Messages of Condolence for Bandecoot's Family

[Cu Mhorrigan]

My thoughts and prayers are with Bandecoot's family...

[Jawa Man]

I always looked forward to talking to Andrew in the Theologyweb chat. We would always talk about history into the early morning (for America, anyway). We might have even played Battlefield 1942 online together, but from some reason the game wouldn't let us connect. He knew me as bogbrush because I used to have long hair and he was convinced I wore my pants too low. I keep praying God brings him to heaven. He was a great guy.

Matt
Albany, New York

[brother vinny]

I miss him terribly.

[luv1another]

what can I say?
reading through the posts already here brought back the flood of tears. Andrew I wont call him bandecoot he already told me off for that a few weeks ago when he rang...I remember him saying "Kaz your a friend your allowed to call me andrew"
anyway andrew was someone I am going to miss heaps I remember the last paltalk he started talking about how I killed a kangaroo with a stick after he had told me he wouldnt for at least 2 weeks if I came to paltalk. I remember him telling me about how kara had been to a tupper ware party and got a rolling mat thing for free but he was still using the one he bought through me because I had taken the time to buy it and send it and stuff.
I loved his jokes and how he made aussie sheilas out to be these tough creatures that american guys shouldnt tangle with
I liked the email jokes he forwarded occasionally and how much he cared for people here at tweb...if he hadnt seen someone for a while he would ask about them. It was a priveledge to know Andrew for the last 2 or 3 years and even tho I will miss him lots I am glad I got the chance to know him and talk to him.

kara his freaks will miss him
I am sad I am too far away to be able to get to his funeral I would have liked to have been there.
(((((((Kara)))))))))

Love Kaz (western Australia)

[Telleriab2]

To Andrew's family:


I am glad that I was able to have contact with such a fellow as he. He was a truly erudite man who had the perfect combination to provide remarks that were both jovial and stinging. A man with Andrew's intelligence and his somewhat critical outlook of the world around him is truly hard to find. In a way, he reminded me of my father, just a bit. It hurt me to hear of Andrew's passing for it felt as if I had lost some aspect of my own father all over again.

The way he and I made some contact was actually through his critical teasing. I have a taste of music that he deemed as "garbage." It always brought a smile to my face whenever he would bring up the topic in PalTalk or simply through a random post in a thread. I am saddened because Andrew once expressed his desire to hear what my voice sounded like. I sadly never did speak to him via PalTalk, and I now wish that I had. I am still going through the odd transition of knowing that his screenname will not appear on Tweb any longer.

I just would like to let you know that things will be hard at first, but they will get better. I know this from some personal experience. It is hard to comprehend how all of this happened. You might feel anguish, anger, happiness, sorrow, joy and perhaps even a sense of peace over the loss. It is important to keep perspective in mind, to just remember to take one day at a time.

Andrew's presence will be greatly missed to us all here on TheologyWeb. I shall never forget him.

With My Condolences,
Barbara (Telleriab2) Miami, FL, USA

[SteveF]

Andrew was well liked and respected by people around the world. I believe that the best anyone can do with their life is to leave the world a slightly better place than it was when they arrived. He achieved this comfortably.

My sincerest condolences and best wishes,

Steve, London, UK.

[sylas]

When something like this happens it is a shock, and we often think first of lost opportunities; and what we could have done.

But let's also think of what did happen, spontaneouly, while Andrew was active in the group. He was elected as the alumnus just last month. Many of us did get the chance to interact with him. His impact here is a testimony to how much people had taken the opportunity even before any of us knew it had such limited availability. And Andrew knew this also; he often spoke with affection -- and with some biting humour as well; this is bandecoot we're talking about after all! -- of the people he knew through this on-line community.

For myself, I'm glad I arranged to meet up with Andrew in person. After I left Brisbane it became a normal part of occasional return visits that I'd give Bandecoot a buzz and see if we could meet up for pool, and beer, and steak. And many of you have done this also; taking the opportunity to meet up on paltalk, or with posts here, and so on.

I trust it is the same with those who knew him best. I only met Kara the once; and that briefly. But I certainly heard about her whenever we met. So even although there are always lost opportunities; there are also opportunities that were taken. And I'm sure Kara had those. I hope the memory will, in time, be gladness and peace, alongside the sorrow.

With concern and sympathy -- Chris Ho-Stuart (aka "Sylas")

[SpinyNorman]

There is a scene in the Monty Python film The Life of Brian that always remimded me of Bandecoot.

In the scene Jesus is giving the Sermon on the mount. The camera starts on Jesus giving the sermon as quoted in the bible. As He preaches, the camera pans away. It sweeps over a multitude listening to the words of Jesus. It comes to rest on a small group just on the outskirts. They are so far away Jesus is a tiny figure, his words almost unintelligable.

The group then begins arguing over the hard to hear words from Jesus, making such mistakes as turning "Blessed are the peacemakers" into "Blessed are the cheesemakers". The argument becomes heated with one man, played by the brilliant Eric Idle, beginning to insult others in the group in his frustration, telling them to listen up because there may be a bit about "Blessed are the Big Noses".

It is a funny scene that reminds me of our dear friend Bandecoot. The man was a combination of intelligence and quick wit. That wit was oft loosened on those he lost patience with for one reason or another. The insult was often quick and quite humorous. Where as Eric Idle quipped about "Blessed are the Big Noses", Bande's quip would have been more like "Blessed are the Gimboids". He would give you your chance to speak, but if you crossed that gimboid line, he would let you know.

I was surprised at how deeply Andrew's passing has effected me. He is a man I never met face to face, yet the sound of his voice ringing forth with acerbic wit will always ring in my ears, especially on the nights we gather in Pal Talk.

Bandecoot...I will remember you always with a smile. I now own a copy of the Oxford. I never finished it. You answered my questions when I had them. I guess I will have to finish it on my own now, but I thank you for making me aware of it. You will be missed here at Tweb. Thank you for brightening our world in your own unique way.

I know you would laugh to be reminded that we will now need another "token" athiest in pal talk. You would laugh. And in remmebering you, so should we. I think that is what you would have wanted.

Rest in Peace.

You Smeghead.

Brian Delaware, USA
(Spiny)

[Jade]

Bande was one of a kind. I look forward to hearing him talk in PalTalk: He had such a quick wit about him.

I know just as he is missed in our circle, even more so in your circle in real life. My thoughts and prayers go out to you in your time of sorrow. May you be comforted in your grief.

--Talitha AKA Darth Jade
Oklahoma, USA

[Abigail]

Sincere condolences to all Bandecoot's family. Rest in peace Bandecoot lad...Tweb will certainly miss your energy.

Abigail
Surrey, UK

[JillPole]

To Andrew's Family:

I hope it is an encouragement and comfort for you to see how we were all impacted by him. For me personally, he was a sort of mentor. He was one of the few I trusted to give an intelligent, truthful answer to my questions. And, he was always patient with my ignorance, telling me often that it was his duty as an educator to help me in these matters. He was a friend I wish I knew better. I hope that I am not over stepping my bounds by saying his loss is always on my mind. I wish that there were something more I could do for you during this time. But, all I can offer are my prayers and thoughts, in hope that you may be consoled.

God bless you and take care of you,

-Jill

[semmie]

may you find comfort in this difficult time, and know that bande was loved and cherished. you're in our thoughts; you're in our prayers.

sarah
michigan, usa

[Pitchforkpat]

To Andrew’s family:

When I first started on Tweb, Andrew took the time to send a personal email giving me some tips about how things work here. I thought that was so nice. Ever since then, I always felt comforted by his presence. He can’t be replaced.

He was a thoughtful, caring, and very intelligent person, and that’s just about the highest praise you can give someone.

[Ryokan]

Andrew was one of the nicest, funnest, and kindest guys I've ever met on the internet. You were lucky to know him in person, and we are all praying for you. Robert

[C. D. Ward]

The World Wide Web is an amazing phenomena. Through it you get to meet and interact with hundreds of people from all around the world in a manner impossible before its invention. Truly an amazing opportunity to get to know individuals from all sorts of different cultures and walks of life.

But there's sort of a downside to this as well. You're also indelibly affected by these people in so many ways. Many of them to the point where their loss impacts you deeply. So it is here at TheologyWeb with our dear friend Andrew. He has left an impression on the hearts and minds of hundreds of people all around the world; an impression that cannot be erased even by his death.

Two families grieve for him, both his family in "real life" and the virtual family here at TWeb, but two families will also celebrate his life and carry on his memory. He will be missed, but he will also be remembered.

Thank you, Bandecoot, for sharing yourself with us while you were here. To Kara and his RL family: you are in our thoughts and prayers...