John Herbst (5thGenDemocrat) has passed away

[MSchreader]

It's my sad responsibility to let you all know that John Herbst (aka 5thGenDemocrat) passed away late Friday night. He was 53 years old. He had went into the hospital a week ago with breathing problems; the doctors later discovered he had advanced adrenal sarcoma throughout his entire body. He had been on a ventilator and in a medically-induced coma for a time, but was taken off those Friday evening by mutual consent of himself and his immediate family. John had made it clear that he did not wish to "linger".

John was an early member of DU, and he, along with davsand and Khephra, introduced me and countless others to this forum. As his name implies, he was a lifetime supporter of the Democratic Party.

Many of you know that John organized an annual social event called Funday. In fact, he was working on Funday XVI when he entered the hospital for the last time. His partner, Polly, and John's closest friends are going to follow John's wishes and hold Funday XVI on June 12, 2010, as a tribute and memorial to him. The family will be organizing another memorial service for John later in the summer.

If anyone has any questions, they can contact me.

[auntAgonist]

1. Thank you for posting this here ...

How terribly sad. John will be missed by all who knew and

loved him. My sympathies to his family and friends.

May you rest in peace John.

aA
kesha

[dmr]

2. This is sad news -

I am so sorry to hear this. Way too young to die. How is Polly doing?

We always chatted about the Tigers - the old Tiger line-ups from way back when. He was a big Mickey Lolitch fan. I wish I could remember the story he told of meeting him. I'll try to remember it, maybe it's in my PMs.
:cry:

[maddezmom]

3. Very sad news

:(

[Festivito]

4. Pass with peace John, thanks for the good fight and the fun.

I'm a bit stunned and not usually at a loss for words. I am now.

Thanks Martin.

[pinto]

5. Sad news. He was a DU regular.

And so young. Condolences to his family and friends, here and in Michigan.

[Skinner]

6. Oh no.

I am so sorry to hear this. Indeed, he was one of the early DUers. And so young. :cry:

[Scout]

7. valuable member of our community will be missed. n/t

[SharonRB]

8. So sorry to hear this

My thoughts are with his family and others close to him.

[greatauntoftriplets]

9. My condolences to John's family.

I remember him from my very early days on DU, even in the months before I actually joined. May he rest in peace.

:cry:

[PassingFair]

10. Copied from the GD thread.....

What a shocker! So sorry for Polly....

"Funday" was my first DU meet-up, and I met
one of my favorite DUers, Sharon RB there.

Mr. and Mrs. Grumpy and Mr. PassingFair
and I took our kids up one year. We spent
the night at a Holiday Inn nearby....

They still talk about it.

:cry:

[SharonRB]

11. The feeling is mutual

We did have fun that day. Dinner was especially fun with all of you guys. Glad we've stayed friends.

[1gobluedem]

12. So very sorry to hear this

He seemed like such a great guy. I always wanted to go to a Funday but it never worked out. My sympathy and heart go out to his family.

[LisaM]

13. Sigh. I'd always hoped to make a Funday, too.

Did they have any inkling he was ill, or was this a silent killer?

[JNelson6563]

14. Terrible news!

So sorry to hear!