This is just too sad...

[GoddessOfGuinness]

I've just read an email about a conductor I played under in November. I didn't know him well, but under his baton, it was clear that his devotion to music was sincere and deeply felt.

He apparently committed suicide about a week and a half ago, a shock to all who knew him. The following is an excerpt from a letter to a local newspaper that was written by his sisters:

When he died, apparently of self-inflicted knife wounds (no sign of any other person's presence, no attempt to break into his car, no signs of struggle), Tim left a note, addressed to his younger brother. It was clearly Tim's handwriting, signature, voice and sentiments.

As some of you know, Tim had a very strong sense of injustice and a desire to remedy it where he could: for example, by giving and raising money to help promising young musicians and creating venues where they could perform; by bringing music education into the inner city; and by working to protect the environment. He also followed the Washington and international news closely, read widely and intelligently, and was quick to question values, actions and decisions that he felt were morally wrong.

He could not easily accept the economic inequities in this country, which led, for instance, the rich and powerful to send young people of lower income and/or minority races to risk their lives in wars he considered questionable. In his letter he wrote:

"I choose to sacrifice my happy and productive life to protest ..." and then followed a list including the losses of our young people in Iraq and the tens and thousands of innocent men, women and children killed there, the "worsening blight of our inner cities" and "the degradation of our environment." He closed the note by expressing "my love to my wonderful family and friends."

This just makes me heartsick. I feel like Dumbyass has won one more victory in his ongoing war against decent human beings...

[Dookus]

1. I'm sorry, Goddess...

:hug:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

7. Thanks Dookus...

He worked so hard to enrich the lives of underpriveleged kids...taking music to them. And when I played with his orchestra, I was overwhelmed by the generosity of the pay. He treated his musicians well.

I wish I'd known him better.

[MnFats]

2. I've been afraid of this kind of thing....

...the world is damn depressing right now. There's something new every single day. It seems crushing at times.
But ... we must carry on.

deepest sympathy to you & your conductor's family....

[tigereye]

3. healing vibes to you and to his family Goddess

it makes me heartsick to hear this kind of story. :hug:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

15. Thanks Tigereye...

I want to find ways of keeping our compatriots spirits up, so more people don't sink to this...

[tigereye]

18. it is sad how it is often the most idealistic

who fall prey to despair. I wish they would come to others for a better solution first.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

14. Carrying on is all we can do...

Can't leave the world to the freeps.

[Wapsie B]

4. I'm so sorry Goddess

My deepest sympnathies.

[Minstrel Boy]

5. I didn't think I could feel worse tonight

after reading about Hunter S Thompson, but shows what I know.

That's awfully tragic. It's hard to keep raging against the dying of the light, when bastards in high places keep blowing out the candles.

But life has to triumph, not death. We can't concede one more life to them.

[barb162]

9. I am despondent about what's going on too BUT

"But life has to triumph, not death. We can't concede one more life to them."

[GoddessOfGuinness]

10. Yup...

Makes me want to fight somebody...
Somebody throw a freeper over here so I can kick his ass!

[Uzybone]

6. add Hunter Thompson to that list

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-Obit-Thompson.html

[barb162]

8. geez, what a fucking tragedy. This person is super talented

and smart and obviously very caring... I am SO sad he didn't use his talents to "protest" in a different way

[GoddessOfGuinness]

12. It sounds like the stress was just too much for him

Also from the letter:

In her much respected book on suicide, "Night Falls Fast," Kay Redfield Jamison writes: "Suicide is never the result of a single factor or event, but rather results from a complex interaction of many factors ... many suicides are sudden and unexpected."

[Floogeldy]

11. Knife wounds?

I hope the police do a thorough investigation.

That is weird.

I'm sorry you lost a friend.

Floog

[GoddessOfGuinness]

13. I really didn't know him well...

I enjoyed playing with his orchestra for that one concert.

Since he left a note, and there were no apparent signs of a struggle where tha body was found, the police say that they have no reason to suspect foul play.

[PartyPooper]

16. So many lives lost or stolen in the past 4 years.

I am so saddened by your post. Words are beyond me at this point.

But, I do feel your pain.

:-(

[Rhiannon12866]

17. Goddess, I am just so sorry. What a waste and a tragedy.

This has not been a good day on DU. So many losses, and my heart goes out to all of you, and, certainly, to them.;(