The AM Forum

Guys, theyfounda newegg sized tumor my head yesterday they arenowgrowingbackfaster than operationscouldeverremove

Ihavebeentoldtoget my affairs in order andthey havecalledhospicein for
 
Thank allofyoufor the goodtimes and fun

DAMN!

Well I hope band conditions are better on the other side and slopbucketeers are sent "elsewhere".

Im not a religious person so please accept my condolences to you and your family.

Carl

OK Tim,
This is not an easy subject to deal with on a forum. But you know there are many who will read this and remember the beginning of excitement to an old Amateur radio mode and how you are a big part of it. I remember the attic shack of Steve (former HUZMAN) and hauling your ball buster transformers up those narrow steps as we re-assembled a very nice Rack style Ole buzzard transmitter you built.

Well old friend I have some of your contact numbers and will try to call on a landline.
There will be many other replies to your sad news, Tim

Fred

Aw man, yer one of my favorite gangstas on the air.  This makes me sad indeed.

Let me know if there's anything we can do for ya man...

I was wondering if we would hear this news soon. Indeed, it makes me sad. MOP brought up some good memories and there were many more, both on the air and in person. I hope the doctors are wrong.  :(

Yup, this news hit me like a punch directly in the ol' heart.
Your courage has been an inspiration thru this ordeal, Tim.
I am and always will be proud to say I know the Derb.
Ain't no finer in this world!

Derb,

Sad news indeed. This is a tough break - a bad poker hand being dealt.  

I remember the fun times visiting your 1930's-style shack and having you up here for a visit. We had lots of laughs on the air and you set the standard as the BJB.  You will always be fondly remembered, OM.

Miracles do happen and let's hope for a recovery.  We never know.

T

Hang in there Derb. Sorry to hear the news

Sorry to hear that Derb. We, too hope the docs are wrong.
- JTD and Maggie

 :'(

Damn Tim what a punch. I am very sad.

But don't you leave us thinking you haven't made your mark because you have.

Peace brother.

zrf and Pam

Damn Tim, I am very sad to read this. As others have said, you are an inspiration to us all. Your courage through all this has been amazing. I don't know if I could have held up as well as you have during this ordeal.
As this story has unfolded, I have related what I know to my wife. It brings tears to my eyes every time.

God Bless Derb

Derb, you are in our prayers.

Derb

This is very upsetting.

Can we do anything for you?

I enjoy your presence here and on the air.

The best!

73,
Dan
W1DAN

crap.


I wish you and Glow the best. God bless both of you.

klc

Devastating news for all of us.

But miracles do occur.

If worse comes to worst, take heart in what Mark Twain once said, "I was dead for billions of years before I was born and it didn't inconvenience me in the least."

Man, what a depressing day.  I had just got up and the first thing I heard on the news was about the earthquake that destroyed Christchurch, NZ, just when the phone rang.  It was my daughter; she told me she had fallen and re-injured her knee, the one that was severely damaged about 5 years ago in the hit-and-run accident. She has no medical insurance because she hasn't been able to find a real job since she graduated university and she is too old to stay on her mother's plan. Then I come on line, and see this... And it's not even noon yet.   :(

Derb,
I am very sad about this news.  I very much enjoy your presence here.

Here's hoping they are wrong.

73

Rich

Derb, I just barely know you.  But you have inspired so many wonderful friends that you should consider yourself a wealthy man!

Bill

We go back pretty far, my friend.

And you'll be with me as long as I'm around.

Be positive and know that miracles do occur. You're in all of our thoughts!

Wow, Derb, it's hard to come up with a response to such unfortunate news.  I don't know how I would react under similar circumstances.  I just hope that you will be comfortable for the duration and hope for a miracle.

Derb, I only know you from the posts on this board, having never worked you on the air, but my prayers are with you and Glo.  God is still in the miracle business and who are we to question his plans for us.  Keep the faith and you just never know what tomorrow may bring. Let's pray for a miracle....God bless, brother...

Tim, don't sever that mic cord yet. As long as your filaments are lit, you still have a fighting chance. You will be in my prayers as well as a long list of others on here.

Derb, I never met you but I can tell that you are wealthy in friends. May God bless you.

Mike Bracey
KE5YTV

I'm very sorry Derb.
You've been an inspiration to me and I'm sure many others.
I wish you and 'Glo' the very best.

I'm am so sorry to hear this news.  What more can be said?

I will keep you in my prayers.

A man is know by the number and veracity of his friends.  You have numerous friends who are dedicated to your presence.  You are an inspiration to us all, brave, considerate and forgiving.  My family's best to you and yours.

Wow Derb.

It ain't over till its over so you never know. Your in our prayers.

It sure seems like you gave it the best fight you could and have a lot of support around you.

Keep the 807s cold and the 813s warm.

Carl
WA1KPD

You are a good man and it's hard to keep a good man down! 

Derb
  I'm sorry to hear this.
 I will cherish the on-air contacts we have had. Your love for the early era of Amateur Radio will always be an inspiration to me.
 God Speed My Friend.

Hi Derb, I am also very sorry to read your news.   I wish there were more I could do than just communicate through this forum.  Like others have said, I will continue to hope and pray for you.

Rob

Hi Tim,

I'm very saddened to hear this latest news. I am praying for you bro.

God bless you and Glo.

Derb,
Truly awful news.  Let's hope they are wrong.  I beleive they were wrong before.
Only worked you a few times on the air & always enjoyed your posts on this forum.
--You are in our prayers.

I just got word that Derb has called Frank at home to say goodbye, but of course Frank's in the hospital and did not receive the message Derb left on the machine.

Carol called me Tuesday night to pass along her deep appreciation at all the calls about Frank that she's been getting, but asks PLEASE now hold off as she devotes as much time as possible to getting Frank well. "It's just too overwhelming," she said, almost apologetically, what with Frank's crisis, and knowing Joe/IBX is in the hospital, and now here's friend Derb saying he doesn't have very long and is going into hospice, and really hopes to talk once more to Frank.

About Frank, here are details in an update she asked me to distribute, to hopefully drain down some of the calls she's been getting.

Frank is stable, has been moved OUT of intensive care and into medium-care at Franklin Square Hospital.  He is recovering after doctors "banded" two additional veins that were under pressure as a result of Frank's condition. The active bleeding has been stopped. One source of that bleeding was an earlier vein that had popped but is now repaired.

"He's very weak right now," Carol said, "but they hope to get some food in him tomorrow."
Those who know Frank realize the value of THAT plan.

"He should be out by Friday and back home," she said, adding that his blood quality is looking better (his chemistry has been bad).  "He's in good spirits, and laughing" Carol said, and that many of his "ham friends' have visited.  PLEASE DO NOT CALL him at the hospital, but he can accept visitors just about any time, she said. He's on the 5th Floor.

Carol's not sure Frank can take this latest turn for Derb.  I said he'd probably be pissed if he DIDN'T get to talk with him again. And she said Glo is leaning the same way. So the two women will talk some more and try to make something happen there.  

Updates as they happen.

Wow, that's unbelievable !  Derb, you're one of the good ones from way back.  My prayer is that you be guided in the steps that lie ahead.  Peace to you.

Steve

God bless you Derb. No one can ever say you didn't fight this as hard as you could.

So sorry to hear this Derb.
The fellows are right, miracles do happen, and a positive mental attitude is the only way to be. Judging from the numerous comments here, you've made a big mark in many lives, that's a true testament to your character and something that lasts.

I'll be keeping you on the XYL in prayer.
God bless.

- Bruce

I just got home from seeing Frank at the hospital.  Frank and Derb were able to interface via cellphone. 

Derb, 
  This stinks, I was just getting to know ya.  I was hoping to have you around for a long time.  There is always hope and miracles can happen.  Can you receive visitors at Hospice/home/hospital (basically wherever you are staying)?  If so what is the address?

Derb,
Sorry OM to hear the news, hopefully you'll prove them wrong once again... Nobody could ever old buzzard better then you Derb...

Best wishes bro... may the black crackle be king

I'm also sorry to hear this news, Tim. As others have said, it's not over 'til it's over, but regardless - I'm honored and thankful to have gotten to meet and know you and Gloria, and glad you two made it over to Frank's last Timonium parties. You're the only person I ever heard who could make a 25 watt FT-101 sounds like a kilowatt of beautiful AM coming into the northeast from West Virginia. It amazes me still!

However things go, here or elsewhere, we'll meet again. Until that time, may you be at peace.

Derb, I'm sorry to read this and can't add to what others have said. I've always enjoyed your posts and website. God bless you.

Derb,  I am so sorry to hear this news.  You have many many friends in this community and we are all pulling for you and praying for a miracle.  Best to you and Glo as you go through these difficult times.

73,  Jack, W9GT

Derb,

Be proud of the fight you have been battling. You have done it with perseverance and dignity.  Its a tuff battle, with a lot of unanswered questions.  From your original diagnosis many years back you have had some good "runway time".   You were a "Tall Ship" without getting much fire in the wire when you had the FT-101 on the air . When you had the Gonset amp on that Frank AHZ helped you with, you really made the "monkey swing".  We know your true radio love is black wrinkle panels with nice push pull plug in coils with  a swinging link!  Sometimes even with heroic efforts, things go in a different direction no matter how hard we try. 

Keep doing what your doing and keep the faith my friend. 

Our thoughts and prayers are with you as well as to all those that are close to you. Peace be with you my friend. 

Joe, W3GMS   

Tim,

As so many of your good friends have said here already, miracles happen every single day. I'm hoping your miracle arrives very shortly.

You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Rob

I would not normally post something like this because I've never been one to express my emotions but this news brought a tear to my eye then it ticked me off, not because of anybody's fault but because I lost a dear and best friend, a friend I grew up with who succumbed to the same disease.  We were inseparable from elementary school until the final day. He lost the fight at age 29.  It makes me so mad that this retched disease can't be stopped from taking the ones we love.  Tim, you put up a gallant and brave fight. My prayers and thoughts to you, Glo and your family.  There's nothing more to be said. I will ponder.

HANG IN THERE AND KEEP FIGHTING

Derb,

Hang in there and don't ever give up. Lots of us are praying for you.

This place is only temporary for any of us. We will all meet the same fate one way or the other. Derb, I can only wish you much strength and dont ever look back. Life is continuous,  there is no end, at least thats my take on the whole matter.

Oh man, I'm so sorry to hear this news. Just reading some of these replies in this thread shows how much you have affected the people around you over the years. Your such a great person and your being taken away from this family way too soon. Know that you have the love and support from all of us here and miracles do happen from time to time. Make sure all potential paths are explored and if the time does come, then go with your chin up knowing that your influences will live on forever in the thoughts of all these people that call you friend.

J

A prayer from Colleen and I....We love ya Derb!

Brent W1IA

With a heavy heart....

God Bless

Awww Hell!! I spoke with Vortex last week Paul. Please Give Carol my best and if there is anything I can do please contact me. I am speechless
Brent

Derb, I'll tell you a story....

I once knew a man, at the age of 65 he got very bad news, the doc gave him 2 months, maximum.
He told me what was about to happen, but he also said with a firm voice while looking me deep into the eys, "I'll keep the engine running as long as there is gas in the tank, trust me!"

However, as always, eventually death caught him...

At the age of 89, while walking in the woods, a tree fell down on him.
The engine stopped at once.

From this we learn that sometimes strange things happens, and I don't mean the thing about the tree.
Derb, I wish you and your family the best of luck, and I will keep me fingers crossed.
Then, maybe you will fall down from the antenna tower when you are 101 years old?
Keep the filaments lit!

/Morgan

Derb,
I know it's tough, but keep fighting. Prove them wrong.
Bob WB2FOF

Tim,we love ya and hope only the best for you and Glo. Best wishes bro.

Hello Derb,
              You have always been one of my favorite people on the air, and a real inspiration with some of your FB OB style tranmitters.

I heard that you and Frank, KB3AHE were able to have a nice talk while Frank was still in the hospital. I'm very glad to hear that the both of you were able to hook up on the telephone.

Let me know if these is anything you'd like to have that may be lurking down my basement shack. I'd be glad to send it to you.

Prayers and best wishes to you and your XYL.

Joe Cro N3IBX

I can only echo what has already been said.

Tim, I pray for you, Glo, and your family.  As good as they are, may a Miracle prove the doctors wrong; and you continue to grace the lives whom you touch for a long time to come.

Maranatha, good sir.

While I was in the hospital (just got home this evening) my wife reluctantly called me to tell me about a message on our answering machine when she got home from visiting me. It was simply "Pick up, Bro,.......... Pick up Bro".

A long and tearful phone call to Gloria confirmed her suspicions and she very reluctantly called me to tell me.

Luckily KB3NQD was still in my room and volunteered his cell fone for me to call Timmy. (No long distance on hospital room phones) A lenghty call to Timmy left  me totally in tears and reduced me to tears for the rest of the night.

He was actually handling it better than I did. (I was falling apart, because of my own health issues, I couldn't even get our there to see him or help him.)

He is very much at peace with his fate and is handling it very well. Better than I took his news of immenant demise. It was just a little more than I could take, and I fell apart, big time! He says that he is looking forward to his in-home hospice care to be able to spend absolutely as much time with his most wonderful wife, Gloria as he possibly can before he goes away. He has the courage of a Roman Gladiator! ! !

I have known N3DRB up close and personally for well in excess of 20 years. We have survived both good times and bad times together. We have both hugged each other and cursed each other, but most important of all we have always forgiven each other's faults and remained good close friends through all of it. And believe it or not, It all started over a smoked out DX-100

I am having much difficulty choking back the tears while typing this. Timmy, you will always be loved by and never be forgotten by any of us that knew you.

Godspeed, my brother!!

Just keep on wavin yo hand in the breeze, cause I'll always have a grip on yo lip my brother!!

                                        Be Yo Big Bother
                                                              Sometimes called the Slab Bacon

 Tim, we used to talk a lot a few years back . We have always enjoyed hearing you in the mix , a fair person and always entertaining. Kinda had our hopes up at the beginning that this would be no big deal and would soon be history, but then ?
  Very sorry to get the news of this turn .

Derb:

Thank you for sharing your health and personal situation with us.

While I have not spoken with you on the air many times, your presence here is warming.

I am glad you have your wife and family here. To me ham radio (especially AM'ers here) form an extended family. I am glad to have you and others as a member of my family.

With prayers and support, lets hope you can modulate AM again soon.

Thank you for being here.

Dan

..Tim..I am struck by the news...I was hoping that things would have improved, and I pray that things will get better...God bless my friend, you are in my thoughts...

..Tim..

..sk..

Geez sorry Derb,

You have been swinging the monkey all along and beating this thing down and it is tough to take this news. I was the lucky guy and am 6 years in remission now but let me tell you, it changes how you live your life...

We are thinking of you and your family. Don't forget - whatever happens - you still strap around these parts! 

Mike WU2D

Tim,

We've never met, and it's been some time since we talked on radio.  Nonetheless, your news has struck me, and saddened me very much.  All I can do is pray, and I shall.  Try to keep your spirits up in the knowledge that you have many friends all pulling for you.

de
K2VHerb

Damn. Just saw this. Tim, my first contact wit you is logged on Christmas Day, 1993. Tim, I hope the docs are wrong. I've always enjoyed listening to you on the air. I hope to hear you back on the receiver, bro, on this side or the other.

Dave WB4IUY