I know I’ve been MIA for a few days, and I had been preparing to write my reasons, but at this time they don’t seem too important. It’s with great sadness that I write of the passing of Bob Coates, someone I never met, but got to know through our mutual love for alternative country music via the Screen Door mailing list. For years I’ve appreciated Bob’s commentary, opinion, and humourous writings and it hit hard to get the following message a few moments ago:

Date: Thu, 05 Dec 2002 20:46:27 -0000
From: “markerdog”
Subject: A Fond Farewell
There is some sad news.
Bob Coates, my spouse, and regular contributor to this list , has passed away this past Saturday evening, after a year-long battle with cancer.

Bob worked on the As It Happens program on CBC Radio, a place he’d held work at for the past 13 years. My best thoughts go to him, his wife, his family and friends. The fact that he can mean so much to so many people who never actually shook his hand or said hello means a lot.

In Memoriam, Bob Coates, 1959-2002