His name was Scott Lowery, and he was my friend

[WilliamPitt]

I just got off the telephone with Scott's mother. She is understandably distraught, but confirms this terrible news.

I met Scott here online way back in 2001. The way we met was typical of the man he was. I had been posting here for a few months, and Scott wrote to ask me a favor. He told me that he was just coming out from a long struggle with alcoholism and was getting his life together. He wanted to become a writer, or at least do some writing for the cause. He asked me to check the posts he made, to see if his writing was clear, and to see if I had any suggestions. He didn't need my help, but the sweetness and determination to better himself is emblematic of the man I knew.

I can think of few people who have had to walk a tougher road than Scott did. He had the bottle problem and beat it. He had injuries to his body and overcame them. The sensitivity in his soul made the world a bruising place for him, but he battled through it. When he joined the Dean campaign and became a valued member of that cause way back in the early days, he was so happy and proud and thrilled.

He was with us for the first DU Gathering in Philadelphia, and made it a hilarious experience. He was a valued employee of truthout for a time, responsible for the management of our fundraisers. Before that, he helped me do research for articles and wanted no payment other than his name as a credit; if you go look up my articles from 2003, you'll find his name there. When I came to his town on my book tour, he and his mother had me for dinner and treated me like a king...not because I was special, but because that is how they lived their lives, in kindness and warmth.

I am unable to express how wounding the news of his death was.

His name was Scott Lowery, and he was 37 years old. He stood up for Howard Dean. He was my friend and colleague. He has been one of the best DU ever had. His greatest desire was to expose the right-wing fundamentalist fake Christians for what they are. Today, he stands righteously before his God, and knows now what I could have told him yesterday - that he was a better man than I or anyone else. He has earned his rest, and your prayers, and your thoughts.

[wicket]

1. Amen

:cry:

[Swede]

22. RIP Scott.

His caring will be missed.

[papau]

60. Amen rest in peace

May God bless and keep Scot and give him peace

[democracyindanger]

2. kick

[proud patriot]

3. I can't stop crying

he taught me so much.

[shance]

51. ***hugs to you***

so sorry.....

[rbnyc]

97. me too

I wish we could all be together. I keep saying that, but I really need to see, and touch and hug and cry with my DU friends, especially those of us who were close to Kheph. We need to have regional memorials or something. Also, we should start a fund in his name and make sure his good work goes on.

[bo44]

129. Here's a big shoulder

[proud patriot]

156. Thanks and hugs back

:hug: :cry: still just shocked

[VolcanoJen]

207. I just learned the news, and I can't stop crying either.

:hug: Trish :hug:

I am absolutely heartbroken, and in shock.

Rest in peace, my sweet friend Scott.

:-(

[Zomby Woof]

4. May he be at peace

I am sorry for this loss. No doubt the lives he touched are all the richer for his presence. That was a great tribute.

ZW

[Arkana]

5. Rest in peace, Scott.

All of us at DU will miss you.

[hippiechick]

6. I will miss my "lil' bro"

It is truly a sad day.


:(

[Voltaire]

65. To Scott Lowrey

A friend. A warrior. A Patriot. A Hoosier. A Deaniac. An inspiration to keep up the fight against what ain't right.

I shall miss him a lot. Fair winds and following seas Scott.

Voltaire

[SOteric]

7. Oh geeze, Will. I'm so sorry for your loss, a loss for us all really

but I have some inkling of how very dear Scott was to you.

:hug:

[Taverner]

So Mote It Be

:cry:

[Solly Mack]

8. Thank you, Will

I was concerned about you as well. I knew you and Scott were friends.

(((((Will)))))

[supernova]

9. What a wonderful tribute to him, Will

I hope he finds the peace he so deperatetely sought in this lifetime.

[newsguyatl]

10. thank you will

you're an absolute master with conveying your thoughts with words.

a touching post indeed. :cry:

thanks for calling his mother for us all.

and i'm sorry for YOUR loss as well.

[VelmaD]

11. Oh Will...

as soon as I figured out this wasn't a sad sick joke I thought about you. I know you and kef were friends and I'm sorry for your loss. I had some really fun exchanges with kef in the Lounge. He made me laugh out loud on way more than one occasion. Made me cry too with the story of the things he was struggling with in life. He was an inspiration and a good guy to know even just in passing.

Big hugs to you and his friends and family. :hug:

[ET Awful]

12. RIP Scott, you will be missed.

My best to his mother. My thoughts are definitely with her.

[Skittles]

13. I am so sorry William

so sorry. OMG we will miss Kef like crazy; he was a DU staple. What can we do for his mom?

[mike_c]

14. thank you Will-- that's as fitting a eulogy as Khep would ever...

...have wanted. We are all deeply saddened by his loss. My heart goes out to his family and friends.

[KittyWampus]

15. To A Beacon Of Light Who Proceeds Us Into The Light

[DELUSIONAL]

16. Beautiful eulogy -- thank you for letting us know more about him.

He will be missed -- sorely missed.

Amazing how his spirit came through -- just through his words.

Life is short -- live it to the fullest -- this was the advice of one of the Tsunami victims who helped to translate for the recovery teams.

[DemExpat]

17. He was such a part of DU for me...

:cry:

DemEx

[Lydia Leftcoast]

18. Thank you for that lovely tribute, Will

:cry:

[HEyHEY]

19. Oh my...I didn't know his real name

I had to ask someone who it was... that's awful.

We'll miss you friend.

[Clark2008]

28. What was his name here?

I hate to post just to ask this, but I don't know and I really want to put his board name with his real name.

My condolences, as well.

[WilliamPitt]

35. Khephra

[GreenPartyVoter]

103. Oh no! I am so sorry! :^(

[calimary]

135. Damn. Go with God, Scott.

Will, you write wonderfully, but frankly, this was the kind of thing I never wanted to have to read.

And he was only 37?!?!?!? When he posted, he always seemed to have the wisdom of a lot more years in his eloquence. I am so sorry.

[SarahB]

20. I'm sorry for you as well.

Immediately, I thought about you because I knew the two of you worked together and were close. I never met the man, but it sounds like he was overcoming a lot of hurdles and really trying to make his life a better one while doing something for humanity (our country, the world, etc.) in the process.

He was a good man. He will be missed. :hug:

[roguevalley]

21. this is crushing news. Thanks for the words. I feel so much for his mom

[PartyPooper]

23. Thanks for a wonderful post for a great man. He will be missed by all

of us at DU!

:cry:

[villager]

24. thanks for this eulogy, Will...

Kef was one of the mainstays. Always enjoyed swapping posts with him about current comics, sf writers, etc.

Dammit all.

[thoughtanarchist]

25. .

:-(

[Pooka Fey]

26. What a beautiful tribute. My prayers go out to him. n/t

[skylarmae]

27. so young to go - sorry for your loss -

sorry for DU's loss....

[miss_kitty]

29. My condolences to Khephra's family and friends

I will miss his posts, his avatar and him.

[Flaxbee]

30. Thank you for the post, WillPitt

Scott/Keph will be missed. I offer my condolences to his mother, to you, and to all of his close friends from DU. Very very sad.

[CO Liberal]

31. Scott Helped Make The World a Better Place

I never had the pleasure of meeting him personally, but through our postings here at DU I considered him a friend.

Farewell, Scott. We'll meet again.

Wayne
(CO Liberal)

[patdem]

32. I believe there are more keyboards wet with tears tonight than at any

time in history...Scott was truly a WONDERFUL HUMAN BEING!

[Wonk]

33. khephra? I'm so sorry to hear that, seriously. I'll miss him :-(

He was one of my favorite moderators here, ever.

R.I.P Scott ;(

[WhoDoYouTrust]

34. Thanks, Will

Keph was one of a kind. He will be greatly missed!

Judy

[bleever]

36. In peace and in love, not just rest but joy.

[buddhamama]

37. Thank you for the beautiful tribute, Mr. Pitt

My heart goes out to Mamma Kef, his family and you, his friend. :hug:

I am deeply saddened. It won't be the same here without Kef. :cry:

Peace to Kef.

[Blue_Roses]

38. I remember you

talking about your friendship with him and you were one of the first people who came to mind. :hug:

Even though I never met him, I felt as though I knew him well. His gentle nature spoke through his posts. He will be sorely missed.

[shance]

39. Thank you WP***

Scott sounded like a wonderful individual.

He obviously touched many hearts.

[no name no slogan]

40. Thank you for the beautiful eulogy Will

Keph was a giant among DU posters. Even if I didn't agree with him, he was thoughtful and insightful, and never took or made it personal. Rest in peace, Scott.

;(

[flpoljunkie]

41. Thank you, Will for sharing this very moving tribute to Khephra.

My heartfelt condolences to his mother. So sad, he died so young.

[Lostnote03]

42. If You Believe As I, his energy is still with us!!!!!....RIP brother!!!

[Kurovski]

43. A beautiful soul has inspired a beautiful tribute. n/t

[NightTrain]

44. My god, he was younger than I am.

Damn.... :(

[Career Prole]

45. Oh...my...God.

:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

Enjoy your rest, brother...but I know you'll mention to God there are some knuckleheads playing fast and loose with his rulebook down here.

:toast: To Scott...

[Ilsa]

46. My sincerest condolences to you and Scott's mother.

I have a thread or two of his bookmarked. What a remarkable person.

Wonderful memorial; I don't know how you could concentrate on words with so much emotional rushing through you right now, Will.

I am so saddened by this news. May he rest in peace.

[bicentennial_baby]

47. I'm crying for Scott

My buddy that I never got to meet in person, my fellow horror fan. I'll miss you Scott...

[HeeBGBz]

48. I'm sorry to hear of Scott's passing

That was a beautifully written eulogy, William Pitt.

[flamingyouth]

I am proud to have counted Scott among my friends

He was my birthday-mate, my ancient Egypt-loving buddy and just an all-around great guy. I can't rehash what you've said here, Will.

Scott, I hope and pray that you can feel the love and appreciation coming toward you from all of your beloved friends on DU.

I will miss you very, very much.

With love from your friend Lisa

[Swede]

49. He sounds like a fine man.

Worthy of our care. If you miss him I will too.

[NVMojo]

50. Peace to you and his family ....

truly sad ...

[bunny planet]

52. I'm pretty new here so don't know if I ever read his posts.

What a great tribute. I'm sorry for your loss Will, and for everyone else here that knew him too.

[smbolisnch]

53. What a sad day...

That was a beautiful tribute..... Thanks for letting us know a little more about him. :hug:

[bobbieinok]

54. thanks for giving those of us who only knew him at DU some information

about him and his life.

I always looked for his posts. He often found material to post that no one else had come upon.

Kephra will be missed by many.

[CherokeeDem]

55. Thank You, Will

As always, your words bring comfort, whether fighting the evil facing us or comforting the community of DU in the lost of one of it's own.

[rasputin1952]

56. Thanks Will...Keph will be sorely missed...

He was a fine man, and your tribute to him was wonderful.

My eyes will dry...but my soul will always weep...One of the finer lights of humanity has been extinguished...O8)...:cry:

[DoveTurnedHawk]

57. Thank You For This, Will

I am crying. You are a good man, and a great friend to Scott.

:cry:

DTH

[0007]

58. My deepest condolences' - I will miss you!

RIP

[PDittie]

59. No finer tribute than to have Will Pitt write a eulogy

like that for you.

My condolences to all of you for your loss.

[indigobusiness]

61. He was certainly special...

and I will surely miss him.

Sad, sad day.

[medeak]

62. am not a crier......but tears are streaming

Thanks Will..what a heartfelt tribute.

This is why I love DU...the family and humanity.

[Trajan]

63. This says so much about a man ....

The decency with which they consider the least amongst themselves .... the depth of character and heart that isnt a show, but a life-long creed .... You speak deservedly well of a good one, Will ....

Khephra taught all of us .... someway or another : We will carry a part of him with us forever ....

Fare thee well, Life Sailor, fare thee well ....

[WI_DEM]

64. What a terrible loss

He was one of Howard's best supporters on DU--the type of supporter any candidate would be proud to have. Furthermore his support for Dean, while strongly felt, was done in a gentlemanly way, he didn't resort to ripping the other candidates or demeaning their supporters to make his points. He was what was/is best of DU. My thoughts are with his family at this terrible time.

[understandinglife]

66. “Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night”

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

--Dylan Thomas

-------------------------
No one has ever said it better and repeating it is the only offering I have for you Will and for Scott's family than for you to know that the moment I began reading your post, these are the only words that went racing through my mind.....

Peace.

[PDittie]

74. May I add Mary Frye's "I Did Not Die"

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 glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am a gentle autumn's rain.

When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft star that shines at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry:
I am not there. I did not die.

[Imperialism Inc.]

237. And this from Leaves of Grass

I have said that the soul is not more than the body,
And I have said that the body is not more than the soul,
And nothing, not God, is greater to one than one`s self is,
And whoever walks a furlong without sympathy walks to his own
funeral drest in his shroud,
And I or you pocketless of a dime may purchase the pick of the earth,
And to glance with an eye or show a bean in its pod confounds the
learning of all times,
And there is no trade or employment but the young man following it
may become a hero,
And there is no object so soft but it makes a hub for the wheel`d universe,
And I say to any man or woman, Let your soul stand cool and composed
before a million universes.

And I say to mankind, Be not curious about God,
For I who am curious about each am not curious about God,
(No array of terms can say how much I am at peace about God and
about death.)

I hear and behold God in every object, yet understand God not in the least,
Nor do I understand who there can be more wonderful than myself.

Why should I wish to see God better than this day?
I see something of God each hour of the twenty-four, and each moment then,
In the faces of men and women I see God, and in my own face in the glass,
I find letters from God dropt in the street, and every one is sign`d
by God`s name,
And I leave them where they are, for I know that wheresoe`er I go,
Others will punctually come for ever and ever.


And as to you Death, and you bitter hug of mortality, it is idle to
try to alarm me.

To his work without flinching the accoucheur comes,
I see the elder-hand pressing receiving supporting,
I recline by the sills of the exquisite flexible doors,
And mark the outlet, and mark the relief and escape.

And as to you Corpse I think you are good manure, but that does not
offend me,
I smell the white roses sweet-scented and growing,
I reach to the leafy lips, I reach to the polish`d breasts of melons.

And as to you Life I reckon you are the leavings of many deaths,
(No doubt I have died myself ten thousand times before.)

I hear you whispering there O stars of heaven,
O suns--O grass of graves--O perpetual transfers and promotions,
If you do not say any thing how can I say any thing?

Of the turbid pool that lies in the autumn forest,
Of the moon that descends the steeps of the soughing twilight,
Toss, sparkles of day and dusk--toss on the black stems that decay
in the muck,
Toss to the moaning gibberish of the dry limbs.

I ascend from the moon, I ascend from the night,
I perceive that the ghastly glimmer is noonday sunbeams reflected,
And debouch to the steady and central from the offspring great or small.

There is that in me--I do not know what it is--but I know it is in me.

Wrench`d and sweaty--calm and cool then my body becomes,
I sleep--I sleep long.

I do not know it--it is without name--it is a word unsaid,
It is not in any dictionary, utterance, symbol.

Something it swings on more than the earth I swing on,
To it the creation is the friend whose embracing awakes me.

Perhaps I might tell more. Outlines! I plead for my brothers and sisters.

Do you see O my brothers and sisters?
It is not chaos or death--it is form, union, plan--it is eternal
life--it is Happiness.

The past and present wilt--I have fill`d them, emptied them.
And proceed to fill my next fold of the future.

Listener up there! what have you to confide to me?
Look in my face while I snuff the sidle of evening,
(Talk honestly, no one else hears you, and I stay only a minute longer.)

Do I contradict myself?
Very well then I contradict myself,
(I am large, I contain multitudes.)

I concentrate toward them that are nigh, I wait on the door-slab.

Who has done his day`s work? who will soonest be through with his supper?
Who wishes to walk with me?

Will you speak before I am gone? will you prove already too late?

The spotted hawk swoops by and accuses me, he complains of my gab
and my loitering.

I too am not a bit tamed, I too am untranslatable,
I sound my barbaric yaws over the roofs of the world.

The last scud of day holds back for me,
It flings my likeness after the rest and true as any on the shadow`d wilds,
It coaxes me to the vapor and the dusk.

I depart as air, I shake my white locks at the runaway sun,
I effuse my flesh in eddies, and drift it in lacy jags.

I bequeath myself to the dirt to grow from the grass I love,
If you want me again look for me under your boot-soles.

You will hardly know who I am or what I mean,
But I shall be good health to you nevertheless,
And filter and fibre your blood.

Failing to fetch me at first keep encouraged,
Missing me one place search another,
I stop somewhere waiting for you.

Walt Whitman

[qanda]

67. A very sad day for DU

I cannot stop crying because I don't think it will ever be the same again. RIP Scott Lowery.

[BamaBecky]

68. So sad, perhaps he can look over "all" as a guardian angel....

[Gloria]

69. A moment of silence for Scott....

We will miss him terribly.

[Demonaut]

70. Khephra touched us all, as a distant member of DU I still feel his loss

as something akin to family, thank you Will for the eulogy, I knew him only from his posts and they were always worth reading. I feel for your loss due to the friendship you shared...:(

[Amaya]

71. Scott

was always very kind to me. Scott was always just very kind, period. He was a good man. He will be dearly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Scott, rest in peace.

I know he was your friend, Will and I'm terribly sorry.

[peacefreak]

72. Blessings for Scott & his family.

I always knew his posts would be filled with honesty & kindness. His loss is all of ours. May you find peace. Your friends will surely miss you. P.

[KeepHopeAlive]

73. That was touching, Will

He was a beautiful soul and will be deeply missed. This is such sad news.

[underpants]

75. A SAILOR'S PRAYER

A SAILOR'S PRAYER


Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray the Lord my soul to keep
Grant no other sailor take
My shoes and socks before I wake


Lord grant me in my slumber
And keep my hammock on it's number
May no clews or lashings break
And let me down before I wake


Keep me safely in thy sight
And grant no fire drill tonight
And in the morning let me wake
Breathing scents of sirloin steaks


God protect me in my dreams
And make this better than it seems
Grant that time may swiftly fly
When myself shall rest on high


In a snowy feather bed
Where I long to rest my head
Far away from all these scenes
From the smell of halfdone beans


Take me back into the land
Where they don't scrub down with sand
Where no demon typhoon blows'
Where women wash the clothes


God thou knowest all my woes
Feed me in my dying throes
Take me back I promise then
Never to leave home again


http://www.hmsnewfoundland.org.uk/sailorsprayer.htm

I am not a sailor but I have sailed. I think that those who live by the earth and nature know more than we do. Bless you.

[riverwalker]

76. a terrible loss

so sorry.

[Generic Other]

77. He was the kind of American we can't afford to lose

I will remember him for fighting against Homeland Security legislation, leading the lobbying of Byrd on DU.

I will remember him for posting news in LBN. 1000s and 1000s of posts.

I will remember how much he loved reading good sci-fi and all the discussions in the lounge.

I will remember those late night confessionals.

Thanks for the eulogy, Will. I am so saddened by this news.

[brook]

78. I am stunned...

and saddened.

When I first logged on to DU, it was him and you, Will,who made me think I might to be a part of this community. I had been at TOL - and thought I'd never find another cyber "home" when it went down. But then I read his posts - and yours- and say to myself "yeah, this must be the place."

Scott Lowrey. Can you hear me? Godspeed, dearheart.

[rbnyc]

79. I wish we could all be together.

I just got off the phone with Lynne.

Thanks for writing this beautiful tribute.

Scott was my friend too. He was a dear, wonderful friend who enriched my life and the lives of all who knew him.

I'll especially never forget what we all shared in that crazy DC hotel.

We should all be together now.

[MissB]

80. Oh dear.

What a truly lovely tribute, Will.

I had no idea Khephra had died. I cannot believe it.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

81. That's beautiful, Will.

I'm so sorry.

My experiences with him were few compared to most here. Yet, he still had managed to touch my heart during my brief time here. This is such a heartbreaking loss.

[frictionlessO]

82. I can only hope to be more like him, Will.

Blessings and warm precious thoughts to you Will.
Your pain and sincerity is apparent as well as your love for your friend.

[Schema Thing]

83. Sorry for your loss

Scott's mom, and Will, and anyone else who knew him. Truly shocking.

[BigMcLargehuge]

84. Rest in Peace Scott

[nostamj]

85. beautiful.... (and a short poem)

I would never suggest that Scott and I were 'friends' - even by DU or internet standards. but, being here as long as I've been... of course I read many many posts.

I think you know how it is... certain names become trusted and are almost always worth reading.

I read of his struggles and successes. we even occasionally exchanged a post or two about sci-fi or comics or something.

given my own personal issues and struggles, his comments often resonated deeply with me...whether to frighten or challenge.

I was thrilled (and a bit jealous too) of the successes he had with the campaign and truthout.

and inspired too. make no mistake.

a very specific sorrow in the midst of such great, global sorrow.

and, I must say, I'm as moved by the responses on this and other thread as I am by this sad, sad news.

and, again, beautiful words WillPitt and thank you for them. when this was first posted I hoped that you would know and confirm or dispute this news.

nost

tsunami/scott (khephra)

We are shocked by the suddenness.

Can I boil today's rice
With more joy,
Respecting that it may be
The last bowl?

Most of us will not be warned
Before we are swept out
Of this life.

Will we hold to hope
And spit the bitter out?

That's the daily test.

Most of us will not be warned.
We should not be shocked by the suddenness.

Warning or challenge,
We should not be shocked.

January 8, 2005

[greatauntoftriplets]

86. Khephra was one of a kind...

He is probably the first DU member who stood out to me. I first lurked in February of 2001. Joined in October. I didn't have a home computer at the time and knew that if I joined at work too soon, I'd have a problem. So I resisted the urge for months and then checked only briefly.

But I bought a computer just three years ago this month. Never regretted it, and Kheph was one of the reasons why.

Just tried Andy Stephenson on his cell phone to talk with him about this. No answer, but he will be saddened as well.

[Pithlet]

111. Me, too.

I joined in September 2001 after lurking for awhile. I remember the first time he responded to a post of mine, as a newbie. I remember when he hit 10,000 posts, the first DUer to do so. His posts in LBN; he was always on top of the news. But, most of all, I remember how much his presenece here was such a big part of DU, from the beginning. DU truly will never be the same. :cry:

[Susang]

138. I just got home

I can't believe it. I don't know what to think or feel yet, I'm in shock.

[greatauntoftriplets]

188. Same here...I am in shock.

We celebrated my mother's 93rd birthday yesterday...the entire family was here. After everyone left, I came up to the computer for a while and learned of the news. So damn sad. What a loss to DU.

[bear425]

87. This is very sad news...

Will, I'm so sorry for our loss. Scott, was an institution here at DU. A consistent and trustworthy source of information. But more than that, he was a friend...

He will be greatly missed.

[johnnie]

88. Wonderful words to your friend's memory Will

I am sorry to hear about this and the loss of your friend.

[Pale Blue Dot]

89. Oh no.

I had no idea. RIP Scott. :cry:

[LynneSin]

90. I'm at a loss for words

For some reason this song is running in my head. Not like it was something between us, just listening to it and thinking of Scott

If my words did glow with the gold of sunshine
And my tunes were played on the harp unstrung,
Would you hear my voice come thru the music,
Would you hold it near as it were your own?

It’s a hand-me-down, the thoughts are broken,
Perhaps they’re better left unsung.
I don’t know, don’t really care
Let there be songs to fill the air.

Ripple in still water,
When there is no pebble tossed,
Nor wind to blow.

Reach out your hand if your cup be empty,
If your cup is full may it be again,
Let it be known there is a fountain,
That was not made by the hands of men.

There is a road, no simple highway,
Between the dawn and the dark of night,
And if you go no one may follow,
That path is for your steps alone.

Ripple in still water,
When there is no pebble tossed,
Nor wind to blow.

But if you fall you fall alone,
If you should stand then who’s to guide you?
If I knew the way I would take you home.

La dee da da da, la da da da da, da da da, da da, da da da da da
La da da da, la da da, da da, la da da da, la da, da da.

[realFedUp]

91. a sad loss

for all of us who shared this place with him :-(

[Wapsie B]

92. Scott,

you made DU a better place by your presence. Rest in peace.

[Liberty Belle]

93. Will, I am so sorry to hear this. We must all carry the torch,

and continue the work that Scott wanted done with renewed fervor.


Keep the faith--

[livinginphotographs]

94. My condolences.

And a salute to a fellow Deaniac.

I'm never sure what to say, since I'm not religious, but I hope he's in a better place. This is such a shock....

[jus_the_facts]

95. Oh Dear God....

....what happened to him? :cry: RIP Keph...you'll be missed here beyond more than mere words can express... :cry: :cry: :cry:

[mzmolly]

96. I am so sorry.

What a terrible loss.

:cry:

[housewolf]

98. This is the saddest thing...

I did not know him but still am crying along with everyone else. I am sad for his mother, for Will and for all of us. Blessings to him and his family.

[ClassWarrior]

99. My deepest condolences, Will.

I knew of him, but I sadly did not know him. God's blessings on his soul.

Scott, I will Never Give Up.

[Crewleader]

100. I am upset to hear...

We all love Kef and we will miss him so. My heart goes out to his mother, her pain is deep losing her son. It isn't suppose to be that way a child before a parent. I hope she has someone there to help her, your words were comforting William.



I am sadden for your great loss and ours. :cry:

[JI7]

101. this is hard to believe

didn't he just post on here like today or yesterday ?

i didn't know him personally or have many conversations even on DU with him. but he had become like a part of DU just from all the different articles he would post , especially in the LBN forum which kept us informed.

i'm going to miss seeing that and his name.

thanks for letting us know a bit about him.

i'm sorry for his mother.

[hippiechick]

102. Kef Meets Howard Dean - A Photo

Probably his proudest moment.
Scott and I were organizers for Hoosiers for Dean, and Scott put in an Herculean effort to make Dr Dean feel welcome when he was the guest speaker for the May 2003 Jefferson Jackson Dinner.

Scott was about bursting at the seams with well-earned pride at the end of that evening.

O8)


http://www.iuploads.com>


:hippie:

[JI7]

107. thanks for posting the pic

it's nice that he really found something he believed in and enjoyed after he was able to get through the problems he had.

[Cassandra]

120. He used to say he looked like Uncle Fester...

I'll miss his posts, his passion, his eye winking at me when it was his sig line. He was part of the bedrock of this place and will be much missed. Thank you those of you who knew him personally for your remembrances of someone we knew only online. Light to his mom.

[henslee]

196. Eye contact is so "real" in that pic. I always imagined Keph as a gangly

college kid. Funny about impressions. I probably based this on his enthusiasm for these obscure graphic novels/manga he once recommended to me. Seemed like quite an eclectic guy. He took the time to PM back and forth with me at a timewhen I knew no one here -- made me feel very welcome. You and Will were lucky to know him. What else can you tell us about him.

[ikojo]

104. Although I never met him....I too will miss him

RIP Scott.

Another good soul gone too soon.

:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:



:hug: :hug: :hug: to his family and all of DUs mourners.

[Red_Viking]

105. Your words are beautiful

And, made me cry. A lovely and fitting tribute to your friendship with an extraordinary person.

I'm stunned, to say the least. Like many here, I only knew Scott through posts on the board, but I always read and respected what he had to say. He will be missed.

We are all connected, and you will see Scott again. As long as we remember the people we love, they never really leave us.

Peace to you, to Scott, and to all those who love him.

RV

[SheepyMcSheepster]

106. If i had a favorite poster it was Kephra

this is such horrible news. he seemed like such a wonderful and thoughtful person.

very sad.

RIP Scott you touched me through you words here. you will always be remembered and admired.

my condolonces to moma Kephra. i am very sorry.

[Pithlet]

108. I'm crying

I can't believe it. I'm still in shock. Poor MammaKeph. She will be in my thoughts.

[bigwillq]

109. What a terrible loss

I am very sorry to hear of this tragic news.
Although I read many of his posts, it saddens me that I didn't get to know Scott better.

My thoughts and prayers go out to Scott's family.

R.I.P. Scott.:cry:

[PopSixSquish]

110. Oh My Dear God

I have just read the posts regarding what happened and am sitting here with tears streaming down my face.

A good man has been lost today.

[IronLionZion]

112. RIP Scott

I didn't know him well but always enjoyed his discussions here. He seemed like a good guy and very committed to the cause. IIRC I think he moderated LBN on Sep. 11 2001. Does anyone know how he died?

Rest in peace Scott aka Kephra

[Bombero1956]

134. a few quotes for Kephra and his grieving DU friends

I count myself as well. Rest in peace my friend.

Henri Nouwen:

When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives means the most us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving much advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a gentle and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares.

Algernon Black:

The love that once was born can not die
For it has become part of us, of our life,
Woven into the very texture of our being.
Each of us would wish to leave some part of ourselves,
So here and now we bear witness to the one we knew in life,
Who now in death bequeaths a subtle part, precious and beloved,
Which will be with us in truth and beauty,
In dignity and courage and love
To the end of our days.

[hlthe2b]

113. Ohh, how wrenching... may you be at peace our dear Khephra/Scott

I've been away so much from DU in recent days, having started a new job. To see tis as one of the first posts.... Please guide us now, Khephra. I refuse to believe we will not have your spirit with us. RIP, my dear dear colleague.

[Lex]

114. I just

can't get my mind around this.

Thank you for penning that lovely tribute, Will.

Khephra, you will be missed . . . so missed by us all.

[Bonobo]

115. Rest in peace, Scott Lowery.

You will be remembered and others will continue the work that was so important to you...and we will win.

My condolences to his family, his friends and everyone who's life he touched (and I believe it was many, many, many).

[BattyDem]

116. What a beautiful tribute, Will

I'm so sorry to hear about this. My deepest condolences to you, and of course, to Scott's family.

[CBHagman]

117. I am so sorry.

May your heart find peace, and may Scott's family be comforted in this tragedy.

I'd like to think that Scott is pulling for all of us in the next life.

[BrklynLiberal]

118. I never had the honor to meet Scott, but from the tributes being paid

to him, he was obviously a man of honor and intelligence, love and peace, who will be terribly missed by all his friends here at DU, and I am very saddened at the thought that I will never have the chance to meet him.
Rest in Peace Scott.

[LeftPeopleFinishFirst]

119. I'm sorry I never knew him

Scott (or as I knew him, Kef) gave everything to this message board. It's unbelievable that he is gone. As I type this, I am shaking and crying over somebody I didn't even know on a personal level.

You have to wonder how many people were touched by Kef in his years here on DU. When I first came here in 2001, he welcomed me. He's PMd me about random things in the past. And although we never conversed outside of DU, he always amazed me with his intelligence and keen sense of the world. There are people who will devote 110% of themself to a cause. Kef was one of those people. He worked tirelessly in LBN everyday to expose the Bush junta, and worked for us too.

Thank you Kef, we will certainly miss you. I am sorry that I never knew you better, and nothing can change that - but know that you have impacted my life in a positive way.

Peace be the journey! <3

Maggie

[Jax]

121. Find that peace my friend

Khephra, you richly deserve it.

We are all better Scott, we are ALL better. We give better.

It was you.

Alyce

[curse10]

122. this is such a shock

kef was one of the good guys. During that horrible time on DU (primaries) he was the one Dean supporter I always respected (and never once put on ignore). He was one of the old-timers here. I remember when I first came to DU (way back in 2001- before even you Will) and Kef was an institution, even then.

Kef will be missed.

[BikeWriter]

123. I'm lighting two candles. One is for everyone in DU who knew him. n/t

[gardenista]

124. Oh my God, I'm so sorry to hear this.

May he rest in peace.

[Catherine Vincent]

125. Although we've never met, you will still be missed on the boards, Scott.

Please rest in peace. Just today I attended a funeral of a long time co-worker that passed on New Year's day and three weeks ago, a 19 year old friend of my family passed away the second night after giving birth to a beautiful girl. May they all rest in peace.

[AgadorSparticus]

126. My deepest condolences. So sad.....

[salin]

Stunned.

Just this morning, I had noticed how Keph had been bringing us much more lbn news these days - and as I had that random thought (looking at the lbn forum) - I had a very warm memory of an afternoon spent with Scott and a few other hoosier Duers. When I first started posting in DU - in the early days of 2002 - there were only a few people regularly (and quickly) posting the news as it broke. One was Keph. As I was doing heavy writing gigs at the time, I justified quick news fixes as part of the thinking process... and I, following my fellow Hoosier's lead, started bringing news to the forum. My first interactions with Keph were when I would post a news item (back when the forum's didn't move too fast) that he saw was going to sink - that he thought was important. He would send me a note and tell me where he would move the item (e.g., to the economics forum) where it might be read longer by folks who were interested in the general topic. Those initial interchanges led to a mutual respect and understanding about our proclivities towards following stories and desiring true discussion about the significance of those stories. When I finally got to meet him - it was a true pleasure.

We didn't talk that frequently "off-line..." But we did have several conversations - through which I became aware of many of the personal obstacles and challenges (health and other) that he stood down and faced off. His strength and his passions always shined through.

Scott, you are already and will remained missed. Peace be with you - you deserve to be embraced in peace and love. I will always be glad that we shared time together - and everytime I see my login name, I will try to think of you and honor you... as you shared with me the first time that we spoke that my login could fit you as well as I (it is my first, middle and last initial - followed by my homestate.... and it is also his first, middle and last initial - followed by his homestate.

Peace be with you Scott.

[WildClarySage]

127. Love, hugs, prayers and good vibes

to Keph's friends and family. He will certainly be missed here. This is a loss to everyone at DU who posted with him.

[Feathered Fish]

128. Thanks for that

It is always nice to put a personality to a username. He will be missed greatly around here. :grouphug:

[yardwork]

130. I am so very very sorry. I will miss him.

[CalProf]

131. Farewell

Nunc et eternam, frater
Ave atque vale

Requiesat in pace, Kephra

[auntAgonist]

132. I WISH I would have known Him.

May he rest eternally in peace.

my condolences to all he knew .. and to those who never had the pleasure.


kesha.

[go west young man]

133. A poem for a brave DUer.

By the by, by the moon they passed on a stone road going nowhere.
Into light steps a mood, a shadow broken by a moonbeam.

Keep peace inside and never forget that we shared a moment.
May life be kind. All thats left are remnants of each other.

To the moon men have sailed thier great ships spiral through the darkness.
Whispered lines left behind "see you on the backside of tomorrow".

Keep peace inside and never forget that we shared a moment.
May life be kind. The twists and turns will all bring us together.

Lines are drawn, a face is formed, searching for a clue within the body.
Identify with the norm and lose your true self in the masses.

Keep peace inside and never forget that we shared a moment.
May life be kind. Faraway a fading fleeting moment.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

136. Rest in Peace

[sandnsea]

137. I'm just shocked

Life is so precious and fragile. Too much grief these last days. Peace and blessings to his dear mother and all his friends.

[Bat Boy]

139. I feel like I've been punched in the chest....

Bless you, my friend.

[evolvenow]

140. Sending you Love, Will. Take extra good care, maybe he will be an Angel

on your shoulder. A force of good for the world, he will continue to be.:grouphug:

[tokenlib]

141. A DU "hero" has fallen...

Thank you Will, for the heartfelt posting. To you Will and all of you who were closest to Scott--my thoughts and prayers are with you. I was fortunate to meet Khephra along with Will, Matcom, Lynne and so many others that first anti-Iraq war rally in DC. Kheph was welcoming, friendly, and drew you in to where you wanted to be around him. It felt good to be with him--to talk with him--he made me smile--and I didn't even know the guy. I'd always hoped to see him again--perhaps at a Funday in Saginaw. This is so sad..

For all the knowledge he spread in his LBN posts I was so greatful. Mostly I've always lurked on DU--rarely having time to follow threads or to respond to things as far as I'd like. Kheph kept us informed as much as anyone else here This news of his passing really hurts ... and my prayers are with his mother and all of you who were so close to him... I'm just so sorry.

[ZenLefty]

142. He was one of the best.

He joined DU about the same time I did. I can't believe he's gone already. It's too soon.

The work he did here was nothing short of exemplary. He made a difference in our lives, our cause, and our hearts. He'll be missed. I will be keeping him in my thoughts.

[kodi]

143. a good man sorely missed.

loved him.

[saracat]

144. What a beautiful eulogy. Thank you Will.

May Scott be blessed with peace and joy!

[Left Is Write]

145. I'm very sorry.

[sonias]

146. Khephra, we miss you already

Will I am so sad and heartbroken over this. Scott was a big B5 fan and that's how I got to know him here. His posts were extensive, his passion for knowledge immense. I always read his posts in LBN. I will miss him dearly. Will you take your time and grieve too. We all need to.

This one is for Scott/Khephra because he would have wanted us to on on fighting.

"It was the end of the Earth year 2260, and the war had paused, suddenly and unexpectedly.
All around us, it was as if the universe were holding its breath . . . waiting.
All of life can be broken down into moments of transition or moments of revelation. This had the feeling of both.
G'Quon wrote, There is a greater darkness than the one we fight. It is the darkness of the soul that has lost its way.
The war we fight is not against powers and principalities – it is against chaos and despair. Greater than the death of flesh is the death of hope, the death of dreams. Against this peril we can never surrender.
The future is all around us, waiting in moments of transition, to be born in moments of revelation.
No one knows the shape of that future, or where it will take us. We know only that it is always born in pain."
-------------------

Find your way into the next plane, dear Scott and may you find happiness and peace.
:cry:

Love to you my DU brother
Sonia

[fujiyama]

147. This is so terrible

He was such an important part of DU. I wish I had got to know him better and I didn't interact too much with him, but I do remember him being a decent person. Him and his family are in my thoughts. I express my condolonces.

"The journey doesn't end here. There's another path, one that we all must take. The gray rain-curtain of this world rolls back, and it will change to silver glass, and then you see White shores and beyond them, a far green country under a swift sunrise.''

[rppper]

148. rest in peace keph.........

his lbn posts have been my only link to cspan over the past few months, and early on, way back in 01, we ha some heart to hearts about addiction and recovery...the 12 steps...that sort of thing. he was an inspirational a person as i have ever met. his pain is past now, his soul at peace. i am sad he is no longer with us, but happy he has found tranquility now. i will choose the latter when he comes to mind. god bless you keph...see you on the other side.

[Kool Kitty]

149. I don't know what to say except

that I will keep his family in my prayers and I will miss his greatness of spirit and his knowledge and his humor.

[umtalal]

150. It is always not right when a good man dies. Rest in peace Mr. Lawery.n/t

[kskiska]

151. Shocking news.

I remember him from the early days of DU. He laughed at how people thought he was a woman, judging from his insightful and sensitive posts. He attributed this to having been raised in a household of women. We'd e-mail sporadically. He'd overcome many problems and still struggled with some. I hope he's at peace.

[psychopomp]

152. RIP Scott Lowery

Long live the struggle!

[Katarina]

153. Thank you Will

I loved his posts. I'll truly miss him. :cry:

[opiate69]

154. I, like all of us here, am simply stunned and deeply saddened.

Rest in Peace, brother.

[Kenneth ken]

155. .

my condolences to all who knew and loved him. :hug:

I didn't know him except for his posts, but on that basis, I believe you were all blessed to have him in your lives, to whatever extent.

Rest In Peace Scott.

[JohnKleeb]

157. Khep is dead?

thats so damn sad.

[jonnyblitz]

158. i was wonderin where u were...

:hi:

[JohnKleeb]

160. Yeah Jonny I didn't sleep at all last night and fell asleep during

the games and just woke up. I can't believe it man that he's gone. Only 37, sigh poor guy.

[RevolutionaryActs]

159. This is so horrible.

Good thoughts to his family and friends.

Its so unbelievable..... :cry:

[EstimatedProphet]

161. Khephra will be missed

He was one of my favorite posters. He was very inciteful and witty too.
Can I ask, what happened? How did he die?

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

162. What a loss.

Kephra's posts were strong, anchoring fibers in the tapestry of DU. It is hard to know just how much poorer we will be to no longer have them each day.

We are such a family here. Births, deaths, marraiges, divorces, illnesses, healing, failure and success. We share it all amongst us.

Kephra's last post to me is his passing. That is the message he left. To me, at least.

I shall miss seeing that Egyptian eye. Yes, I shall.

[mitchum]

163. Rest In Peace, Scott

[underseasurveyor]

164. Khephra Scott, We Love you

O8)
An amazing soul. How blessed we all are on some level (some luckier than others) to have had our lives cross paths with such a profoundly amazing man by the name of Khephra.

You're spirit here on earth is missed
Forever Hugs Kheph

[koneko]

165. Deepest condolences

In this time of mourning, best wishes go out to Scott, his family, his friends and his acquaintances.

I wanted to reserve my 200th post for something special. While losing a fellow DUer is not special, Scott brought so much to so many people who call DU a second home. Even as a relative newbie, I appreciate all that he did for everyone here.

The grieving process is long, but I hope that you & all of those who mourn his passing will be filled with memories of the good times with Scott.

Blessings to you, Scott! I hope that you are in a better place!

[Dr Fate]

166. Keph is DA MAN!!!!

I great guy- best damn comic-book guru on this here board as well!!

Love ya buddy!!!

Say hello to all the great ones for me!!!

[laheina]

167. Keph was the first DUer...

...whose posts I looked for and looked forward to reading. I'll miss him.

[Pachamama]

168. I don't know what to say....I'm stunned at reading this post & the news...

To see that this happened to a man so young....to think that this person is someone I never met in person or even knew his name, yet exchanged posts with or came to "expect" to see each day posting away and helping the good fight against the crazed world we find ourselves in, and to now know that person is gone.

I'm so sad for his family's loss and this is a big loss in the fight here on DU....If all DUers could have been so dedicated and with passion and love for his country...

How did he die? Is there any more information?

Maybe he died of a broken heart....there are so many of those around here these days...

Rest in peace brother Scott....Namaste.... :hug:

[LibDemAlways]

169. Beautiful sentiments, Will.

Scott touched the lives of everyone in the DU family. We have suffered a great loss today.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

170. You don't have to express how wounding his death was...we got it

Laz called me tonight and told me...I kept hoping I'd get home..check DU and it would all be a big mistake... I am just crushed

[Rhiannon12866]

171. Will, what a lovely tribute

This has come as a terrible shock to all of us who are used to seeing Khephra on DU, whether we knew him, personally, or not. But your kind and affectionate words did the man proud. I was aware of your history with him on DU and with Truthout, and know how tough this is for you, as well. Thank you for letting us know about this. My thoughts are with him, his incomparable mom, and you, as well.
:grouphug:

Godspeed, Khephra! We will miss you. DU, and the world that you monitored for us, will never be the same.;(

[Name removed]

172. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

173. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Tweed]

176. RIP Scott

Such a shame, such a shame.

[Piperay]

174. Thank you Will ...

I never met Kef but as someone who was here almost from the begining I feel I knew him from the board. Kep was one of the most beloved members of DU and his loss is going to be felt deeply. :cry:

[northamericancitizen]

179. "He has earned his rest"

I did not know Scott, but reading from all the posts I understand that he touched many. A good way to honor him would be to keep on going no matter what life is throwing at us.

P.S. Thank you Will for sharing your thoughts with us.


Lise

[Az]

175. Let us keep his name and ideas alive in our hearts and minds

Words fail.

[JohnOneillsMemory]

177. Thank you, Scott, for touching so many here.

Sorry I missed you. I obviously missed someone with lots of humanity.

Amazingly, people can be touched by people they've never seen or met.
This might be what saves us all. It must be.

My condolences to family and friends for the loss...

[flygal]

178. beautifully said

He sounds like a guy I would want to have a coffee with and listen to his wisdom of the world. I wish him peace where he is now.

[Guaranteed]

180. We love you, Kheph.

You're a DU legend, forever.

Bye, Khephra.

I'm so fucking sad. !!!

[Beer Snob-50]

181. a beautiful tribute

may he rest in peace.

[SoCalDem]

182. What a sad day... I have been offline for a few days

and expected to check in and catch up.. This is just too sad. Condolences to Scott's Mom and family.. I too am the mother of a "Scott"..

37 is way too young, and I will miss him. I never "met" him in person, but he was the kind of guy that you did not HAVE to meet in person, to know :cry:

[annabanana]

183. Thank you for the eulogy

You have helped those here who knew him well to remember why he will be missed. My sincerest condolences.
Ann Kemler

[tkmorris]

184. Good Night Kheph

Words..........cannot suffice. We are all poorer this day.

[roenyc]

185. my deepest sympathy to you all

I am too new to know Scott but i can feel all the pain in here and know Scott was someone special who will be missed.

[matcom]

186. DAMN!

just got the news.

F*CKING DAMN!

[mithnanthy]

187. Thank you, Will

You were a good friend and I'm sorry for your loss too.

[Paradise]

189. Khephra, you have my prayers and thoughts. So sad :(

:cry:

[BlueEyedSon]

190. Goodbye Kephra

May your next journey be easier than the one here.

To Will and Kef's family and friends.... my thoughts are with you.

[newyawker99]

191. Rest in peace my friend. I will always remember our

time together as moderators and all the help
you gave to me. There would be no LBN without
you. You did the most to make that forum what
it is today.

I will always remember meeting you
in Philadelphia.
I will remember your kindness and generosity
to all who needed it.

I also extend my condolences to Mrs Lowery.
My thoughts go to you at this time. Be
comforted by the fact that you son was
loved and respected by all members of
this site.

[Iverson]

192. RIP, gentle soul

Deepest sympathy to Scott's mother and all those who loved him.
I will remember Kephra as friendly, thoughtful, and a gentle soul.

[Philly Buster]

193. Heartfelt sympathy

This is my first post. I lurked here since the '02 elections.

I've learned a lot and really enjoy the forum and was shocked to hear about Scott's death. It motivated me to finally register to express my sympathy to his family and friends.

[MichaelHarris]

194. Words of Robert Service

There's a race of men that don't fit in,
A race that can't stay still;
So they break the hearts of kith and kin,
And they roam the world at will.
They range the field and they rove the flood,
And they climb the mountain's crest;
Theirs is the curse of the gypsy blood,
And they don't know how to rest.

If they just went straight they might go far;
They are strong and brave and true;
But they're always tired of the things that are,
And they want the strange and new.
They say: "Could I find my proper groove,
What a deep mark I would make!"
So they chop and change, and each fresh move
Is only a fresh mistake.

And each forgets, as he strips and runs
With a brilliant, fitful pace,
It's the steady, quiet, plodding ones
Who win in the lifelong race.
And each forgets that his youth has fled,
Forgets that his prime is past,
Till he stands one day, with a hope that's dead,
In the glare of the truth at last.
Robert Service

R.I.P brother

[Misunderestimator]

195. Thanks for sharing your experience....

This is just heartbreaking.

[GetTheRightVote]

197. my prays are with his family and loved ones.

Amen.

[Cuban_Liberal]

198. Eternal rest grant unto him, O' Lord.

In his flesh, may he see God.

:cry:

[Midlodemocrat]

216. And may perpetual light shine upon him.

:cry:

[SmokingJacket]

199. So, so, so terribly sad.

I didn't know him, but he was clearly a one-of-a-kind guy.

My thoughts are with his friends and family.

His work will be carried on.

[Dudley_DUright]

200. In great sadness, I am reminded of the epitaph for Christopher

Wren at London's St. Paul Cathedral (which he designed)

If you seek a monument, look around you.

http://www.britainexpress.com/History/christopher_wren.htm

Due to Scott's great importance to those of us at DU, I keep thinking

If you seek a monument, look around DU.

Scott positively touched almost all here at DU. RIP Scott Lowery

[spanone]

201. A mere 37 years old. Khephra will be greatly missed.

sad, sad.

[enigmatic]

202. Wow, I'm sorry to hear this...

we all lost one of the good ones; RIP, my friend.

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

203. I only just found out

Neither Magistrate nor I were on the forum last night, and he's just left for the day and won't be back till late this evening. I'm sure he'll post a tribute but on his behalf I would like Scott's mother to know how highly we regarded her son.

Khephra's ID was one of the few I sought out: if he posted it and I saw it, I read it, because it was bound to be informative and insightful. He fought on the right side of the right fight. And he had excellent taste.

I am deeply, deeply saddened. That's about all I can say.

Rest in peace, dear Kephra. I will miss you.

[ulysses]

204. beautiful, Will.

Thank you.

[kohodog]

205. A sad, sad day indeed. So sad that only the good die young.

[catmandu57]

206. I reember his posting when he got the truthout position

He was so happy, and I was so happy for him. He was a pathfinder, our scout, calling our attention to things in the news that we may have missed.

Kef was there to shine the light, telling us where we needed to focus, he'll be sorely missed.

[Historic NY]

208. Sorry to hear of your loss and the loss to the DU Community....

Since I joined my first stop had always been the LBN section. I often wondered how he could get the stuff on-line so fast. I will miss him.

[Maeve]

209. Amen, Will and angels sing him on his way

Deep peace of the running wave to him
Deep peace of the flowing air to him
Deep peace of the quiet earth to him
Deep peace of the shining stars to him
Deep peace of the Lord of peace to him

[Spiffarino]

210. I remember one moment all too well

Khephra posted an LBN thread a few months back. I was new to the place and didn't understand the rules well. He posted snippets from an article and, instead of following the link like I should have, I went off about the post being misleading like I thought I was Captain Truth or something.

Long-time DUers jumped all over me. I was scorched. What was Scott's reaction? He said he was just following the rules about not going over 4 paragraphs. He didn't flame me. He didn't get bent out of shape. He simply let a st00pid n00b know how it works around here. I sent an apology via email. I hope he got it.

I didn't know Scott personally, but it was plain to see that he was a sensitive, caring soul. My heart goes out to his mother, his family, and his friends. They must be devastated.

Khephra, thanks for teaching me. The one time we met online, you had every right to be a jerk, but instead you were kind. I'll always remember you fondly. When you see God, ask him if he wouldn't mind sending a few more just like you.

Rest well, Scott.

[wndycty]

211. RIP in Keph

:kick:

[Ripley]

212. Thanks Will for letting us get to know him better...

I always appreciated his posts and remember him being a fellow Dean-supporter. I'm sorry he had to struggle in life so much...I can relate.

RIP Scott.

[Cooley Hurd]

213. I'm very sad about this...

And I'm very angry - certainly not at Kef, but angry in the sense that someone like Kef is gone, but so many right-wing pieces of garbage get to live on. I know life is never fair, but I always believed in Karma. And Kef's passing defies that belief.

Let's fight on, in the spirit of Khephra. I know I'll think of him often, and miss him.:cry:

[theycanbiteme]

214. Extremely sorry to hear...

[Fla Dem]

215. A tribute to Scott Lowery - To Those I Love

To Those I Love

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.

I'd come, I'd come, could I but find a way!
But would not tears and grief be barriers?

And when you hear a song or see a bird
I loved, please do not let the thought of me
Be sad...For I am loving you just as
I always have.....

You were so good to me!
There are so many things
I wanted still
To do, so many things to say to you....

Remember that I did not fear....It was
Just leaving you that was so hard to face...

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

- Isla Paschal Richardson

A true good person, gone much too soon.

:cry: :cry:

[Stephanie]

217. I'm so sorry to hear this news!

My condolences to his family and friends.

xx
S

[nini]

218. RIP Kephra

This news shocks me. Kephra was one of the first DUers I remember when I joined a few years ago. He was one of those rare souls who was respected and loved by all. His kind demeanor and passion for to make things right in the country will be missed. What a huge loss.

My deepest sympathies to his mother who is going through the worst thing imagineable as a parent and to all his friends and admirers.


:-(

[JohnLocke]

219. He's in a better world now...

Peace be with you, Scott Lowery.

"The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace."

[mzmolly]

220. .

[Cha]

221. Will, Thanks for writing this

personal appreciation for Scott.. It all really helps to get to know more about the person we loved so much online!

Sweet, Sweet, Kheph! RIP O8) :grouphug:

[Stew225]

222. What a beautiful tribute to what had to have been

a beautiful person. May he rest in peace!

[dave29]

223. oh no

[Maccagirl]

224. Is it possible to mourn for someone you never met?

I guess I just answered my own question. To Scott and all the lives he touched, may you find peace. DU will never be the same.

[Just Me]

225. He's home, now.

He is free. He is home.

He PM'd me to thank me, charactizing my recognition of him as a "kindness" when it was a JUST and well-earned acknowledgement of his commitment. He did so 24 hours before his passing.

I feel like we fail to embrace our power to touch and love, right now.

I feel,...really sad.

[Lizzie Borden]

226. In my mind Kephra was a leader here.

Some people are just outstanding and he was one. He had a gentle soul which just by it's existence, made DU and by extention, the world, a better place. He will be missed.

[WillyT]

227. God NO !!!

I just got back from weekend travels, and I get this awful news.

Keph was such a great guy. A warm heart and a gentle soul. Man... I can't believe he's gone. Just heartbreaking.

Thanks for your piece Will, and keep in touch with his mom for us will you?

:cry:

[Jackie97]

228. My thoughts are with his family.

May people use any insight that he shared about his particular issues to help further his causes. And may he rest in peace.

[selmo7]

229. I offer

my sincerest sympathies~ So sorry for your loss.

[buff2]

230. OMG.........

I am so sorry to hear about this. My prayers and deepest sympathy go out to Scott's mother and the rest of his family and friends.May he RIP. :cry: :grouphug:

[KTM]

231. Kicked for K

What an awful feeling to realize you have a love in your heart for someone you never met, and that you never expressed it when the chance was there.

I can only hope he knows how much we loved him.

[Sleepless In NY]

232. "Of all sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these,

'what might have been'". John Greenleaf Whittier

Didn't know Keph personally, but really enjoyed his posts. Sympathies to you Will, his family & his friends.

[Crunchy Frog]

233. That was beautiful Will. Thank you.

As someone who did not know him personally, and wasn't here for the early days when this was a much smaller and more intimate place, your post helped me to put a face to him.

I wish that I had gotten to know him better. I just always kind of took his presence for granted.

In the next few days I guess I'll be spending some time looking up some of his old posts.

I'm sorry for the pain that you and the other old timers are going through. I'm glad he had you for a friend.

[XanaDUer]

234. R.I.P.

I did not know him well, but may be rest in peace.

[Hodapp]

235. Scott was my Brother

I am a stranger to your website. I disagree politically with probably 99% of the people here. But the one thing we agree on is our love of Scott. You see, Scott was my Brother.

Scott became a Freemason in 2003 and joined my Masonic Lodge. I exchanged e-mails with him before he joined, and I had the honor and pleasure of presiding over some of his degree work. Freemasons are non-sectarian in our membership requirements, and the one thing Scott enjoyed was that this big, disparate group of men, who might otherwise have been kept at a perpetual distance by their religious and political beliefs, could come together every week and just enjoy each other's company.

We discussed many things over the months - he enjoyed science fiction, and he loved to discuss philosophical and spiritual topics with Brothers (and my wife), because there was no threat, no argument. It was the calm give and take of discourse among friends who, when the evening was over, happily hugged each other and went our ways.

I remember when his basement flooded, and he called as the water was rising, hunting a pump, but still laughing about it. I remember, too, when it was clear that the Dean campaign was finished, and he called, almost in tears. It was late, and he knew I was a Bush supporter. But he was so crushed and so exhausted and so hurt that we talked into the early morning. He felt so passionately about it - it was the first campaign he had ever worked for - and he had never experienced that kind of defeat before. He was a dedicated man to have by your side.

As a brother Mason, Scott and I pledged to help each other. And so the last thing I can do for him is to stand beside him in death and perform the final services for him that our fraternity offers. I will be honored to stand with the members of his Lodge - his brethren - and discharge our final ceremony and duty on Saturday.

There is a very old ceremony for what Masons call a Lodge of Sorrows, from the mid-1800's. The ritual is no longer used in this form today. But the old words say so much about Scott:

Man judgeth not of man. He whose infinite and tender mercy passeth all comprehension, whose goodness endureth forever, has called our brother hence. Let Him judge.

In ancient Egypt no one could gain admittance to the sacred asylum of the tomb until he had passed under the most solemn judgment before a grave tribunal.

Princes and Peasants came there to be judged, escorted only by their virtues and their vices. A public accuser recounted the history of their lives, and threw the penetrating light of truth on all their actions. If it were adjudged that the dead man had led an evil life, his memory was condemned in the memory of the nation, and his body was denied the honors of the sepulcher. But Freemasonry has no such tribunal to sit in judgment upon her dead; with her, the good that her sons have done lives after them, and any evil is interred with their bones...

The good Scott has done shall indeed live after him, in the hearts of his friends, and in his words that remain. And we are all better people for knowing him, you and I, for being touched by him.

[mwdem]

236. He will so be missed by all here...

this has been a very shocking and sad unfolding of events. Kheph will be missed by all of us.