I am a regular reader of this blog, although I have not commented to postings in the past. However, I was struck by the genuine sense of loss conveyed in this post and in the previous post on Robert's death. I think it is remarkable that a group of pretty much anonymous individuals has such genuine care and respect for a cyber friend. That speaks volumes about the character of the contributors to this blog.

Thank you, Elizabeth. You brought RtSO and Robert Hammond together.

Many thanks to cousin Meg for filling in more of the details of Robert's life. When we met his companion "Book" was indeed a murder mystery (I'm afraid don't remember the title--did you make a note of it, hmpstd?)

I like Joyce W.'s suggestion and will follow up with our contribution in Robert's name.

Sweet.
Thank you Meg, EL, Lissa.

RtSO did show us sometimes that he knew his way around a computer. He suggested a web page capturing tool (SnagIt) to Owl that works really well.

Thanks, EL, for the obituary. I enjoyed reading it.

Is there a way to make a contribution online to Bea Gaddy's organization? Or even an address to mail a check?

This all proves that the tag he created for the Sandbox is accurate: The Only Blog You'll Ever Need.

thank you Robert!

It looks like the Bea Gaddy Family Center takes paypal donations. Checks can be mailed to P.O. Box 38501, Baltimore MD 21231.

Thanks for the lovely obiturary, Elizabeth and Meg. And, thank you Lissa for the payment information.

I think RtSO really stole my heart over Christmas when we were having the discussion of places to go out to eat at Christmas - which I brought up this time. But, when he had brought it up the year before (before I was a regular) he had really gotten a butt kicking. He was so funny and so gracious about pointing that out, I just knew he was a really great person. I will really miss him as I know we all will!

This baord will never be the same. Rest in Peace RSO.

Well said, EL.

Good men die, but death cannot kill their names.

Godspeed, RtSO.

That was beautiful. Thank you for bringing the man to the blog name. Rest in peace Single One.

I'm catching up from vacation and was so sad to read this. My condolences to the Sandbox, and to Robert's family and friends. His presence definitely helped turn Dining@Large into the spirited community it is today.

I haven't posted in quite awhile but am so sorry to hear of Robert's passing. His humor and quick wit here will surely be missed....

FL Rob, I couldn't find a website for the Bea Gaddy organization, but I did find a phone number (410) 563-2749 The woman who answered assured me that they would be delighted to accept memorial donations. Checks can be mailed to:

BEA GADDY FAMILY CENTER, INC.
425 N. Chester Street
Baltimore, MD 21231

Rest in peace RtSO. I have sent my donation in your name to the Bea Gaddy Center this a.m. My condolences to Meg and to all of his friends, cyber or not.

Thanks for that EL. I think it helps the closure process, especially since so many of us did not personally know him outside of the blog. And great idea for the donation Lissa and Joyce.

Yesterday after reading about his passing, I was really "off" all day and thought a lot about why. So many of us come here to kind of escape the ills and worries of daily life. Whether it is the economy, a bad day at work, an arguement with a loved one...However, with news of RtSO's death, the real world was able to permeate through the virtual walls around us. Seeing EL's post, I immediately thought to myself, "Uh, this is D@L, nothing bad can happen here". However, I also felt very touched and moved by the outpouring of emotion and support by everyone who posted. Kind of restores my faith in humanity! Godspeed RtSO.

Is there an address to where we can send condolence cards?

Thanks so much for this special tributure to my cousin Robert. When I was very small my mother was ill with polio Robert's mother (and my aunt, Dede) had both of us running around at home. Robert was 4 years my senior, and as close to me as a brother growing up, but sadly as time and families demand much of our communication became less frequent and largely relayed through my sister Meg. He had an insightful mind and a dry wit. He will be missed.

We have lost a friend that (most of us) have never met in person, but a friend the same. The Sandbox has become a family, and it hurts to lose one of us.
My condolences to Alison and Meg, and any other family members of Robert. And thanks for sending some bio information on him as well.
I will be attending the memorial service, and wearing a small Sandbox name tag in case any other Sandboxers are able to attend.
EL: thanks for posting this.

Thank you EL, Lissa and Eve for allowing us to honor Robert's memory.

Cosmo Girls, look for my name tag on the 20th.

Unfortunately, my trip back Maryland will miss the service for Robert by 24 hours. However my thoughts will be of him at 10 on Monday.

My condolences to his family and friends, cyber or otherwise.

It is truly amazing how much you can feel about someone you've never met in person.

If anyone plans a Robert memorial meet up, with some advance notice, I would like to attend.

YP, the Bea Gaddy Family Centre was Joyce's idea. Thanks for calling them, Eve. It hadn't occured to me.

I think in honor of RtSO, we should plan on something the week of the memorial service (April 20th). Maybe anyone that is interested could post here on where they live/work, so that we could find a mutually convenient location to enable the highest attendance?
I will start it off. I live in Catonsville/ work at airport.

I was away when the news of RtSO's death was first posted, so this is the first I read about it (still catching up on all the blog posts and comments I missed). I also am not a frequent contributor, but I am a loyal reader, and wanted to add my condolences to Robert's family and to EL and everyone in the Sandbox on his passing. Very sad.

I'm arriving from Kentucky Tuesday evening and will be around until the following Tuesday am. I'll be staying in Jarrettsville and will a meetup of former coworkers at the at Champions in the airport Marriot on Thursday and a party on Saturday. Other than that I'm available for Robert.

Hi Cosmos Girl, I live in Howard County/work near airport.

Friends ... one entrance to the Peace Chapel at the Cathedral of the Incarnation is on St. Paul Street, just north of University Parkway. However, there is a (free) parking lot at the Charles Street entrance near the intersection of Charles and University that serves the Cathedral and the Diocesan Offices. Access to the chapel is through the Cathedral Office wing and there is an elevator.

I am likely to be there Monday (barring unusual staff meetings) and any of you in the sandbox are welcome to come to my office on the second floor for a cup of tea before or after. I will alert our receptionist ("St.") Fran.

I mentioned the notice of RtSO's death to my wife (the Cathedral Canon!) at dinner the other night, and we immediately knew that we knew him ... from work, as it were.

MD Canon

Thanks for your post and offered hospitality. For some reason it made me realize that my presumption that the memorial was the Monday after Easter was incorrect and I will be able to attend.

Since retiring, I focus more on days of the week than dates.

I will be there, but my willingness to get together with Robert's friends at another time still stands.

My recollection from last year's efforts by Piano Rob to plan the D@L gatherings (a process akin to herding cats) is that the Sandboxers are so widely scattered that any one location is likely to be inconvenient for some. That being said, given that last year's events were at Kooper's (Fells Point) and the Owl Bar (Midtown-Belvedere), the central/downtown Baltimore area is probably best to target as a gathering venue.

Where is a place that we can go that will have parking for us suburbanites? I would rather meet uptown rather than downtown, if anyone has a suggestion...

Well, since RtSO was from Rodgers Forge, maybe we should meet up somewhere around there. Maybe Ryan's Daughter, the Irish Pub at the Belvedere (York and Northern), would work. I know there is free parking. It is uptown and fairly central to everyone.

I second the idea for Ryan's Daughter. I don't have my work schedule, so if someone wants to pick the date, let's go with that; maybe around the 21st or 22nd?

Good idea RoCK! Its even on a bus line should the ever-shy Lissa want to attend.

That's not a bust on you, Lissa. I am really shy myself.

Myself, I'd love to attend but work issues preclude me from traveling in the next few weeks. Especially since I will be changing jobs soon.

Fl Rob - changing jobs? Back to Baltimore?

Joyce,
I'd like to come back, but it doesn't seem like that is going to happen this time. I keep looking though.

Just got back from Florida with no internet access. Very very saddened by this news. He will be missed.

Don't worry, Rob, you keep looking and something will come up eventually!

Sean, I know. Really sad news to come home to!

I was out of the office last week, so this is the first that I am hearing about RtSO. My heart is heavy with the news. I also am not a frequent contributor, but I am a loyal reader. I would like to express my condolences to Robert's family and friends. Thanks EL for providing us with this information.

it nauseates me that some total creep spammed this thread!

Joyce W., if you're talking about the 7:44 AM post, I heartily agree. WARNING: The domain name in question website is based in Sydney, Australia, so the website will be pretty useless for those of us in the USA who otherwise might be interested in its alleged tax services. Moreover, I bet RtSO would find the spam to be totally tasteless.

I imagine the spammer just picked up on keywords like CPA and accounting that were in the post. Nevertheless, I agree it is quite tasteless.