in Richmond, VA has passed away. Though we only found out about his death today (November 17th), he passed away on November 3rd. He was 69 years old.


    Yes, I passed the news to R13. His node numbers are there as down giving Jay Allshire a bit of time as he wants to setup a site wth them. I'll wait 2 weeks more then remve if I do not hear more.

    xxcarol
    --- SBBSecho 2.11-Win32
    * Origin: SHENK'S EXPRESS (1:275/100)
  • From Carol Shenkenberger@1:275/100 to Ward Dossche on Sun Dec 11 16:53:51 2022
    Re: Re: RIP C.G. Learn - Sysop of Valhalla BBS in Richmond, VA
    By: Ward Dossche to Nigel Reed on Mon Nov 21 2022 07:52 pm

    Nigel,

    Well, you're the person who has mentioned writing an article twice now, so maybe you're the man for the job.

    I have written multiple articles about people who once were among us and the passed away ... but other than the name I have no idea who the man was. Some must have known him ...

    I believe I mentioned we should have a page for our fallen sysop brother but I think it got shot down. How about an rip comment section in the nodelist, they'll be forever imortal then :)

    I have proposed exactly the same thing several years ago but my colleague ZC decided against it for a variety of reasons, so it was shelved. I could've d it on my own simply "because I could" but the opinion of the other ZCs is wo something, also of former ZCs who are invited guests in the ZCC-conference.

    Plus, it'll give the NLP something else to moan about.

    The NLP is not necessarily by definition a negative entity, try looking at t as a resource instead of as the enemy.

    I have been annoyed by the NLP as well but I declined to comment and observe what was going on. And really ... this is not going to make me many friends they have been pointing out an amount of issues which are ... errors. As a result some RCs in Z2 have indeed intervened, adapted entries, removed them, made the nodelist better ... I don't see the problem.

    They are analysing a lot more than just nodelist entries, also which symboli addresses are problematic as at some point there were entries which did not resolve for years on end. Also they're looking at the situation in Ukraine a how it affects the nodes still operating there under war-conditions.

    Take care,

    \%/@rd

    Janis Kracht knew him. I barely did.


    I got word he was in the hospital then on or about 20Nov that he'd passed. I had already marked him down. Jay contacted that he was trying an emeritus thing so held them for a bit but not forwever if wondering.

    xxcarol
    --- SBBSecho 2.11-Win32
    * Origin: SHENK'S EXPRESS (1:275/100)