He will be missed. RIP Ivan
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He will be missed. RIP Ivan
I didn't know him, but I followed this thread I was touched by it. Thank you for sharing the story.
May the angels sing for you to bring them joy through the Fern that once again graces your hands. And may you find laughter as you set it down to reach for the Stelling instead.
God speed, Ivan. You are missed.
Heaven just got a little cooler. RIP Ivan.
On every forum to do with music, there's always a rare individual, who's comments and posts are invariably helpful, never sarcastic or thoughtless. This role was one which Ivan filled. May he rest in peace.
So sad to lose Ivan, a staunch member of this tight-knit community. RIP.
Back in 2009 when I joined the Cafe, within a week I had a 'phone call from Ivan. He saw a new member from the UK and he reached out. Over the years we exchanged all kinds of music, he helped me with a few technical issues, and he was forever sending me bad jokes.
Over the last few months Ivan's emails have been quite remarkable, not only because of his fortitude and honesty, but because in the face of death he genuinely worried more for his dear wife than his own condition.
Ivan was a very decent man, he had lots of strong opinions about what went on here at the Cafe but only ever expressed them privately. Music was a genuine love of his life, but at the end he realised how insignificant it is compared to other things. Even our happy distractions have to be seen for what they are.
I am grateful for Ivan's friendship, his northern no-nonsense, and for his humanity that shone through those uncomfortable times at the end.
I am very sorry to hear about Ivan. I always enjoyed his contributions here, over many years.
RIP,
Dagger
I'm very sorry and sad to hear this news.
I had the pleasure of meeting Ivan a handful times a few years back (via this website) and did a bit of jamming with him. I remember a kind, curious and quirky gentleman who loved music.
My heart goes out to Shirley, his wife, who I never met but Ivan spoke lovingly of her. I know he was an avid fan of this website and of the mandolin.
RIP Ivan
Heartbreaking news. So many of us were quite fond of him.
Rest In Peace, Ivan.
RIP Ivan. We've been missing your contributions here.
Safe journeys for the next realm Ivan! There will be music.
Such sad news. Ivan will be missed.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam
Happy pickin friend :mandosmiley:
Marty Jacobson:
Bravo, Marty.Quote:
Heaven just got a little cooler
Bravo, Cafe community.
I did not know Ivan but greatly admired his courage. God bless his family and friends.
I had not been following this post. How sad. RIP Ivan
Rest in peace, Ivan. Thanks for the many contributions to the community. You are missed.
I hope you are in a bright place, Ivan, playing.
Thanks for passing on the sad news Brad.
It's good to see the effect he had on people and the affection he inspired.
I am very grateful to have encountered Ivan via the Cafe and benefited from his thoughts over the years.
Sorry to hear Ivan’s passing. I wish the best for his family.
I enjoyed the private messages about mandolins with Ivan.
Very sad --- I'd been expecting it.
For many years I was lucky enough to be "e-pals" with Ivan -- I so much enjoyed reading a fresh email from Ivan with morning coffee often more than one --Ivan was many things but reticent was not one of them. We talked about so many different things -- he was a true man of the world and he knew a little about just about any topic and a lot about many others as well! He was a gentleman, a musician, an engineer, a scholar, a thinker, and a jack of all trades in the very best sense of the word. He read vociferously about so many things-- politics, history, anthropology, physics, mathematics, time travel and space, religion, Bill Monroe and Buddy Holly....oh and mandolins too. Ivan had opinions oh yes!
I hope that he was able to leave on his own terms, with some peace of mind and with all the cares that he was so worried about as settled as possible. He was so desperately concerned about leaving his wife and his cats -- I think for most men that is the worst thing -- to no longer be there to help -- even if you can't always fix it.
In April after the full implications of his diagnosis took hold Ivan withdrew from daily email correspondence to concentrate on what he had to do with the time he had left. I also think that he withdrew from the daily exchanges as much for his friends as for himself. He did not want his friends to have to send him daily notes of sympathy and to worry and suffer along with him?
In my opinion he lived a fine life and he had so many meaningful accomplishments -- from both his work life as an materials engineer to his hobbies. A young English guy who in the '60s learns about bluegrass teaches himself to play 5-string banjo, then forms a bluegrass band with some other blokes and they get good enough to open for Bill Monroe when he visited the UK. Then he took on mandolin. He also played electric guitar.
I sure hope someone over there wrote for him the kind of grand remembrance of his life that he deserved -- he had many good friends over there and I'll bet they sent Ivan off in style. Certainly many members of the Mandolin Cafe have told us how much Ivan meant to them!
I feel fortunate to have been his friend -- certainly the best friend that I never met.
I'm glad that his suffering is over and all the best to his family and pals and of course his cats!
So very sorry to learn of Ivan's passing. A real gentleman in our forum. God be with all the friends and family!
To our friend Ivan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LI92oDdXazg
I just got back on here as I had family visiting for a little over a week and just heard about this sad news, Ivan was a really great guy and sorry to hear about this, what a bummer! I always enjoyed reading his posts and talking with him through here and personal emails. Ivan will be missed by his friends here and at home, my condolences to his family and close friends. Its always sad to hear this sort of news. As always what was one say when someone passes this life and goes on to the next chapter into the unknown that one day we all will go through ourselves.