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About Lugnut -- Patrick Malone

Many of us have come to know Patrick Malone (Lugnut) as a friendly, helpful, knowledgeable and kind individual. He is a frequent and enthusiastic contributor to our analog discussion forum. He has initiated only 17 threads, but responded to 559 threads. I would guess that many, if not most, of us can recall a time when Pat replied with helpful advice to a question we posted or helped us track down a rare recording. I have come to love Pat as a friend, and to respect him as a man, and I suspect many of you share those feelings.

Today I write to share difficult news with you. Pat has been diagnosed with an aggressive stomach cancer. It has yet to be determined whether surgery will even be worth it. If surgery is performed, most or all of the stomach will be removed, and Pat would face a difficult and long post-op period in the hospital. The medical course is still uncertain, but will be determined soon. Whatever is decided, it will not be easy or pleasant.

Something may be planned in the future to assist the family. For now, Pat could use some of the friendship he so often and willingly showed us. You can email Pat at: lugnut50@msn.com. You can also mail cards, letters ... or whatever. You may email me for Pat's mailing address. My email is: pfrumkin1@comcast.net.

I hope to spend a few days with Pat in Idaho or Nebraska (from which he hails) soon. Between this news, my legal work, getting ready for family arriving for the holidays, Audio Intelligent, and trying to make plans to visit Pat, my head is spinning. If you email me and I don't respond, please understand that I am not ignoring you, but rather simply do not have time to reply.

Pat may or may not have time to respond to posts here, to emails, or to cards mailed to him. But he has asked me to convey to each and every one of you that he has cherished your friendship, your comradery, and sharing our common hobby on this great website.

As we prepare for our holiday season celebrations, and look forward to -- as we should -- enjoying this time of year, I ask that you keep Pat and his family in mind ... and softly offer up, in quiet moments in the still of night and early morning, prayers for Pat and his family. God bless.

Warmest regards to all,
Paul Frumkin
paul_frumkin
boa2's avatar
boa2
1,551 posts
 
Alex, you've done more than you'll ever know to affect Pat's life. He couldn't stop talking about the CD player you sent to them, and how it ignited his interest in digital. We listened to it for a couple of hours on the day I arrived. You are such a caring person, and it really comes through here.

Nate, I don't know what to say. You are a bright light in my world.

With this incredibly powerful conversation, Pat and Barb have given us all the powerful gift of community and friendship. Out of the blue, I received an e-mail last night from an Audiogon member who has been very close to Pat through this ordeal. He just wanted to be sure that I was not too pained by what is happening. I was stunned by his concern. I believe that this gracious honoring of humanity is exactly what Pat had hoped to bring to this community. Clearly, he has succeeded.
zaikesman
3,017 posts
 
Wow Howard...BTW, that reminds me that I never remembered to ask Pat what was the result of hooking up that external DAC, if he did. Anyway, I stand in awe of the guys like you (and Paul, and Doug); of the group that assembled with Pat at Albert's place; of the Audiogon member who sends Pat medicine; and I'm sure many others - including everyone that cultivated a telephone relationship with "ol' Lugnut" - who went the extra mile of personally reaching out past the self-protective distance of the Internet to make an acquaintance in the flesh or by voice, with all the attendant emotional risk that entails, when you knew it would be taken from you before long. It's people like you who're really the caring ones, the ones with guts and a commitment translated into action. You're all loving people and role models for this community.

And - as if we needed any further evidence of it other than the words he has written here - Pat demonstrated he is truly a Wise Man (which I'm sure he'd deny :-) when he opened his heart to the whole crazy lot of us, rather than confine himself to the private and familiar, as I'd guess many of us might be inclined to do if we ever found ourselves in a similar circumstance. I suppose that, with his example for inspiration and guidance, someday there could be another thread on Audiogon not unlike this one, but I could never imagine anyone else pulling it off as naturally well as Patrick has done. Just so there's no mistake about it, it hasn't been his disease or his situation; it's been him, as our leader and teacher, who has made real and made worthwhile this special gathering - a testament to his character and his influence, which, as so many have declared, will endure inside us all.
boa2's avatar
boa2
1,551 posts
 
...spoken like poetry, Alex.
lugnut
1,190 posts
 
Hi again everyone - Just a quick note about Pat. These last few days have been very challenging. The pain medication was changed last night which has helped with the side effects but he needs higher doses to help with the pain. We visited with a chaplan and social worker this morning. The nurse is on her way now and a hospital bed is arriving this afternoon. It won't be long now that Pat will lay down for the last time. And no doubt he just smoked this last cigarette but the kisses on the forehead are continuous.
Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts today. God blesses us all. Until next time audiogon friends. Love - Barb
wc65mustang
524 posts
 
Barb and Pat,
Next Wednesday will be the 10th anniversary of my wife's passing. Both of you are in my thoughts. I wish you peace.
Bill
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