Some of you may have noticed that one of our regular contributors, rhotician, has not commented recently. Sadly, the reason for this is that he was in hospital where he passed away on Tuesday morning.
Since his first comment back in early June 2012, rhotician has regularly provided valuable input to our discussions and I, for one, will miss his contributions. I’m sure that all those who visit this site, particularly those who met Michael at one of the S&B get-togethers, will wish to join me in sending condolences to his family and friends.
This is indeed a sad loss.
I met Michael at John’s birthday do in Sheffield last October, where he was keeping a very low profile but, under gentle pressure, he eventually confessed to his pseudonym, which had intrigued me ever since his first comment. [Long ago, I used to make the occasional comment on behalf of my late Scottish husband about so-called homophones which ignored the ‘r’ in rhotic accents.]
Michael had a pronounced Northern Irish accent, which became even stronger as he held forth on what I suspect was one of his favourite subjects.
I met him again at the Centenary gathering last December and had another interesting and amusing chat.
Like Gaufrid, I shall miss his witty, knowledgeable and sometimes enigmatic contributions to 15² [the latest of which was actually only last week].
RIP Michael.
Rhotician and I crossed swords on more than one occasion and we often had different views, but he was always up for the debate – one of the many reasons he will be missed. Sympathy to his friends and family.
RIP to this fellow poster.
Sad news – I found many of his contributions interesting and educational, so he’ll be missed – thanks for the announcement Gaufrid.
I always looked forward to Rhotician’s comments, and had been missing them over the last few days.
My condolences to his family and friends
Sad news indeed. I regret that I never met Michael in person (though I was also at Enigmatist’s birthday bash at Sheffield; I lack Eileen’s forthrightness!). I always enjoyed his interventions here, whether I agreed with him (often the case) or not. A great verbal sparring partner.
[Just for the record, my ‘forthrightness’ [or ‘gentle pressure’] – I just happened to be at the bar at the same time – was, ‘Have you ever commented on 15² or are you a lurker?’. There were a few moments’ hesitation before he came clean – and tapped a finger on his nose. I felt that if I told anyone else I’d have to kill them.]
Very sorry to hear this. John’s Sheffield do was very well attended and I can’t remember if I met Michael. Certainly hope so.
My sincere condolences.
Very sad news. Condolences to his family.
Neil
Sat next to him at the centenary bash. He was quiet and polite, very different from what I expected from his sometimes quite strident views on line. Great shame, he livened up many a blog.
I was very saddened to read the news on the Guardian site today, and, I think, too shocked to add my condolences to his family and friends, which I do now. My sincerest sympathies to you all.
db
I met Michael too, in London, somewhere. Memorial bash? Think so. Anyway, he was to me as he was to Eileen, really secretive, really cloak-and-dagger about his online contributions. I had several mildish altercations with him on 15^2, or at least I think I did, and then, in meeting him, I realised what a great guy he was. A right character, really funny in conversation, and a knowledgeable bloggist. What a shame to lose him. RIP to a good bloke.
Hi Paul B
There had been, as you say, ‘several mildish altercations here – quite amusing for the rest of us – so, just for fun, I introduced the two of you at the Centenary do in London and then left you to it: ‘light the blue touchpaper and retire’. I gathered later that [as expected] you’d really hit it off. As you say, great guy … a right character …good bloke. A great pity that more people didn’t get to meet him in person.
Oh damn. I’ll miss him greatly. I could always rely on him to say the opposite of what I said. Great entertainment. Sometimes I thought he did on purpose, not necessarilly because he meant it. Well, I know I do that!
Hahaha! Devious! Thanks for that Eileen, without your interventions I’d have missed out.
Oh.
Words fail. So sad.
Sad news. Rhotician added much to the vitality of 15sq and he will be much missed. Condolences to his family.
I am shocked, I am.
At last, after so many lively discussions at Fifteensquared he, a bit more intellectual than perhaps I am, and I first met in Sheffield.
It was there, a year ago, that someone (unknown to me) approached me with the words “Hi, guess who I am”. On his badge was only a big letter R.
“No idea – just tell me”.
He did.
Wearing a brownish slightly outdated 70s outfit, really interested in the people who shared the same passion as he did, a bit unsettled in this ‘pubby’ environment too.
That’s how I remember Rhotician.
Genuine.
I am shocked, I am.
Well I am a fairly recent arrival, but rhotician was certainly one of the ‘good things’ that made this place an essential daily visit. I had no idea he was ill – how little we really know about each other.
Very sad to read this. I think we had quite a few “lively debates” but some agreements too. Surely one of the wittiest here. Will be missed. RIP.
What very sad news. I always looked forward to seeing what rhotician had to say when I popped in here for enlightenment on the Guardian cryptic.
I can easily imagine that I would have enjoyed his company, judging by his wit and erudition.
I’ll miss him.