10/14/1961 7/7/2005 RIP

[Springer9]

Some won't forget.

I waited all day.

[FourScore]

1. Andrew Stephenson was a hero.

He is still terribly missed.

[EFerrari]

2. There was a thread for him earlier today ETA:

I think by GreenPartyVoter

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1434724

[oxymoron]

3. Oh, that just brought me to tears.

Andy was the best.

[Bladian]

4. I'm sorry, but...

Who? I'm relatively new to DU and I'm kinda young. So I'm sure I probably missed something.

[Raine]

A much beloved member of DU who died

way too soon. :-(

[Bladian]

7. Oh...

I'm sorry to hear that. That IS far too soon. :-( I feel like I shouldn't ask this, and if no one wants to answer I understand, but what happened? I feel I have to ask.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

8. I don't remember all the details...

But Andy was very sick with (I think) pancreatic cancer, and he had no insurance. Many of us DUers came to his aid with lots of money so that some hospital would operate on him.

Here my memory gets muddy. I think that some evil people put out the idea that he didn't need the surgery, but that he was using the money for something frivolous.

The ruckus delayed the surgery, and he did die. I don't recall if he got the operation or not. As I said, I was out of the country...

Will Pitt gave the eulogy.

It was a real tragedy.

[Bladian]

9. I dislike the people who caused the ruckus.

We must find them. Find them, and destroy them.

[nadinbrzezinski]

12. Yep those folks belong to the site that shall not be named

I did not realize Andy died on July 7.
RIP Andy, the dream lives on.

[hootinholler]

15. My Dear California Peggy

You are correct about the pancreatic cancer.

The woman who shall remain nameless made allegations about it being a fraud and JimRob's people filed complaints with paypal which in turn tied the money up just when Andy was all set and scheduled with one of the best pancreas guys in the nation at Johns Hopkins. The whole thing was mean and nasty spirited.

Did those acts kill Andy? We will never know, but we do know those actions didn't help him.

I was privileged to give Andy a tour of Annapolis during that period.

-Hoot

[Rhiannon12866]

19. I remember that his scheduled surgery was delayed until this was straightened out

Whether the delay cost Andy his life, we will never know. I remember waking up to a PM saying that Andy had passed away. He was a remarkable guy, with passion, compassion and humor, and one of my first friends on DU. I still miss him, too... ;( :hug:

[area51]

10. A DU member died

because we don't have health care as a basic human right in this country. He didn't have enough money for surgery, and DU'ers tried to help raise the money for his surgery.

[Suich]

13. Bladian, here's a post from the way-back machine,

that might help you out.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x1554108

[Bladian]

16. Oh excellent. Thank you.

I guess that explains why I've never heard of him. Died six years ago...I'm sure people don't bring him up much anymore, regardless of their feelings towards him. That really is too bad. Shouldn't happen in the "most advanced democratic country", but-big surprise!-it does. Ridiculous.

[Suich]

18. People mention him up all the time!

You can't have a conversation about electronic voting without Andy's name coming up!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

5. Omigod.

I remember I was out of the country on vacation when he died...

When I got back, I was so horrified at his death. I could hardly believe it.

I HAD forgotten it now...

Next year, I won't.

Rest in Peace, dear Andy...

:grouphug:

[givemebackmycountry]

6. You did good.

Thank you.

[The Doctor.]

11. Too soon. So much work left.

I remember.

[Suich]

14. A terrific person!

I can't believe it's been 6 years.

And we still haven't gotten rid of touch-screen voting.

[myrna minx]

17. .

:cry:

[SoCalDem]

20. Here are threads we all remember.. I think we got to $50K eventually

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3608367
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=213x520
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=3204768&mesg_id=3204768
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=3561640&mesg_id=3584371&page=
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3588998