John Herbst (5thGenDemocrat) has passed away

[MSchreader]

It's my sad responsibility to let you all know that John Herbst (aka 5thGenDemocrat) passed away late Friday night. He was 53 years old. He had went into the hospital a week ago with breathing problems; the doctors later discovered he had advanced adrenal sarcoma throughout his entire body. He had been on a ventilator and in a medically-induced coma for a time, but was taken off those Friday evening by mutual consent of himself and his immediate family. John had made it clear that he did not wish to "linger".

John was an early member of DU, and he, along with davsand and Khephra, introduced me and countless others to this forum. As his name implies, he was a lifetime supporter of the Democratic Party.

Many of you know that John organized an annual social event called Funday. In fact, he was working on Funday XVI when he entered the hospital for the last time. His partner, Polly, and John's closest friends are going to follow John's wishes and hold Funday XVI on June 12, 2010, as a tribute and memorial to him. The family will be organizing another memorial service for John later in the summer.

If anyone has any questions, they can contact me.

[Tobin S.]

1. Rest in peace, John. 53 is much too young.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. I'm really sorry to hear this.

May he rest in peace...

And may his family and loved ones find comfort in their memories...

Safe passage, John.

:hug:

Gone too soon...

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

3. My condolences.

May he rest in peace, and may his life's work continue through those who loved and respected him.

[Flaxbee]

4. oh no, I hate to hear this

It has been a wish of mine to somehow make it to one of his Fundays. 53 is way too young. Please convey my condolences to his friends and family; they and John will be in my thoughts. This is so sad.

[abq e streeter]

5. May you rest in peace, John

[auntAgonist]

6. How terribly sad. John will be missed by all who knew and

loved him. My sympathies to his family and friends.

May you rest in peace John.

aA
kesha

[Flying Dream Blues]

7. Safe passage to you, John.

And peace and healing to all who are suffering from your passing. Gone too soon, for sure. I'm really glad that Funday will continue as a tribute to him!
:hug:

[pitohui]

8. oh i am so sorry to hear this

rest in peace, 5thGenDemocrat

it's scary how many of the old guard are gone

[Skittles]

9. .

:cry:

[RFKHumphreyObama]

10. I really have no adequate words to convey how sad I am about this

I read John's posts often and was always struck by what a nice, friendly, wonderful, warm guy he was. His kindness and generosity was not only evident in the way that he wrote and in the way he treated others on this forum

His death is a tragic, tragic loss for DU. He will be sadly missed by many who were connected to him from around the nation and around the globe. He definitely had a great impact on me during his time here and my life is better for having known him

My deepest, sincerest and most heartfelt thoughts, prayers, sympathies and condolences to all those who knew and loved John. We have lost a good man:hug: :hug:

[peekaloo]

11. RIP Mr. Herbst

Sad news. Condolences to his family and friends.

:patriot:

[Bossy Monkey]

12. So, so sorry. He is already much missed.

Hope you also posted in GD for broader visibility and to allow for Greatest Page nominations.

[Blue_Tires]

13. r.i.p.

[sarge43]

14. Thank you everyone for the kind thoughts

Yeah, John was one of the good guys, very much his father's son -- kind, always there for you, a taste for snarky humor.

Say hey to Mom, Dad and Jack for me, Johnnie.

John's Auntie A.

[Binka]

24. So Sorry For Your Loss Sarge

John was such a support to me and my son Benjamin when Ben was horribly wounded in Ramadi Iraq. Such a thoughtful and kind man. I'm crying here in my office. :hug: :cry:

[sarge43]

25. Thank you, Binka

I'm touched that so many people cared for him, but then he was that kind of person.

He'd tell you not to cry, just remember the good times.

:hug:

[Call Me Wesley]

15. Safe passage, John.

May you be free from suffering. Peace and comfort to your family and friends.

[mitchum]

16. Safe passage my brother

[davsand]

17. I am sad beyond words to hear this.

My heart goes out to Polly and everyone else who knew and loved John. There are too few of the good ones out there, and we have just lost one of them. John was one of the most good hearted people I have ever met, and I always found him to be absolutely full of joy--irrespective of the shitstorm that might have been hitting in his general area. He just seemed like he had a good time with whatever he was doing.

John, I'll heft a few in your honor. You will be sorely missed.


Marty, thanks for being willing to bring us this news. I'm sure it was difficult to do.


:hug:




Laura

[supernova]

18. So sad for you and his family

I enjoyed reading his posts and following him on the forum.

:hug:

You all will be in my thoughts.

53 IS way too young.

[kevsand]

19. A couple of pix of John and Khephra from way back when

This is from (as far as I know) the very first DU meetup in December, 2001. The photo was taken in my driveway, and John is kneeling in front, with (from l to r) Khephra, Emma (forgot your DU name, sorry), me holding Material Girl, davsand, and Polly standing.



This is from FunDay 2002. That's me, davsand, and Khephra in front, with John and Polly in back.



We're gonna miss ya buddy. Polly, please know that our thoughts are with you now.

[JitterbugPerfume]

37. That picture breaks my heart

first Kef and now John! May our dear ones rest in peace

[PassingFair]

20. What a shocker! So sorry for Polly....

"Funday" was my first DU meet-up, and I met
one of my favorite DUers, Sharon RB there.

Mr. and Mrs. Grumpy and Mr. PassingFair
and I took our kids up one year. We spent
the night at a Holiday Inn nearby....

They still talk about it.

:cry:

[PVnRT]

21. I drove him and khephra to Illinois to hang out with davsand back in 2002

The mortality rate from that trip is far too high.

[davsand]

28. You know, Doc, I had that same thought.

I've always felt so very lucky to have been able to host a gathering of such amazing DUers, but I have to admit that it makes me sad beyond words that my friends are dying off. Kev made the comment today when he posted that set of photos that it was you that took that picture in our driveway. You need to stay safe--ya hear? I don't want to see anybody else leave.

We just saw Emma this last weekend in Chicago. She's practicing law up there, and I keep begging her to consider coming back "home."

Peace.


Laura

[PVnRT]

30. I took pictures?

[davsand]

31. Might have been on our camera.

That picture posted up thread of all of us out in our driveway was taken by YOU! It was "the morning after." I dunno if Kev got that off our camera or if it was a digital shot that got shared online. Someplace there are pictures of the entire crew sitting around in our family room. I remember one in particular that was of Scott while he was laughing, and there was one of John and Polly sitting at the table with Kev.




Laura

[Aristus]

22. Farewell, John, and go in peace...

Another long-time DU-er gone...

Damn...

[Lydia Leftcoast]

23. How sad

Another DU oldtimer gone.

Deepest sympathies to his family and close friends.

:cry:

[Binka]

26. Kick Because John And Family Deserve More DU Love

Make sure to send condolences to his Aunt Sarge43:hug:.

[auntAgonist]

33. agreed.

[Dappleganger]

27. What a terrific loss...

to all of his friends and family. My deepest condolences to those who knew him well.

[murielm99]

29. So sad.

Condolences to Polly and all his close friends. RIP

[nolabear]

32. I'm so sorry. Peace to John and to his loved ones. He sounds like a mensch.

[sarge43]

40. He was, nolabear

He had his faults and failings -- so say we all.

But in the best sense of the words he was a gentle man.

[KatyaR]

34. Oh no, how awful!

I was horrified when I first joined DU to find that my user name at the time, 5thGenDem, was so close to his. That's why I changed it when we were allowed to.

Rest in peace, John, we'll miss you.

[underpants]

35. Thanks John

:hi:

[JitterbugPerfume]

36. I remember him well

it is very sad to be losing another DUer

[LisaM]

38. Oh no!

I'm very sorry to hear this. It's unbelievable. I've been on this forum a long time, and remember him well (or at least his posts, and Funday). Terrible news.

[JitterbugPerfume]

39. kick