Sprinkler Systems Uhaul move Lawn care Roses and trees Ford Parts Chrysler Parts Lake Powell New IPod Touch Apps New IPhone Apps IPhone Apps IPad Information IPad Apps Android APPS Android Games APPS Android Systems Android Tablets APPS and Beyond Smartphone Apps Smartphone Games Apps Repair and Tools Tablet PC Car Sharing Car Leasing Tabler Pc Fly Fishing Toyota Cars Vacation Rentals Stock market NYSE SSE Stock Freight & Shipping News Gluten Lactose Gout My Coupon Life Campgrounds Check Outdoor Kitchen Design and Redoo Bath Remodeling Palm Springs Las Vegas Vacation Tipps Lake Powell Boating Homes for lease Electric and green Car Blog Pearls and diamonds Whatsapp and forget SMS Blog, What is Whatsapp App Solar Panel Solar Energie Sun Power Blog
Reader


[Suche]  [Administrator]  [Hinweise zum Reader]  [Startseite]
Fantasy » alt.fan.tolkien » George Freeman - the softrat
George Freeman - the softrat [message #144545] Do, 06 Oktober 2005 02:40
Laurie Forbes  
From his wife:
"Today George passed away quietly in his sleep. His health had been
slipping for years as he had a neuromuscular disease called myasthenia
gravis for most of his life and it has been getting worse with age. He is
survived by a sister, two brothers, a niece, a wife, a step-son and
step-daughter. He enjoyed a wide variety of friends and activities
throughout his lifetime, although his activities had been declining in
recent years.
We bid you a loving farewell, George."

--
Laurie Forbes
Re: George Freeman - the softrat [message #144546 ] Do, 06 Oktober 2005 02:45
Tar-Elenion  
In article <co_0f.23851$7b6.21764 [at] twister.nyroc.rr.com>,
moc.rr.eniam [at] 1sebrofr says...
> From his wife:
> "Today George passed away quietly in his sleep. His health had been
> slipping for years as he had a neuromuscular disease called myasthenia
> gravis for most of his life and it has been getting worse with age. He is
> survived by a sister, two brothers, a niece, a wife, a step-son and
> step-daughter. He enjoyed a wide variety of friends and activities
> throughout his lifetime, although his activities had been declining in
> recent years.
> We bid you a loving farewell, George."

RIP
:(

--
Tar-Elenion

He is a warrior, and a spirit of wrath. In every
stroke that he deals he sees the Enemy who long
ago did thee this hurt.
Re: George Freeman - the softrat [message #144548 ] Do, 06 Oktober 2005 03:01
ojevind.lang  
Laurie Forbes wrote:

>From his wife:
>"Today George passed away quietly in his sleep. His health had been
slipping for years as he had a neuromuscular disease called myasthenia
gravis for most of his life and it has been getting worse with age. He
is
survived by a sister, two brothers, a niece, a wife, a step-son and
step-daughter. He enjoyed a wide variety of friends and activities
throughout his lifetime, although his activities had been declining in
recent years.
>We bid you a loving farewell, George."

George was my friend, first on the Internet and then also when we met
at the first TEUNC moot in Oxford in 2000. I mourn him.

=D6jevind
Re: George Freeman - the softrat [message #144549 ] Do, 06 Oktober 2005 03:58
OMeallyMD  
Laurie Forbes wrote:

<snip>
> We bid you a loving farewell, George."

I am truly grieved. When I first started posting here in the late 90's,
I got the Softrat "gnubie" treatment. I seriously disliked the guy! But
very quickly, I found myself seeking out his posts and laughing,
sometimes uproariously, at his dry wit.

God be with you Softie. You will indeed be missed!
--
Bill

"Wise fool"
Gandalf, THE TWO TOWERS
-- The Wise will remove 'se' to reply; the Foolish will not--
Re: George Freeman - the softrat [message #144550 ] Do, 06 Oktober 2005 04:25
Baronjosefr  
"Laurie Forbes" <moc.rr.eniam [at] 1sebrofr> wrote in message
news:co_0f.23851$7b6.21764 [at] twister.nyroc.rr.com...
> From his wife:
> "Today George passed away quietly in his sleep. His health had been
> slipping for years as he had a neuromuscular disease called myasthenia
> gravis for most of his life and it has been getting worse with age. He is
> survived by a sister, two brothers, a niece, a wife, a step-son and
> step-daughter. He enjoyed a wide variety of friends and activities
> throughout his lifetime, although his activities had been declining in
> recent years.
> We bid you a loving farewell, George."
>
> --
> Laurie Forbes
>
>

Well, that really sucks.....Softrat was a great guy. We are all certainly
less for no longer having his insights, in to whatever topic.
Re: George Freeman - the softrat [message #144551 ] Do, 06 Oktober 2005 04:27
sbjensen  
Quoth "Laurie Forbes" <moc.rr.eniam [at] 1sebrofr> in article
<co_0f.23851$7b6.21764 [at] twister.nyroc.rr.com>:
> "Today George passed away quietly in his sleep.
....
> We bid you a loving farewell, George."

(Thank you, Laurie.)

I'm deeply saddened by this. He was such a fixture in the community
here; it won't be the same without him. Softrat, if there's any sort
of "after" out there, and if you happen to look in on us back here, we
miss you!
Steuard Jensen
Re: George Freeman - the softrat [message #144552 ] Do, 06 Oktober 2005 04:54
Matthew Bladen  
On Thu, 06 Oct 2005 00:40:40 GMT, Laurie Forbes (moc.rr.eniam [at] 1sebrofr)
said:
> From his wife:
> "Today George passed away quietly in his sleep. His health had been
> slipping for years as he had a neuromuscular disease called myasthenia
> gravis for most of his life and it has been getting worse with age. He is
> survived by a sister, two brothers, a niece, a wife, a step-son and
> step-daughter. He enjoyed a wide variety of friends and activities
> throughout his lifetime, although his activities had been declining in
> recent years.
> We bid you a loving farewell, George."

I also met George five years ago at the first TEUNC moot, and found him
to be good company, with a lively wit, an inquiring mind and a thirst
for knowledge. His poor health meant that he couldn't spend as much time
with us that week as either he or we wanted, and it was a noticeable
loss.

Even those who knew his health had been failing in recent years are
shocked at this sad and sudden news - particularly those who were
chatting with him only a few days ago. There's a tendency to think that
people out there in cyberspace are immortal, and I'm sorry that this
illusion has been shattered. I shall miss him greatly.

Ave atque vale, ratte.
--
Matthew
Re: George Freeman - the softrat [message #144553 ] Do, 06 Oktober 2005 05:00
Een Wilde Ier  
Laurie Forbes wrote:
> From his wife:
> "Today George passed away quietly in his sleep. His health had been
> slipping for years as he had a neuromuscular disease called myasthenia
> gravis for most of his life and it has been getting worse with age. He is
> survived by a sister, two brothers, a niece, a wife, a step-son and
> step-daughter. He enjoyed a wide variety of friends and activities
> throughout his lifetime, although his activities had been declining in
> recent years.
> We bid you a loving farewell, George."

Oh, God.

From myself and Henriette both, may he rest in peace. He will be
certainly missed. Our sympathies to his family.

David
Re: George Freeman - the softrat [message #144554 ] Do, 06 Oktober 2005 05:05
Count Menelvagor  
Laurie Forbes wrote:
> From his wife:
> "Today George passed away quietly in his sleep. His health had been
> slipping for years as he had a neuromuscular disease called myasthenia
> gravis for most of his life and it has been getting worse with age. He is
> survived by a sister, two brothers, a niece, a wife, a step-son and
> step-daughter. He enjoyed a wide variety of friends and activities
> throughout his lifetime, although his activities had been declining in
> recent years.
> We bid you a loving farewell, George."

i'm so sorry to hear this. rest in peace, softrat.
Re: George Freeman - the softrat [message #144555 ] Do, 06 Oktober 2005 05:18
donnellaf  
Laurie Forbes wrote:
> From his wife:
> "Today George passed away quietly in his sleep. His health had been
> slipping for years as he had a neuromuscular disease called myasthenia
> gravis for most of his life and it has been getting worse with age. He is
> survived by a sister, two brothers, a niece, a wife, a step-son and
> step-daughter. He enjoyed a wide variety of friends and activities
> throughout his lifetime, although his activities had been declining in
> recent years.
> We bid you a loving farewell, George."
>
> --
> Laurie Forbes


Alas!

I've been a drifter, every so often on the newsgroups and teunc over the
past 8 or so years. The softrat has always been there, in the circle of
the wise, and I'll always remember him. Sometimes he could get to you,
but it was for good, since, after all, he's the softrat, and that's a
good thing. I learned much from him, and now my heart breaks.

Farewell softrat! I offer my prayers for you and your family.
Requiescat in pace.



Andy
Re: George Freeman - the softrat [message #144556 ] Do, 06 Oktober 2005 06:02
William Hsu  
George was a man of much wit, wry and never dull. I knew him online
but by the time I had the chance to get out to his part of the country,
he was never well enough again to travel far. It's an opportunity I
shall miss, like the old fellow himself.

Farewell, Softrat. Sleep well.

--
Banazir
Re: George Freeman - the softrat [message #144557 ] Do, 06 Oktober 2005 06:15
Larry Swain  
William Hsu wrote:
> George was a man of much wit, wry and never dull. I knew him online
> but by the time I had the chance to get out to his part of the country,
> he was never well enough again to travel far. It's an opportunity I
> shall miss, like the old fellow himself.
>
> Farewell, Softrat. Sleep well.
>
> --
> Banazir
>
So many have said so much. I will miss George very much, his rapier wit
was often on the mark. May he rest well, and if Laurie is yet reading,
our best wishes and condolences to his family.
Re: George Freeman - the softrat [message #144558 ] Do, 06 Oktober 2005 06:21
gp.skinner  
"Laurie Forbes" <moc.rr.eniam [at] 1sebrofr> wrote in message
news:co_0f.23851$7b6.21764 [at] twister.nyroc.rr.com...
>
> From his wife:
> "Today George passed away quietly in his sleep. His health had been
> slipping for years as he had a neuromuscular disease called myasthenia
> gravis for most of his life and it has been getting worse with age. He is
> survived by a sister, two brothers, a niece, a wife, a step-son and
> step-daughter. He enjoyed a wide variety of friends and activities
> throughout his lifetime, although his activities had been declining in
> recent years.
> We bid you a loving farewell, George."
> Laurie Forbes

Thanks Laurie for passing the news on, I was gutted when I read it. RIP
Softy!

Graeme
Re: George Freeman - the softrat [message #144559 ] Do, 06 Oktober 2005 08:58
Troels Forchhammer  
In message <news:co_0f.23851$7b6.21764 [at] twister.nyroc.rr.com> "Laurie
Forbes" <moc.rr.eniam [at] 1sebrofr> enriched us with:

> From his wife:
> "Today George passed away quietly in his sleep.

<mood="sad">

:-(

Behold! we are not bound for ever to the circles of the
world, and beyond them is more than memory, Farewell!
- Aragorn, /The Lord of the Rings/ (J.R.R. Tolkien)

> We bid you a loving farewell, George."

Indeed.

> Laurie Forbes

Thanks, Laurie.

--
Troels Forchhammer
Valid e-mail is <t.forch(a)email.dk>

Philosophers
must ultimately find
their true perfection

in knowing all
the follies of mankind
- by introspection.
- Piet Hein, /The Ultimate Wisdom/
Re: George Freeman - the softrat [message #144560 ] Do, 06 Oktober 2005 07:50
Steve Hayes  
On Thu, 06 Oct 2005 00:40:40 GMT, "Laurie Forbes" <moc.rr.eniam [at] 1sebrofr>
wrote:

>From his wife:
>"Today George passed away quietly in his sleep. His health had been
>slipping for years as he had a neuromuscular disease called myasthenia
>gravis for most of his life and it has been getting worse with age. He is
>survived by a sister, two brothers, a niece, a wife, a step-son and
>step-daughter. He enjoyed a wide variety of friends and activities
>throughout his lifetime, although his activities had been declining in
>recent years.
>We bid you a loving farewell, George."

Memory eternal!

--
Steve Hayes
Web: http://www.geocities.com/hayesstw/stevesig.htm
http://www.bookcrossing.com/mybookshelf/Methodius
Re: George Freeman - the softrat [message #144561 ] Do, 06 Oktober 2005 10:09
schuenecke  
On Thu, 06 Oct 2005 00:40:40 GMT Laurie Forbes wrote:

> From his wife:
> "Today George passed away quietly in his sleep. His health had been
> slipping for years as he had a neuromuscular disease called myasthenia
> gravis for most of his life and it has been getting worse with age. He is
> survived by a sister, two brothers, a niece, a wife, a step-son and
> step-daughter. He enjoyed a wide variety of friends and activities
> throughout his lifetime, although his activities had been declining in
> recent years.
> We bid you a loving farewell, George."

I'm just a lurker but I always loved reading his posts :( Farwell and
take care of yourself wherever you are now.

Dorte
Re: George Freeman - the softrat [message #144562 ] Do, 06 Oktober 2005 11:56
TT Arvind  
Goodbye, old friend. I will miss you very much.

--
Aravindhan
Re: George Freeman - the softrat [message #144563 ] Do, 06 Oktober 2005 12:17
Tux Wonder-Dog  
Laurie Forbes wrote:

> From his wife:
> "Today George passed away quietly in his sleep. His health had been
> slipping for years as he had a neuromuscular disease called myasthenia
> gravis for most of his life and it has been getting worse with age. He is
> survived by a sister, two brothers, a niece, a wife, a step-son and
> step-daughter. He enjoyed a wide variety of friends and activities
> throughout his lifetime, although his activities had been declining in
> recent years.
> We bid you a loving farewell, George."
>
> --
> Laurie Forbes

Resquiet In Pace, Softrat. I enjoyed your comments, late though I came to
the party.

Wesley Parish
--
"Good, late in to more rewarding well."  "Well, you tonight.  And I was
lookintelligent woman of Ming home.  I trust you with a tender silence."  I
get a word into my hands, a different and unbelike, probably - 'she
fortunate fat woman', wrong word.  I think to me, I justupid.
Let not emacs meta-X dissociate-press write your romantic dialogs...!!!
Re: George Freeman - the softrat [message #144564 ] Do, 06 Oktober 2005 12:52
Tux Wonder-Dog  
Tux Wonder-Dog wrote:

> Laurie Forbes wrote:
>
>> From his wife:
>> "Today George passed away quietly in his sleep. His health had been
>> slipping for years as he had a neuromuscular disease called myasthenia
>> gravis for most of his life and it has been getting worse with age. He
>> is survived by a sister, two brothers, a niece, a wife, a step-son and
>> step-daughter. He enjoyed a wide variety of friends and activities
>> throughout his lifetime, although his activities had been declining in
>> recent years.
>> We bid you a loving farewell, George."
>>
>> --
>> Laurie Forbes
>
> Resquiet In Pace, Softrat. I enjoyed your comments, late though I came to
> the party.
>
> Wesley Parish

I forgot to add - enjoy your toes, safe from the madding crowd!
--
"Good, late in to more rewarding well."  "Well, you tonight.  And I was
lookintelligent woman of Ming home.  I trust you with a tender silence."  I
get a word into my hands, a different and unbelike, probably - 'she
fortunate fat woman', wrong word.  I think to me, I justupid.
Let not emacs meta-X dissociate-press write your romantic dialogs...!!!
Re: George Freeman - the softrat [message #144565 ] Do, 06 Oktober 2005 14:09
zip  
"Laurie Forbes" <moc.rr.eniam [at] 1sebrofr> wrote...

> From his wife:
> "Today George passed away quietly in his sleep. His health had been
> slipping for years as he had a neuromuscular disease called myasthenia
> gravis for most of his life and it has been getting worse with age. He is
> survived by a sister, two brothers, a niece, a wife, a step-son and
> step-daughter. He enjoyed a wide variety of friends and activities
> throughout his lifetime, although his activities had been declining in
> recent years.
> We bid you a loving farewell, George."

This is awful news. The Softrat was such a notable character on this NG. I
didn't know him well, but I always enjoyed reading his witty comments.

Goodbye Softrat.

You will be missed around here.

-Paul.
Re: George Freeman - the softrat [message #144568 ] Do, 06 Oktober 2005 15:46
aelfwina  
"Laurie Forbes" <moc.rr.eniam [at] 1sebrofr> wrote in message
news:co_0f.23851$7b6.21764 [at] twister.nyroc.rr.com...
> From his wife:
> "Today George passed away quietly in his sleep. His health had been
> slipping for years as he had a neuromuscular disease called myasthenia
> gravis for most of his life and it has been getting worse with age. He is
> survived by a sister, two brothers, a niece, a wife, a step-son and
> step-daughter. He enjoyed a wide variety of friends and activities
> throughout his lifetime, although his activities had been declining in
> recent years.
> We bid you a loving farewell, George."

Oh no! I'm going to miss him. His comments were always funny, even his
flames. And who will initiate the newbies now...
Barbara

>
> --
> Laurie Forbes
>
>
Re: George Freeman - the softrat [message #144569 ] Do, 06 Oktober 2005 16:11
Flame of the West  
Laurie Forbes wrote:

> From his wife:
> "Today George passed away quietly in his sleep. His health had been
> slipping for years as he had a neuromuscular disease called myasthenia
> gravis for most of his life and it has been getting worse with age. He is
> survived by a sister, two brothers, a niece, a wife, a step-son and
> step-daughter. He enjoyed a wide variety of friends and activities
> throughout his lifetime, although his activities had been declining in
> recent years.
> We bid you a loving farewell, George."

I never met him personally but I liked him and will
certainly miss his wicked humor. These NGs will not
be the same without him. He will be in our prayers.

-- FotW
Re: George Freeman - the softrat [message #144570 ] Do, 06 Oktober 2005 15:49
Jon Hall  
In message <co_0f.23851$7b6.21764 [at] twister.nyroc.rr.com>
"Laurie Forbes" <moc.rr.eniam [at] 1sebrofr> wrote:

> From his wife:
> "Today George passed away quietly in his sleep. His health had been
> slipping for years as he had a neuromuscular disease called myasthenia
> gravis for most of his life and it has been getting worse with age. He is
> survived by a sister, two brothers, a niece, a wife, a step-son and
> step-daughter. He enjoyed a wide variety of friends and activities
> throughout his lifetime, although his activities had been declining in
> recent years.
> We bid you a loving farewell, George."

RIP Softee.
So sad a passing.
Jon.

--
jgc.hall [at] tiscali.co.uk
http://www.mcvax.org/jghall/
Re: George Freeman - the softrat [message #144571 ] Do, 06 Oktober 2005 16:37
Graham Lockwood  
I too had the fortune of meeting him in person a couple of years ago and was
also chatting online with him just a couple of days ago. I'm going to miss
the furry little bugger...

Namárië, softrat, namárië.



---
Graham
Re: George Freeman - the softrat [message #144573 ] Do, 06 Oktober 2005 18:48
Arkady  
"Laurie Forbes" <moc.rr.eniam [at] 1sebrofr> wrote in message
news:co_0f.23851$7b6.21764 [at] twister.nyroc.rr.com...
> From his wife:
> "Today George passed away quietly in his sleep. His health had been
> slipping for years as he had a neuromuscular disease called myasthenia
> gravis for most of his life and it has been getting worse with age. He is
> survived by a sister, two brothers, a niece, a wife, a step-son and
> step-daughter. He enjoyed a wide variety of friends and activities
> throughout his lifetime, although his activities had been declining in
> recent years.
> We bid you a loving farewell, George."
>
> --
> Laurie Forbes

Thank you Laurie.


I first started reading AFT in the mid-90s, and I remember the softrat as a
one of key personalities from then 'til now. That sunny day in 2000 when I
saw him standing outside the White Horse in Oxford holding a sign upon which
was scrawled 'TEUNC' - well I fell in love with the eccentric old bugger
there and then . Sitting in the pub that day waiting for the others to
arrive, while he assailed me with an untouchable display of racounteurship
while simultaniously driving off the local winos with his razor-sharp
humour... well I'll never forget.

I feel his loss like a weight in my chest and my gut. We always bickered, I
was always wrong, and I never told him how much I looked up to him. That
I'll never get the chance breaks me up.

Sleep well my friend, you won't be forgotten.

Arkady
Re: George Freeman - the softrat [message #144574 ] Do, 06 Oktober 2005 19:01
Michelle  
Laurie Forbes wrote:
> From his wife:
> "Today George passed away quietly in his sleep. His health had been
> slipping for years as he had a neuromuscular disease called myasthenia
> gravis for most of his life and it has been getting worse with age. He is
> survived by a sister, two brothers, a niece, a wife, a step-son and
> step-daughter. He enjoyed a wide variety of friends and activities
> throughout his lifetime, although his activities had been declining in
> recent years.
> We bid you a loving farewell, George."

Sympathies for his family members.

Something someone told me after my son died, which I've never
forgotten:
"There is no cure for grief but grieving."

MIchelle
Flutist
Re: George Freeman - the softrat [message #144575 ] Do, 06 Oktober 2005 19:08
Chris Wright  
Laurie Forbes wrote:
> From his wife:
> "Today George passed away quietly in his sleep. His health had been
> slipping for years as he had a neuromuscular disease called myasthenia
> gravis for most of his life and it has been getting worse with age. He is
> survived by a sister, two brothers, a niece, a wife, a step-son and
> step-daughter. He enjoyed a wide variety of friends and activities
> throughout his lifetime, although his activities had been declining in
> recent years.
> We bid you a loving farewell, George."
>
> --
> Laurie Forbes
>
>

We had our disagreements but I won't say I'm glad he's gone.

RIP.
Re: George Freeman - the softrat [message #144576 ] Do, 06 Oktober 2005 20:01
Taemon  
I'd never have thought I'd shed tears for the softrat. Farewell,
obnoxious furry one. You will be missed.

Thank you, Laurie.

T.
Re: George Freeman - the softrat [message #144579 ] Do, 06 Oktober 2005 20:52
Pete Gray  
In article <di28kp$1kh$1 [at] news6.svr.pol.co.uk>,
gp.skinner [at] NOSPAM.talk21.com says...
>
>
> "Laurie Forbes" <moc.rr.eniam [at] 1sebrofr> wrote in message
> news:co_0f.23851$7b6.21764 [at] twister.nyroc.rr.com...
> >
> > From his wife:
> > "Today George passed away quietly in his sleep. His health had been
> > slipping for years as he had a neuromuscular disease called myasthenia
> > gravis for most of his life and it has been getting worse with age. He is
> > survived by a sister, two brothers, a niece, a wife, a step-son and
> > step-daughter. He enjoyed a wide variety of friends and activities
> > throughout his lifetime, although his activities had been declining in
> > recent years.
> > We bid you a loving farewell, George."
> > Laurie Forbes
>
> Thanks Laurie for passing the news on, I was gutted when I read it. RIP
> Softy!
>
> Graeme

Me too. Shocked and saddened. We'll miss him.

--
Pete Gray
Re: George Freeman - the softrat [message #144580 ] Do, 06 Oktober 2005 21:47
Jette Goldie  
On Thu, 06 Oct 2005 01:40:40 +0100, Laurie Forbes <moc.rr.eniam [at] 1sebrofr>
wrote:

> From his wife:
> "Today George passed away quietly in his sleep. His health had been
> slipping for years as he had a neuromuscular disease called myasthenia
> gravis for most of his life and it has been getting worse with age. He
> is
> survived by a sister, two brothers, a niece, a wife, a step-son and
> step-daughter. He enjoyed a wide variety of friends and activities
> throughout his lifetime, although his activities had been declining in
> recent years.
> We bid you a loving farewell, George."

Promise me this isn't some kind of sick joke? :-(

He emailed me only last week about accents and dialects in Scotland and
Northern England.


--
Jette Goldie
jette.goldie [at] gmail.com
http://www.jette.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/
http://www.livejournal.com/users/wolfette/
Re: George Freeman - the softrat [message #144582 ] Do, 06 Oktober 2005 22:18
Christopher Kreuzer  
Laurie Forbes <moc.rr.eniam [at] 1sebrofr> wrote:
> From his wife:
> "Today George passed away quietly in his sleep. His health had been
> slipping for years as he had a neuromuscular disease called myasthenia
> gravis for most of his life and it has been getting worse with age.
> He is survived by a sister, two brothers, a niece, a wife, a step-son
> and step-daughter. He enjoyed a wide variety of friends and
> activities throughout his lifetime, although his activities had been
> declining in recent years.
> We bid you a loving farewell, George."

My condolences to his family. May the softrat rest in peace.

Thank-you Laurie, for passing on the sad tidings.

When I first saw this thread this morning, my heart sunk at the simple
title, and the list of responses, stretching down the screen like a
death knell, rather than the nested discussions more often seen. I hoped
that it was not sad news, but sadly it was. A reminder, so soon after
the news in another thread of a newborn baby, that in all communities
there is also death in the midst of life.

As the contributions to this thread increased throughout the day, I
found myself being moved to tears. Reading the tributes to softrat was
so moving. Many old timers, or those who have been inactive recently,
surfacing to pay their respects.

I have very little to add. I remember the softrat's curmudgeonly ways,
but his bark was always worse than his bite, and his humour was always
to the fore. I remember my fascination at discovering his webpages,
especially the ones on the Germanic languages (currently the first hit
when you Google 'softrat') and on TEUNC. What really disarmed me though
was the discovery of the pictures of himself on his website, from youth
to old age.

Though I too came late to the party, I too will miss softrat.

Christopher

--
---
Reply clue: Saruman welcomes you to Spamgard
Re: George Freeman - the softrat [message #144584 ] Do, 06 Oktober 2005 23:16
Chris Kern  
I've been reading this newsgroup for over 9 years now and softrat has
always been around to put his brand of acerbic humor into the mix. I
had no idea that he was ill -- but I want to thank Laurie for bringing
this to our attention. Too often people just disappear from online
forums, and you never know if they just moved on with their life or if
something worse happened (hardly anyone leaves behind instructions for
their loved ones to post on message boards announcing their death.)

-Chris
Re: George Freeman - the softrat [message #144585 ] Do, 06 Oktober 2005 22:59
Raven  
"Laurie Forbes" <moc.rr.eniam [at] 1sebrofr> skrev i en meddelelse
news:co_0f.23851$7b6.21764 [at] twister.nyroc.rr.com...

> From his wife:
> "Today George passed away quietly in his sleep. His health had been
> slipping for years as he had a neuromuscular disease called myasthenia
> gravis for most of his life and it has been getting worse with age. He is
> survived by a sister, two brothers, a niece, a wife, a step-son and
> step-daughter. He enjoyed a wide variety of friends and activities
> throughout his lifetime, although his activities had been declining in
> recent years.
> We bid you a loving farewell, George."

That is bad news. Ratte mollis, tell St. Peter from me that it's okay to
be arrogant if you're factually correct.

Jon Lennart Beck.
Re: George Freeman - the softrat [message #144586 ] Fr, 07 Oktober 2005 01:05
Shanahan  
Bill O'Meally wrote:
> Laurie Forbes wrote:
>
> <snip>
>> We bid you a loving farewell, George."
>
<snip>
> God be with you Softie. You will indeed be missed!

Missed indeed. The Softrat was a unique voice and a witty one. That's
how you knew you'd really arrived on the ngs: Softie ripped you a new
one.

I will greatly miss the old curmudgeon in the corner!

----
- Ciaran S.
Re: George Freeman - the softrat [message #144587 ] Fr, 07 Oktober 2005 02:05
morgothscurse2002  
On Thu, 06 Oct 2005 00:40:40 GMT, "Laurie Forbes"
<moc.rr.eniam [at] 1sebrofr> wrote:

>From his wife:
>"Today George passed away quietly in his sleep. His health had been
>slipping for years as he had a neuromuscular disease called myasthenia
>gravis for most of his life and it has been getting worse with age. He is
>survived by a sister, two brothers, a niece, a wife, a step-son and
>step-daughter. He enjoyed a wide variety of friends and activities
>throughout his lifetime, although his activities had been declining in
>recent years.
>We bid you a loving farewell, George."

This is a matter for tears rather than song, but I just thought I
would share this poem by W.R. Hearst in the hope that it will provide
some measure of comfort:


The snow melts on the mountain
And the water runs down to the spring,
And the spring in a turbulent fountain,
With a song of youth to sing,
Runs down to the riotous river,
And the river flows to the sea,
And the water again
Goes back in rain
To the hills where it used to be.

Then the water harked back to the mountaintop
To begin its course once more.
And I wonder if life's deep mystery
Isn't much like the rain and the snow
Returning through all eternity
To the places it used to know.
So we shall run the course begun
Till we reach the silent shore.

For life was born on the lofty heights
From the heart of the virgin snow.
And flows in a laughing stream,
To the river below
Whose onward flow
Ends in a peaceful dream.

And so at last,
When our life has passed
And the river has run its course,
It again goes back,
o'er the selfsame track,
To the mountain which was its source.
So why prize life
Or why fear death,
Or dread what is to be?
The river ran its allotted span,
Till it reached the silent sea.

So don't ask why we live or die,
Or whither, or when we go,
Or wonder about the mysteries
That only God may know.



The Softrat is irreplaceable and I hereby posthumously award him the
title (which he shall hold in perpetuity) of the official OGRE of
AFT/RABT. (I am sure that he would have been delighted by the honor.)
I am exceedingly thankful that we shall at the least always enjoy his
wit and wisdom through the Google archives.


Farewell, old friend.


Morgoth's Curse
Re: George Freeman - the softrat [message #144588 ] Fr, 07 Oktober 2005 02:15
Yuk Tang  
"Arkady" <Redarkady [at] hotmail.com> wrote in
news:di3kgf$4v5$1 [at] nwrdmz01.dmz.ncs.ea.ibs-infra.bt.com:
> "Laurie Forbes" <moc.rr.eniam [at] 1sebrofr> wrote in message
> news:co_0f.23851$7b6.21764 [at] twister.nyroc.rr.com...
>
>> From his wife:
>> "Today George passed away quietly in his sleep. His health had
>> been slipping for years as he had a neuromuscular disease called
>> myasthenia gravis for most of his life and it has been getting
>> worse with age. He is survived by a sister, two brothers, a
>> niece, a wife, a step-son and step-daughter. He enjoyed a wide
>> variety of friends and activities throughout his lifetime,
>> although his activities had been declining in recent years.
>> We bid you a loving farewell, George."
>
> I first started reading AFT in the mid-90s, and I remember the
> softrat as a one of key personalities from then 'til now. That
> sunny day in 2000 when I saw him standing outside the White Horse
> in Oxford holding a sign upon which was scrawled 'TEUNC' - well I
> fell in love with the eccentric old bugger there and then .
> Sitting in the pub that day waiting for the others to arrive,
> while he assailed me with an untouchable display of racounteurship
> while simultaniously driving off the local winos with his
> razor-sharp humour... well I'll never forget.
>
> I feel his loss like a weight in my chest and my gut. We always
> bickered, I was always wrong, and I never told him how much I
> looked up to him. That I'll never get the chance breaks me up.
>
> Sleep well my friend, you won't be forgotten.

I didn't like the softrat when I first came to the Tolkien groups,
thinking of him as a cantankerous old bugger. After a while, it
became clear that he knew a fair bit about what I was interested in,
and I respected him for it, though I still didn't like him. Then I
saw that softie didn't really take himself seriously, and I started
to appreciate the man. I guess this appreciation will have to wait
until the next life.

But in case he still has access to usenet, wherever he's gone,
"Here's to you, softy!".


--
Cheers, ymt.
Re: George Freeman - the softrat [message #144589 ] Fr, 07 Oktober 2005 02:48
Gregory Hernandez  
Well, like most internet postings of this type, I treated it at first with
skepticism. After witnessing the outpourings here I no longer am skeptical.
He seems to have touched many lives. Anyone know how old he was?
Re: George Freeman - the softrat [message #144593 ] Fr, 07 Oktober 2005 04:39
Ermanna  
Laurie Forbes sadly swam across a river of CHOKLIT:
<shnip>

<blinks a few times in shock>

I never actually thought it would happen. Things will never be the same.

In honor of the softrat I am ordering the attack-cats to not attack any
soft rats.

Ermanna the Lady of Imladris

You can never become whole unless you embrace the weirdness in
yourself. Celaeno
Re: George Freeman - the softrat [message #144594 ] Fr, 07 Oktober 2005 06:19
Belba Grubb From Stoc  
I too came late to the party, but had once wondered if he was a member
of the Royal Family as he had used their motto occasionally as a sig
line. He laughed at that, but one can see now that there is royalty of
wit as well as royalty in lineage, and to the former he most definitely
belonged.

We all have passage booked on that Last Ship, though we know not the
time of our departure. I am glad his passage was so easy, but it's hard
to realize now that there can ever again be something like gladness, the
sound of the waves lapping the shores of this Earth is so powerful, like
tears, as I peer into the darkness for one last glimpse of those distant
lights.

But they have vanished.

Good night, softrat.

Aure entuluva,

Barb
Re: George Freeman - the softrat [message #144596 ] Fr, 07 Oktober 2005 10:53
Yuk Tang  
Belba Grubb From Stock <barbb [at] dbtech.net> wrote in
news:11kbtrfa5c6q4dd [at] corp.supernews.com:

> I too came late to the party, but had once wondered if he was a
> member of the Royal Family as he had used their motto occasionally
> as a sig line. He laughed at that, but one can see now that there
> is royalty of wit as well as royalty in lineage, and to the former
> he most definitely belonged.
>
> We all have passage booked on that Last Ship, though we know not
> the time of our departure. I am glad his passage was so easy

A bit _too_ easy for him? By rights he should have died on his feet
(well, paws), tearing into another fool who took himself and Tolkien
too seriously, while the victim was wondering why this little rodent
was nibbling on their toes.

An interesting fellow, I suspect the Christian heaven may be a bit too
peaceful and conformist for his taste. I hope he's gone to Valhalla,
or somewhere where they appreciate a bit of rough and tumble.


--
Cheers, ymt.
Vorheriges Thema:Re: Stamp out pinyin!
Nächstes Thema:Eleventy-three
Gehe zu:
  


aktuelle Zeit: Mi Mai 23 23:38:25 CEST 2012

Insgesamt benötigte Zeit, um die Seite zu erzeugen: 0,46353 Sekunden
.:: Startseite - Hinweise - Impressum ::.

Powered