RIP Lee "Penn" Gwin

[Ted Eschliman]

Many of us kept regular contact with fellow mandolin enthusiast and Corgi lover Lee Gwin. He hadn't been active recently in the forum, but he was well known for his Antarctic Adventures a few years ago. His sister posted this tragic news on his Facebook Page:

"To all of Lee's friends, I have some very sad news. My dear brother died on Tuesday. If you know Lee at all, you know he was brilliantly smart, funny and loving. He will be missed so much. His life ended far too early. If you're in Denver, please join us for Lee's memorial on Sunday at 2:00 pm at Unity Church, 3021 University Blvd.
-Amy"

I really enjoyed his sense of humor and had hoped to meet him in person one day. I'll miss him.

[Scott Tichenor]

Thanks for posting, Ted. I am always saddened to learn of someone's passing that spent time with us. I hadn't see him around in awhile which happens, but I too recall he had a good sense of humor. Rest in peace, Lee.

[Jill McAuley]

What very sad news this is - I remember Lee and his fondness for Corgis (as I'm a fan too). My thoughts and condolences go out to his family and friends.

[MikeEdgerton]

Very sad. He was a very interesting man. RIP.

[Eddie Sheehy]

Enjoyed a lot of banter with Lee here on the Cafe over the years. RIP, Lee.

[F-2 Dave]

My condolences. Lee was a fixture here when I first joined the forum. I always appreciated his posts.

[red7flag]

Lee was active when I joined. His enthusiasm and humor always struck me. We also had similar lusts for certain mandolins. RIP and may your adventure never end, my friend.

[Bill Snyder]

Rats! I was wondering just a week or two ago how he was doing.

[Randi Gormley]

Lee was a fixture when I joined, too -- and he was always a gracious, funny guy. Loved his reports from the Antarctic. Condolences to his family and friends. A loss to the café, as well.

[Brett Byers]

Lee was a frequent visitor to the Weber shop when he lived in Livingston. I had the great pleasure of doing a few custom finishes for his Weber mandolins, and I always enjoyed his humor, kindness, and stories from the ice. He was even more charming in person. I remember one day he spent a couple of hours at my workbench talking mandolins, dogs, Antarctica, mountains, rivers, and traveling the world. What an engaging fellow. He will be missed.

[Steve-o]

I just saw his ad for his Weber a few days ago... so very sorry to hear this.

Lee was a fixture when I joined, too -- and he was always a gracious, funny guy. Loved his reports from the Antarctic. Condolences to his family and friends. A loss to the café, as well.

My sentiments precisely. RIP Lee.

[Phil Goodson]

Though I only knew him through his posts here years ago, I felt like I knew him personally.
I'm saddened. I'll miss knowing that he's around. RIP "Pen".

[Dale Pauline]

Sorry to hear to news. Fellow ICE worker at McMurdo Station and mandolinist. RIP Lee...

[GDAE]

I was just thinking about him the other day and wondering what had become of him. I always liked his Antarctica posts. RIP.

[sgarrity]

Such sad news. I was friends with Lee here and on FB. Besides mandolins we shared a mutual love of dogs. RIP my friend!

[Ivan Kelsall]

That is such very sad news. Quite a while back,Lee & myself exchanged personal e-mails on many occasions. We both played Weber mandolins & i think that was what drew us to make personal contact.
My very sincere condolences to all members of his family,
R.I.P. Lee

[CES]

Prayers for his family. Very sad news indeed...

[David Rambo]

Sending prayers to his family; RIP "Pen." I enjoyed your posts from Antarctica a great deal.

[journeybear]

Sad news, indeed. He had a bracing wit and a delightful way with words. He also had about the best and most appropriate nickname here: "Uncle Pen" Gwin, posting from Antarctica. I had been missing him already. I will continue to do so.

Rest in peace, old pal. Keep picking in the Angel Band.

[mandroid]

I remember him sharing what happened to his little wooden Weber Travel Mandolin
in a climate where all the moisture was locked up in Ice .. RH near zero.

[oldwave maker]

I built Lee a mandolin years ago when he was down under. During the process, I sent him a photo of my indoor/outdoor thermometer reading 82/112, he wrote back that it had hit 72 below that night! Turned me on to literally the coolest site on the internet- http://www.usap.gov/videoClipsAndMaps/mcmWebcam.cfm. It's only 39 below at McMurdo at the moment, but winter is coming.... Don't be confused by all those extra strings on the instruments up there, amigo!