DU was informed that JeffR passed away one year ago today
I wrote this on Facebook that dark day.
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It's funny. Due to the nature of my work - writer and editor for an online alternative newspaper since 2002 - I live online. Some of the relationships I've built are going on 20 years old, because I was in the game before the Clinton impeachment...and that can be hard, because your friends are just a screen name, and so many others will say shit to a keyboard they'd never DARE say to your face, and it can be aggravating.
...and then a guy like JeffR - who I have known and admired for years - dies out of nowhere, and I find myself with tears in my eyes for a man I never once met. I only knew him as a screen name, but the news of his loss hit me like a blow. That was the measure of the man; he made that large an impact on someone he never laid eyes on, because of the excellent force of his presence.
Technology is strange and terrible and beautiful...and I'll tell you something, and take close note: The keyboard is the content of your character in this weird space. People like JeffR are sadly rarer than hen's teeth. You know, or not. It depends on where you look, and how you act yourself. In the immortal words of Jim Morrison, "This is the strangest life I've ever known."
Fair winds and following seas, Jeff. I never met you, but by God, you will be missed.
= new reply since forum marked as read
Good to see you here, Will.
I find myself feeling like quite a few people I will never meet are actual friends. Pen pals maybe? Hard to figure except it is what it is and as someone who lives in a loose, small area with not too many people around and as one getting older and less able to just go places I find it comforting as I will never be totally alone 
Jeff was a good guy. I miss mitchtv too, that one hurt a lot (as have many) and still the wonderful oneighty. I look at and read parts of oneighty's book and the letters he sent me and the beautiful pictures of his time as a soldier during the Korean War. The Internet can be a wonderful place at times , after all I have known you for a long time and have been glad of that many of those times.
for Jeff in your honor.
Gone too soon, like so many...
I'm glad to see you here to point this out .
Nance
words fail
Our forever DU friend.
I couldn't believe he passed away. I still can't. 
Thank you for coming here to share these words.
For JeffR and many others gone too soon.
We were friends.
but I will light the proverbial candle for him.. The Cosmos is large, may your journey be great and find a star to steer by.
