Dean's World

Steven Malcolm Anderson has died.

I am honestly too choked up to know what to say.

The black is for him.

* Update * The Queen is likewise upset.

One of the biggest bundles of fun we ever knew is gone. :-(

* Update 2 * I've gotten rid of the black background. Time to celebrate Steven's life.

This was sent to my wife Rosemary by Steven's brother David M. Anderson.--Dean

Dear Rosemary,

Thank you very much for your note. It is wonderful to hear how special Steven was to so many of you citizens of the blogosphere. I want you to know that you and Dean and Eric (and a few others; please forgive my poor memory) were very special to him. He talked of you constantly. How marvelous it is to live in a time when it is so easy for kindred spirits to come together across continents and seas. Though neither he nor I ever had a chance to meet you face to face, we regard you as dear friends. I am sorry for the poor judgement and poor typing that delayed your getting the news. I will share the tributes you have written with our family at the service today; I very much appreciate them. Also, some friends in our home town, Monmouth, Oregon, are going to have another memorial gathering in late December, by which time I'm sure there will be more to share. Further, I am putting together a Web site, steven.malcolm.anderson.name, which can be an enduring and continuing memorial. I plan to feature his writings and art, photos, and contributions from all of his friends and family. His life was worthy of eternal celebration.

Best wishes,
Dave

I was chatting with Val Prieto this morning, and he was almost as broken up about Steven being gone as I am:

[11:23] Val: and the thing is
[11:23] Val: that I don't think we ever said or wrote two words to each other
[11:24] Val: but man, every day, you could count on coming over to Dean's World and he was there, holding the door open for you
[11:24] Val: at home
[11:24] Val: it's weird man
[11:24] Dean Esmay: Yep.
[11:24] Val: I am deeply saddened man
[11:24] Dean Esmay: He ***king hated Castro.
[11:24] Val: I know
[11:25] Dean Esmay: He knew a totalitarian bastard when he saw one.
[11:25] Val: he was a very smart guy
[11:25] Val: not an intelllectual snob mind you
[11:26] Val: but and honest to goodness smart man
[11:26] Val: my condolences man
[11:26] Val: to you and the Queen
[11:27] Val: WAS HE ILL?
[11:28] Dean Esmay: I heard early this year he had some heart problems but I did not know they were serious.
[11:29] Val: WOW MAN
[11:29] Dean Esmay: Well I guess all heart problems are serious.
[11:29] Val: oops
[11:29] Val: sorry 'bout the caps
[11:29] Val: your comments section will never be the same Dean
[11:30] Dean Esmay: I know man.
[11:30] Dean Esmay: He was one of the only ones I knew who when I would say, "I f****ng hate communists," he wouldn't say "you shouldn't hate," he would say, "I hate them too."
[11:31] Val: yep
[11:31] Val: he loved you guys
[11:32] Dean Esmay: I think I'm gonna post that.
[11:32] Val: you should
[11:37] Val: http://www.deanesmay.com/archives/005909.html
[11:40] Dean Esmay: LOL
[11:40] Val: :)

Quoted:

Hello,

Yesterday I attended Steven Malcolm Anderson’s memorial service. While the attendees were composed of family members and friends his brother David introduced us to another group of friends dear (perhaps most dear) to Steven. David read several pages of memorial posts he had printed out from you and others. We saw a side of Steven many of us were unaware of. It touched and comforted us all. Thank you.

Steven was my cousin and I cannot say I knew him as well as many who post here and other blogs he frequented. He was very much loved in our family and respected for his great intellect. Socially he was gentle, kind, gracious, polite, quiet and a somewhat reclusive person. I will miss him greatly.

Thank you again, Maurice Miller

12 December 2005