I found out about his death nearly two weeks ago. A few times, I had started to blog about him and could not find the words to put down on the blank computer screen. Finally, it's time.
I had read his blog for years. I think I had been introduced to it, 10 or more years ago, through a blogging challenge. We had also become Facebook friends.
He had gone into the hospital yet again and wrote about it on his blog. He had been battling serious health issues for several years and blogged about them, one of many, many topics he blogged about.
His inventions and interests spanned (per his biography) the fields of kidney dialysis, colon electrolyte lavages, water reuse systems, and more. He was an enrolled agent and blogged about tax matters, and also was a chemical engineer, among several career changes. Self described as a polymath, I will call him one, too.
He blogged about civil rights
He wrote about anti-Semitism.
He also loved music. Here is one of his music posts. I was honored to have him read, in turn, my Monday music posts.
He loved wine. He loved art, and collected art.
He blogged about our duty to repair our world. For him, it was a religious obligation.
He never hesitated to DM me on Facebook if I made a mistake in my blog.
Through his blog, I felt like I had come to know something about him. I know few bloggers who shared as much about himself as he did. Some of his blog posts, in all honesty (the scientific ones and the tax ones) were way above my head, but I looked at them, anyway. He would have expected no less from me. His was not a light and fluffy blog. I learned from it.
Along all this, he loved his family and his children. He was so proud of them. One of the last interactions I had with Roy, in fact, was him sending me a copy of a book "One Bold Move a Day" written by one of his children. I didn't ask for it. He just did it.
Several days after he blogged about going into the hospital (for the last time, it turned out) I had a sinking feeling. I've learned never to ignore that feeling. I went online and, in mere seconds, found his obituary. It wasn't hard. Sadly, he had passed away a couple of days before I had that sinking feeling.
His earthly battles are over.
I miss his blog posts already.
Roy A. Ackerman, Ph.D., E.A. May your memory be for a blessing.
...I'm sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteGod bless all those bloggers who have inspired us in our journeys. He sounded like a wonderful man.
ReplyDeleteHow very sad. At least you got to know him via his blog. So many bloggers just kind of disappear, so it's nice that you know what happened.
ReplyDeleteInternet friendships are real friendships. I am sorry for your loss. I never read his blog, but I’m sure he was a wonderful person. May his memory be a blessing
ReplyDeleteHe sounds like a remarkable man. I have lost a lot of friends, younger and older, over the last few years.
ReplyDeleteWhat a 'one of a kind' person! I went over to his blog to get acquainted with his writing. May his soul rest in peace!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that you got a chance to know this remarkable man through blogging.
ReplyDeleteThis gentleman seems like an interesting person to learn from. My condolence.
ReplyDeleteHi - I am Roy’s son and his kids found your post. Thank you so much. I referenced how much he cherished his blog and the community he built there in his eulogy. It was an important part of his life and friends like you helped give him the strength he needed to fight for the last few years. May you be well.
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