I know i had already posted this in the other thread but later i realized the news may get lost over there.
Tuffie passed away this morning. He fought long & hard. He really was the tuffiest man i know and also the most caring.
I am at loss for words and my heart is just broke at the moment.

Tuff was surely one of the 'good guys'.

No more suffering for him, he did indeed fight long and hard.

Visit the PC911 UD forum...Download UD program... Join PC911

Ah jeeze, first thing I saw this grey Saturday morning after a mostly sleepless night. I am so so sorry. Seeing this and feeling it the way I do right now, took me off guard. It made me realize what a community this is. I have been pulling for Tuff in my own way now for quite a while. I am surprised at my own feelings. Please accept my condolences and a prayer to speed Tuff on to a better place.

Dave

A million times we needed you,
A million times we cried,
If love alone would have saved you,
You would of never died.
In life we loved you dearly,
In death we love you still,
In our hearts you hold a place,
No one can ever fill.
A light from our household is gone,
A voice from our love is stilled,
A place in our vacant home,
Which never can be filled.
Some may think you are forgotten,
Though on earth you are no more,
But in our memory you are with us,
As you always were before.
It broke our hearts to lose you,
But you did not go alone,
A part of us went with you,
The day God called you home.
Your precious memories are for keepsakes,
with which we never part,
God has you safely in his keeping,
But we have you forever in our hearts.

Goodbye Tuffie, rest in peace, my friend. *tears*
Jan (Kiwi2022) no dancing sig today

Goodbye Tuffie. I'll miss you. I hope you find the rest and peace you deserve.

Jim.

I'm at a loss for words. I'll miss his "cowpoke feller" smiling at me. I'll miss him, even though I rarely got to see much of his posts in recent times. He never really had a bad thing to say about anyone. I was just about to check in on the other thread to see the news on Tuff... I guess I hadn't realized just how close he was to the end... I'm in shock.

Goodbye Tuff...

Goodbye dear Tuff
Many tears are flowing for you, but now you have peace.
My heartfelt condolences go to his family.
~~

Phicksus - I'm immensely sorry for your loss. My sympathy goes out to you and the rest of Tuff's family.

Tuffie, you'll be sorely missed.

this just seemed to me something that Tuffie might say to his friends...

When I die
Give what's left of me away
To children
And old men that wait to die
And if you need to cry
Cry for your brother
Walking the street beside you
And when you need me
Put your arms around anyone and give them
What you need to give me.
I want to leave you something
Something better
Than words or sounds
Look for me
In the people I've known or loved
And if you can't give me away
At least let me live on in your eyes
As well as in your heart.

-Merrit Malloy

Go with God, Tuffie. you sure did while you were here.

sophie

To Patty, Mike, and Barb-

thank you for your work to keep us updated, working while you were grieving yourselves.

my condolences to you, and to all the people here that loved him.

part of one more poem:

If I should ever leave you whom I love
To go along the Silent Way, grieve not,
Nor speak of me with tears, but laugh and talk
Of me as if I were beside you there.

We cannot see Beyond...
But this I know:
I loved you so-'twas heaven here with you!

Isla Pascal Richardson


sophie

I just got back online, and since Bitbenders has been offline since yesterday (server problems), I started to read posts here. I am at a loss of words over this news.
Bob and I became quite close and were able to talk about many, many things - personal and computing...we each helped the other when different problems arose.
I have lost a truly great friend with his passing. At least now he will be in no pain and have no suffering.
My condolences go out to his family and to his 'extended family' .
My tears are flowing now as I type this...and I didn't even cry when I heard my Mother had passed away last year.

God Bless you, Bob...you were the Tuffest and sweetest of them all.
One last from me.

Ilona

OH, that is so sad. I never knew the man all that well but what I did know I really liked.

Rest in Peace Tuff. :(

Good night Tuffie .



On Death
Then Almitra spoke, saying, "We would ask now of Death."

And he said:

You would know the secret of death.

But how shall you find it unless you seek it in the heart of life?

The owl whose night-bound eyes are blind unto the day cannot unveil the mystery of light.

If you would indeed behold the spirit of death, open your heart wide unto the body of life.

For life and death are one, even as the river and the sea are one.

In the depth of your hopes and desires lies your silent knowledge of the beyond;

And like seeds dreaming beneath the snow your heart dreams of spring.

Trust the dreams, for in them is hidden the gate to eternity.

Your fear of death is but the trembling of the shepherd when he stands before the king whose hand is to be laid upon him in honour.

Is the shepherd not joyful beneath his trembling, that he shall wear the mark of the king?

Yet is he not more mindful of his trembling?

For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun?

And what is to cease breathing, but to free the breath from its restless tides, that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered?

Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing.

And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb.

And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance.

Amazing Grace

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.

’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me,
His Word my hope secures;
He will my Shield and Portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, Who called me here below,
Shall be forever mine.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’d first begun.


Rest in peace dear friend Tuff.

Amen, Marti.

My condolences to Tuff's family and loved ones,

Amen from me,too.

Tuffie, I'll miss you.

Copper

What sad, sad news .....for Tuff's family and for his many friends.

At least his earthly suffering is behind him now.

And I have always firmly believed that those whom you love and admire never really die:


They live on in your heart forever.


Rest in peace, Tuffie.

My condolences to Tuff's family and friends.

Goodbye Bob, I'll see you on the other side.


Norm

Tuffie, May peace be with you.

I am sending my heartfelt condolances and I would like to offer this poem for Tuffie's friends and family. I believe it has a comforting message and I like the sentiment. I hope Tuffie would like it too.

At My Grave

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow
I am the diamond glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you wake in the morning hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry
I am not there, I did not die.

By: Mary E. Frye (1932)

Farewell, friend. There are many tears for you today, including mine. Though those that you touched in this life with your friendship are deeply saddened, we can draw comfort in knowing that you aren't suffering anymore, and in the hope that you are in a better place.

I was lucky enough to talk to Tuff/Bob a couple of times while I was in the hospital back in April, and he had no small part in lifting my spirits when they were at a very low point. Thank you, Tuffie, you were a great man. You will be missed.

"when i must leave you for a little while
please do not grieve and shed wild tears
and hug your sorrow to you through the years
but start out bravely with a gallant smile;
and for my sake and in my name
live on and do all things the same,
feed not your loneliness on empty days,
but fill each waking hour in useful ways,
reach out your hand in comfort and in cheer
and i in turn will comfort you
and hold you near;
and never, never be afraid to die,
for i am waiting for you in the sky!"

~ unknown



TP, you were a dear friend to me on earth and you will live
on in heaven and in my heart forever. my condolences to
the Lindsey family, may you find comfort in your faith.

God bless.

Thats really sad. My thoughts and prayers are with all.

What a shock! I haven't been here in a while and missed out on the other thread about Tuff.

He truely thought of others, even when he was hurting himself. Last winter, I got email from him while he was in the hospital. He saw that I had posted something about my Dad's health troubles and expressed his concern.

What a friend he was to everybody here!

My sympathy and condolences. Vale Tuff

---

Paul D

Author and Perfomer, Nashville, before the Big Fight

http://home.houston.rr.com/ropera/bob.wma

"Big Hug, Bob" (that's how we say 'goodbye' over the phone) I sure will miss you.

I'm truly shocked. My good old friend and fellow Old Fart. Rest in peace my good freind and be with God in peace.

Patty,

He was a dear friend to all of us. No matter what he was going through, he always extended his hand in friendship to others.

To you, your family, DM, and Tuff's army of friends, know that he will never be forgotten.

Steve

I'm not good with words, specially when a friends passes away.

Tuff will be missed, and I hope he's better where ever he is now. Though I did not know him as well as everyone else, he was very close to my heart.

He will be missed.

I listened to your song Ropera,and even though men dont cry,their eyes sure leak alot.
Tuff my pal,I will miss you so much.
Thanks for all you gave,never asking for anything in return.
Rest in peace my friend,we shall meet again.
My sincere condolences to his family.

Good-bye, my friend Tuff.

Rest in peace.
----------------
Best wishes and prayers to Tuff's friends and family.

WOW! I did not know that Tuffie passed away. This is a shocker. He certainly was a good man.

Rest in Peace Tuffie!

PC Specs
Garbru

This is a sad day for all who have had contact with him.The sadness I feel must be even worse for those who were close to him personally.My condolences and sympathy to them.He will be truely missed but never forgotten!!Rest in peace Tuff.

How sad. That great cowboy has ridden off into the sunset........


God bless.

A true friend who touched all that he met.

He shall be sorely missed but we are all the better for having known him.

Rest in peace now and without pain my dear friend.

Goodbye Tuff.

Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!
Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,
And saw, within the moonlight in his room,
Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom,
An angel writing in a book of gold:-

Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,
And to the presence in the room he said,
'What writest thou?' The vision raised its head,
And with a look made of all sweet accord,
Answered, 'The names of those who love the Lord'

'And is mine one?' said Abou. 'Nay not so'
Replied the angel. Abou spoke more low,
But cheerily still; and said, 'I pray thee, then'
Write me as one who loves his fellow men'

The angel wrote, and vanished. The next night
It came again with a great wakening light,
And showed the names whom love of God had blest,
And lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest.

And so . . . Tuffie's name will lead the rest.

We'll all definitely miss him around here !
A great guy,who always wanted to selflessly help someone else. You don't find that,that much anymore.
Goodbye Friend, RIP :(

I seems just a short time ago I was talking to him on the phone, talking about nothing in particular, just talking like friends do. I told him that there was some music I had hidden on his computer, a few songs that he should listen to that might help him relax a little. I've always found them quite soothing.

Tuff will not be able to listen to them now, but maybe his granddaughter will shortly. In the meantime, maybe if we all listen for him, he might be able to hear them after all.

I see so many people here, from PCQandA and from BBT, and it makes me happy that we can all come together and say goodbye to our friend. PCQandA has lost an icon, and BBT has lost one of the greatest moderators it will ever have.

These are streams of three songs that I have chosen to remember Tuff. They remind me that much of what we do is by choice, that we should always remember our friends, especially those that have passed. And that no matter what, we are only alone if we choose to be.

I apologize for the size, but Tuff being the Old Fart he is, I wanted these to be the highest quality possible for his not-so-great hearing. You will need WMP or some other player capable of playing MP3 streams.

http://www.wsu.edu/~drevil

Edit: The lyrics, in case anybody wants them.


River of Deceit

My pain is self-chosen
At least, so The Prophet says
I could either burn
Or cut off my pride and buy some time
A head full of lies is the weight, tied to my waist

The River of Deceit pulls down, oh oh
The only direction we flow is down
Down, oh down
Down, oh down
Down, oh down
Down, oh down

My pain is self-chosen
At least I believe it to be
I could either drown
Or pull off my skin and swim to shore
Now I can grow a beautiful shell for all to see

The River of Deceit pulls down, yeah
The only direction we flow is down
Down, oh down
Down, oh down
Down, oh down
Down, oh down

The pain is self-chosen, yeah
Our pain is self-chosen

Long Gone Day

So much blood I'm starting to drown
Runs from cold to colder
Time to time the sky's come down
To help me lose my way
Tears and lies for answers
You and open veins, God knows I'm gone
Girl I just want you to
Come on down
Lord it's a storm and I'm heading to fall
These sins are mine and I've done wrong, oh babe
Come on down

Long Gone Day
Mmmm, who ever said
We wash away with the rain

See you all from time to time
Isn't it so strange
How far away we all are now
Am I the only one who remembers that summer
Oh, I remember
Everyday each time the place was saved
The music that we made
The wind has carried all of that away

Long gone day
Mmmm, who ever said
We wash away with the rain

So many tears I'm starting to drown
The rain in heaven's all come down
Silver spoons affix the crown
The luckless ones are broken
Fears and lies for answers
You and open flames
God knows I'm gone
And I just want you to
Come on down, hmmm

Lord it's a storm and I'm heading to fall
These sins are mine and I've done wrong
I want you to, oh, I just want you to
Come on down

I fear again, like then, I've lost my way
And shout to God to bring my sunny day

My condolences and prayers to Tuff's family & friends. :-(





:P Lenbea :P

We've lost a good friend today. He will be missed so very much by his family and friends. He always spoke so openly and honest. He was the Tuffest. Rest in peace dear Tuffie, you fought long & hard, but you will hurt no more.

You will certainly be missed Tuffie. Thanks for all the good times my friend.

I am sad , you will be sorely missed Tuff 'ol mate.

Thank you Patty. I guess we all knew that this was coming, but it doesn't make it hurt any less. My most heartfelt condolences to all those who were close to him,.... that's all of us.

See ya' on the other side, Tuff...



DavyWavy

Tuff's posts were always positive and encouraging. Sadly missed.

To all those here and at Bitbenders who were true friends and who did so much for him, I hope you take solace from the fact that you made his final days so much easier to bear. A true example of the good that forums like this can bring.

DM, your efforts were an inspiration.

Malcolm

We have lost a friend, an important member of our special online family. I feel honored to be part of this family. Celebrating new lives, helping each other in every conceivable way and yes mourning the passing of one of us.
I'm sure Tuffie will be at the Orlando party.
May his memory be blessed

Ethan

Very sad news, there are people around the world who'll miss Tuff.

Tuffie, you were a good man to those who knew you - I wish you well on your next journey ahead. Good bye old friend.

Tuff may God Bless and take you to his Kingdom.

TUFF my friend there are many things you taught me...A few i will allways remmember...There is no time to complain because there is allways someone that could be helped with your time instead.......caring means everything.......e-mails are important to some of us......How to correct a signature the easy way.... then theres

010011100110111101110100
0110010101110110011001010111001001111001011011110110111001100101
0110101101101110011011110111011101110011
011000100110100101101110011000010111001001111001
011101000110100001100001011011100110101101110011
0111010001101111
011110010110111101110101
01110100011010000110010101110010011001010010011101110011
0110111001101111
011100100110010101100001011100110110111101101110
0111010001101111
01100110011001010110010101101100
01101100011001010110011001110100
011011110111010101110100

and most of all...its important and good to have friends to love and be loved....goodby friend...i will miss you...God speed.

Vitalt

Sad news indeed. So long Tuff and Godspeed.....

Les

I just spent 30 minutes writing all this great stuff about Tuff, but it just doesn't matter.

He was the kindest man I knew.

I actually will always remember him.

Seeya Tuff. There is no end to things in the heart!

To Tuff,

We will dearly miss you.

With tears ... I write,

There will never be an end ...
To the precious memories of a lost friend
To the hurt, and the pain, those left behind feel
To the time it could take for that pain to heal
To the missing you, there will never be an end
... Goodbye, my friend.


Goodbye

Tuffie, I didn't know you personally, but I damn sure wish I had. You were one of the "good guys!" Hauxfan!

I did not know TUFFIE personally, but from his posts i knew that he was one of the group that makes this place so special...You will be missed dearly...My prayers go out to his Family and Friends....

I am just wondering if we can keep this docked up at the top of the forum for awhile, please?

Just a request if it can be done, I think that would be nice.

Jan

>I am just wondering if we can keep this docked up at the top
>of the forum for awhile, please?
>
>Just a request if it can be done, I think that would be nice.
>
>
>Jan


That's a nice thought, Jan. I agree.



Barb

I agree also.... Not because I don't think that everyone would be able to keep it bumped up with their condolences, but because it will give the thread an easy to find location.

Tuff was a valued forum member, and a great person. The world is a poorer place without him. At the very least, he's at peace now.

Thank you Jason. *smiles*

Barb, it only seems right, doesn't it? Tuffie was TOPS all the way!! *smiles*

Jan

>Thank you Jason. *smiles*
>
>Barb, it only seems right, doesn't it? Tuffie was TOPS all
>the way!! *smiles*
>
>Jan

Thanks for suggesting it Jan, and yes, he was TOPS all the way. And Jason, thank you for the follow-thru.




Barb

Such sad news. May he find peace on the other side.

The strength of PC Q&A is in it's Members feeling for their fellow members.
I feel saddend,and more mortal than ever, at the news of Tuffie's passing.
My prayers and condolences to his Family and many friends
Ellergreen

I've considered what to say for two days and all I can really express is "Rest in Peace, Tuff". Perhaps we'll meet at another place.

I was away for the weekend and am so saddened to read about Tuffie this morning. He will truly be missed and hopefully his family will find some comfort in knowing what many friends he had and what a remarkable man he was. God Bless, Ivajig

I never realized what this forum (and the members of it) meant to me until now. When I read the news I couldn't help it and cried. All the members here mean something to one another and it truly is "a family". Tuff will be truly missed by us all and my heart goes out to his family and friends.

"Pray for Me" by Michael W. Smith

Here is where the road divides
Here is where we realize
The sculpting of the Father's great design
Thru' time you've been a friend to me
But time is now the enemy
I wish we didn't have to say goodbye
But I know the road He chose for me
Is not the road he chose for you
So as we chase the dreams we're after

Chorus:

Pray for me and I'll pray for you
Pray that we will keep the common ground
Won't you pray for me and I'll pray for you
And one day love will bring us back around again

Painted on our tapestry
We see the way it has to be
Weaving thru' the laughter and the tears
But love will be the tie that binds us
To the time we leave behind us
Memories will be our souvenirs
And I know that thru' it all
The hardest part of love is letting go
But there's a greater love that holds us

Chorus

http://www.members.shaw.ca/jrhutchings/index.htm

Just returned from a week's vacation in San Francisco to be greeted by this terrible piece of news. He shall be greatly missed. My condolences to his wife and family. :-( :-(

Good bye old friend............


Russ

Well, I'm sure Tuff was in Heaven a half an hour before the devil knew he was dead.

May the Good Lord Bless.
May the Good Lord give us strenght.

Tuff's gentle, supportive sprit was always an inspiration to me. His 12 Step program has a slogan which is...Pass It On. The biggest tribute we can give to Tuff is to emulate that same gentle, supportive and always selfless spirit. He'd love to see us all move towards that a bit more.
Miss ya my friend. Thank you for gracing us!

JHC!!!

You do a format...

Tuffie...

I, don't know what to say. This, is the first time I have been confronted with losing, a friend, this way. What does one do now?

Neither of us were much in the praying department, perhaps I'll just tip one back for the guy.

Will think of you each and every time I drop by here.

Rest in peace mate.



My Main Rig

Valhalla

Rest in peace, Tuff. I really didn't know you but what I knew of you I liked. You will be greatly missed.

I seldom venture into the OT Lounge and what sad news tonight when I straggled by. I knew Tuff was in trouble but he fought back so many times before I just "knew" he'd do it again.

I'm sure gonna' miss him.

I'll bet Tuff knew every word to this tune, and sung it often. Damn I'm gonna miss him. Why Me
Kris Kristofferson
Written by Kris Kristofferson
Published by Resaca Music

Why me Lord, what have I ever done
To deserve even one
Of the pleasures I've known
Tell me Lord, what did I ever do
That was worth loving you
Or the kindness you've shown.

Lord help me Jesus, I've wasted it so
Help me Jesus I know what I am
Now that I know that I've need you so
Help me Jesus, my soul's in your hand.

Tell me Lord, if you think there's a way
I can try to repay
All I've taken from you
Maybe Lord, I can show someone else
What I've been through myself
On my way back to you.

Lord help me Jesus, I've wasted it so
Help me Jesus I know what I am
Now that I know that I've need you so
Help me Jesus, my soul's in your hand.


WALDO

Very sad news. I had a feeling something was up.
I came here and now I know what it was.
My condolences to his family.
He's home now.

Goodbye Tuff,

Rest in Peace. I will miss you.

I couldn't believe this when i just read it. I have been absent for quite some time due to work and too many projects going on, but this just shocked me. He helped me so much in so many ways just by reading his posts and listening to him, and I'm sure he will continue helping and supporting people no matter where he is.
Sincere condolences to the family.

You can, if you haven't already go to the very top of this page and click on Goodbye Tuff, we'll miss you.

I just dropped in the Off topic and I must say, this is sad.

My condolences to Tuff's loved ones.

I didn`t see the news about Tuff until after I just made a post a minute ago.

Tuff was a gentleman and never had a bad word to say about anyone.
Even me.


God Bless you Tuff,

May your kind wink light up heaven,


Joe

I just saw the sad news too. I didn't know Tuff well but from his post he always seamed like a great guy. He will be greatly missed.

really sorry to hear that. he will be remembered fondly. i hope his positive and friendly spirit will live on in our forum.

It's comforting to know that he took his laptop and some other goodies with him. Thanks, DM, from everyone.

They say that you can judge a man by the number of friends that he has. Judging by how many friends Tuff had, he must have been a great man. Although I did not know him, his passing has saddened me. My deepest sympathy to all of those who knew him and were his friend and also to his family.

I do believe though, that he is still with us. This is measured in many ways. Look at all of these wonderfull memories that each of you are expressing, this shows that he touched many hearts. The heart never forgets.

Take care Tuff, rest in peace.

Wendy