Fred Barlett died early this year. He will be sadly missed

Often the connection we build with another via the internet is shallow. This isn't a medium that that tends to build strong personal bonds between individuals. But I felt a strong connection with Fred. I liked his combination of polite, gentle, and humorous exchanges. And I admired the degree to which he thought for himself.... as a first-hand thinker - as a quality thinker.

If it ever made sense to rail against the universe as unfair, it would be when a good person, a valuable person, a person who has earned a special place among friends and family suddenly dies and leaves that inevitable hole in our social fabric.

Here is a link to Fred's Quotes here on RoR, but they don't do justice to his wit or to the breadth of his intelligence: (http://rebirthofreason.com/Spirit/Quotes/Author_566.shtml)

The Obituary

Post 1

Friday, June 5, 2015 - 8:36pm

I'm just heartsick to hear about this. Fred was certainly a favorite of mine and I'll never forget him.

Thank you so much for the notice, Steve.

Damn.

Post 2

Friday, June 5, 2015 - 8:38pm

Teresa, "Heartsick" is the right word.

Post 3

Friday, June 5, 2015 - 10:39pm

Fred had a good sense of life. I really enjoyed interacting with him here and elsewhere. I will miss him.

Post 4

Saturday, June 6, 2015 - 12:42am

Fred was one of those guys I felt was going to live forever, typing away with a can of beer next to his keyboard.

He had dry wit that could re-frame any phenomenon and make it understandable to anyone. While I often passed over posts from others, I never passed-up the chance to read Fred's. Each of his post's left an imprint upon my mind and it didn't hurt that he could make me laugh, too. I've already started to re-read some of his; I best start making use of the "book mark" function on this site.

Post 5

Saturday, June 6, 2015 - 3:34am

My condolences to his family. I had noticed his ceasing posting and wondered why. I enjoyed reading many of his posts.

Post 6

Saturday, June 6, 2015 - 10:54am

This is indeed sad news.

Steve, thanks for alerting us.

I definitely miss Fred.

Post 7

Saturday, June 6, 2015 - 11:25am

Luke, it was Mike Ericson who discovered this sad news. He made a post on a different thread. when I saw that, I started Googling because I was hoping Mike was wrong. I had exchanged email with Fred in November and he had helped me with a tricky electrical problem on my boat. Our last email exchange was in December. Then I was off sailing in Mexico. Like you, I started to notice Fred hadn't chimed in for a while, but RoR has been quiet recently so I didn't pursue it.

Post 8

Saturday, June 6, 2015 - 5:46pm

If you follow the link to the obituary, you will see another link to add your thoughts to the guest book.

Post 9

Saturday, June 6, 2015 - 6:48pm

Sad news. We enjoyed each other's thinking and information here on and on. Sad for his loved ones. Sad his mind and zest are gone from these sites (RoR and OL), though at least we have his past contributions.

Fred – 12/29/14

The meaning of my life . . .

Not, “the” meaning of life: rather, the meaning of my life.

Life: pluralities.

My life: singular.

"My life" can have such a thing as “the meaning,” and, as well, at different times, different meanings. In the end, the sum total of those meanings, as well as, any lingering influence in my children and socius, is “the meaning.”

Post 10

Sunday, June 7, 2015 - 4:15pm

Indeed, it is a loss to all of us. His incisive wit and insightful comments were a joy. I wasn't always able to follow some of his esoteric wanderings but he was way ahead of me.

RIP

Sam

Post 11

Monday, June 8, 2015 - 7:28pm

Damn that really sucks. I will miss him dearly.

RIP Fred.

Post 12

Monday, June 8, 2015 - 8:36pm

You missed him first Jules.

Post 13

Tuesday, June 9, 2015 - 2:54pm

I had wondered Mikee.

I hate to say it but I also wonder about Ed Thompson, just isn't LIKE him to just up and vanish without even a word. Not this long..

Post 14

Wednesday, June 10, 2015 - 7:32am

Condolences to Fred's loved ones.

I know that Ed was concerned about his privacy. Potentially that concern became so strong that he decided to discontinue posting here. He didn't say anything to me before he discontinued. When was his last post?

Post 15

Wednesday, June 10, 2015 - 1:07pm

delete

Wednesday, June 10, 2015 - 2:20pm