Condolence Messages

Topic author:Larry Burford

Subject:Condolence Messages

Posted on:12 Jan 2009 09:19:17

Message:

The original thread about Tom's situation was focused mainly on collecting suggestions and information about possible ways to avoid a worse case outcome. Of course many of you also sent messages of condolence.

Stoat has suggested that a new thread, focused on condolences, is appropriate and I agree. If you have already posted such a message in the other thread please feel free to repeat it here or to post another.

Due to limitations in the forum software it is not possible to move messages around or to make an exception regarding the need to be registered to post. If anyone would like to send a message of condolence but does not want to register please send me an email and I will forward it to Tom's family. I will also post it to this thread unless you ask me to keep it private.

Thank you,

Larry

Replies:

Reply author:glittle

Replied on:12 Jan 2009 12:36:43

Message:

My condolences and sympathy to Tom's family and friends.

He touched many lives and will be missed.

I read "Dark Matter" in the 1990's, and now my children naturally think of gravity as pushing on us - because of Tom!

I know his legacy will continue for a long time, and hope it finds increasing acceptance and vindication!

With sorrow for our loss,

Glen

At this moment of reflection, a few quotes from Baha'u'llah that are relevant to Tom's Meta Model of the universe..

- The one true God hath everlastingly existed, and will everlastingly continue to exist. His creation, likewise, hath had no beginning, and will have no end.

- Know thou of a truth that the worlds of God are countless in their number, and infinite in their range.

- The learned men, that have fixed at several thousand years the life of this earth, have failed, throughout the long period of their observation, to consider either the number or the age of the other planets.... Know thou that every fixed star hath its own planets, and every planet its own creatures, whose number no man can compute.

 

Reply author:Stoat

Replied on:13 Jan 2009 05:45:09

Message:

I'm so sorry to hear about the death of Tom, my thoughts go out to his family. He put up a brave fight; in everything he did; and he'll be sorely missed.

 

Reply author:rush

Replied on:13 Jan 2009 12:21:52

Message:

I was looking for some news about his Meta Model today in the internet and found that he had passed away. I feel very sad.

I have never met him personally, but I could hold my tears.

This man simply changed my life. I used to be a guy who followed the mainstream, basically because I thought the mainstream "could not be wrong" and so I kept trying to find logical ways to justify my beliefs. With his words spread in many places in the internet, he was telling me: "Hey, you don't need to believe them. You have other more logical explanations to same phenomena".

I sincerally hope someone will continue to work on his theories.

My condolences to all his family.

Some day in the future, he will be recognized as a genius of our time.

 

Reply author:PheoniX_VII

Replied on:13 Jan 2009 16:52:31

Message:

This is tragic news indeed, Tom was indeed a great man. standing up against the bigger part of the cosmology community proved that. The Ideas he had and tried to pass on to us trough his books and this site will not be forgotten I'm sure of it, they may have lost their front line champion but I assure you they will not be forgotten. The universe Tom lived in was a simple, understandable one based on a few rules alone and that made it beautiful.
Even if Toms theories never become anything more then meta-science, they did menage to make me more open to the science overall, to interpret data on my own and draw my on conclusions, not base them solely on someone else's words.

I feel a bit egoistic but I really hate that I never got to meet this man, I was actually thinking about inviting him to my future Master of Science disputation, even though I doubt he would come all the way to Sweden just for that.

Tom won't be forgotten, and I feel deeply for all of you who were left behind as he passed on.

/Fredrik Persson

Second year Physics student

Lund, Sweden.

 

Reply author: DonW

Replied on:14 Jan 2009 02:38:03

Message:

I first met Tom about 50 years ago. I was working in GEs computer
center in Cincinnati. He was there as part of a work experience program GE had for students. He had written a Fortran program to enable members of the Moonwatch program to track satellites. I helped him get it running (very little help needed)on the IBM7090 (or 704) at the center.

We have exchanged a few messages over the years and I have been keeping up on his work. I was quite startled to hear of his death.

He will be much missed by many people.

Doneley Watson

 

Reply author:ralcaf

Replied on:14 Jan 2009 09:37:12

Message:

Although not registered in the message board, I have followed Tom's work for years and now I have only registered to give my condolences to his family. I am very saddened by the death of Tom. A great man is gone. I have no doubt that their work will be recognized in the future. Again, my sincere condolences to his entire family.

Ricardo Alcafuz

MSc. Meteorology and Climatology

 

Reply author: pshrodr

Replied on:14 Jan 2009 14:10:14

Message:

I first encountered Toms work in the pushing gravity book. Later on, from biographical material, I discovered the Meta Research site. Upon joining Meta, I started by reading his dark matter, missing planets, new comets book. Im easily impressed and told him it equals in quality the University of Chicago Great Books. I expected Tom to be consumed with his projects and ideas and possibly be aloof. But when I posted perspectives on gravity and space on Meta, Tom was always there to respond. He subsequently supported my attempt to present at CCC2 and encouraged my gravitational redshift idea. I was surprised what a down to earth person he is. Great people can amaze you.

Fortunately, Tom provided important energy to the topics of pushing gravity and conquering the big bang nonsense. In addition to great thoughts he provided ongoing creations such as Meta Research. His leadership will be missed.

Paul Schroeder

paul schroeder

 

Reply author: Finrod

Replied on:14 Jan 2009 21:21:15

Message:

Sadness. Great sadness.

Ian Farnworth

 

Reply author:davidjinks

Replied on:15 Jan 2009 02:57:23

Message:

My God. It was so fast. It's unbelievable he's gone.

My only solace is that I have faith Tom finally knows some of the answers to the Big Questions. That is comforting.

For those of us still here, well...there are few words to express our feelings of loss.

To the Van Flandern family: you have my deepest sympathies. Even in this time of sorrow, you surely realize how lucky you were to share a life with a special, gentle, friendly, yet fiercely independent man like Tom.

Today, let's revel in Tom's contributions to science and the seeds of inquiry he planted. Though it's uncertain who will possibly take up his fight, for now it's a question better left for future consideration.

 

Reply author:Leo Vuyk

Replied on:15 Jan 2009 07:26:41

Message:

My condolences and sympathy to Tom's family.
A great man with great ideas and a flexible mind able to think out of the box is gone.
He will be much missed by many people.
With sorrow for our loss.

Leo Vuyk.

 

Reply author:Karim Khaidarov

Replied on:15 Jan 2009 07:26:44

Message:

We have lost the prominent researcher, independent thinker and good friend...

With sincere condolences,

Karim Khaidarov,

Bourabai Research http://bourabai.kz/index.html,

Kazakhstan

Two things fill the mind with ever new and increasing wonder and awe, the more often and the more seriously reflection concentrates upon them, the starry heaven above me, and the moral law within me. - Immanuel Kant

 

Reply author:Matt Edwards

Replied on:16 Jan 2009 14:48:19

Message:

My name is Michael Van Flandern, I'm the oldest of Tom's four children.

I was totally shocked when I heard the news. What a loss to science. I got to know Tom when I was working on the book "Pushing Gravity". From the start, Tom was enthusiastic and very helpful. His thoughtful, reliable participation really had a reassuring effect on this jittery editor. After the book came out Tom was also instrumental in making it well-known. Now a lot of people have heard about PG, thanks to him. In later years I had many interesting conversations with Tom about numerous topics. I never had a chance to meet Tom in person. I offer my condolences to his family and friends.

Matt Edwards

 

Reply author: polarshift2012

Replied on:16 Jan 2009 20:09:01

Message:

On behalf of my film crew, hosts and myself,
I send our deepest sympathies and condolences.
We will never forget Dr. Van Flandern's generosity in sharing his knowledge and theories with us, and of course, the great hospitality Tom and his wife Barbara, showed us while we were visiting their home in May of 2007.
It was a precious moment we cannot forget.

Paul Stoichevski
Producer
Polar Shift Productions Ltd.

 

Reply author:Zip Monster

Replied on:16 Jan 2009 20:59:53

Message:

TVF

The first time I spoke to TVF was back in 1999 when I called him (cold) at his office in Maryland and he actually answered the phone. WoW.

We spoke about Hoaglands position that the Face is a human/feline visage and he made it clear that he supported a totally symmetrical model. He would never consider the idea of a bifurcated formation. Over the years I engaged conversation with him on his Meta Research web site (heated at times) and finally got the chance to meet him at the first X-Conference in April of 2004. We met at the cocktail party (he was standing with his back to the wall all by him self). I walked up and introduced myself and we talked for about an hour debating the symmetrical and two-faced aspects of the face over a few drinks, but he was stead fast to his stance. It would have been nice to have known him better.

It is a shame that he passed just days before NASAs "big" press conference about the methane on Mars; he would have a lot of insights on its significance.

Burn bright, you cosmic diamond, the Bracelet of Heaven awaits.

Zip Monster

 

Reply author:emanuel

Replied on:18 Jan 2009 10:59:00

Message:

OMG I just found out. What can I say. I am very saddened. I have purchased over a dozen copies of his book and given them away as gifts. I refer people to this website all the time. I never met Tom but he has had a huge influence on me. My condolences to all his friends and family.

Emanuel Sferios

 

Reply author:William L. Chapin

Replied on:18 Jan 2009 21:37:29

Message:

Annice and I were privileged to accompany Tom on five total solar Eclipse Edge expeditions beginning in Mexico in 1991 and ending in Zimbabwe in 2001. His knowledge, patience, kindness and friendlieness made each of the trips an unforgettable experience. We met Barbara and other family members on those trips, and our hearts and prayers are with them. Although Tom died way too young, reflecting on all the good he accomplished must be of some comfort to those who knew and loved him.

Bill Chapin

/William L. Chapin/

 

Reply author:mikevf

Replied on:21 Jan 2009 15:20:17

Message:

Posting on behalf of Paula Foggo:

What is a true scientist?

And just as Larry said, Tom is a fighter for sure.When I think of the one word that best describes Tom Van Flandern, commitment comes to mind. He taught me the importance of that word to a level I have perhaps seen only in my own father; commitment to his family, to health, to learning, to his work ethic, to his peers, and most importantly to the pursuit of truth in scienceat his own expense.

Rarely are we given the opportunity to cross paths with such a remarkable individual. In 1989 Tom, my then client who booked an airline ticket for the occasional astronomy conference, called to tell me he was starting up his own research company and asked for my assistance in organizing his first eclipse expedition. After explaining that I knew nothing about eclipses, little about hosting groups to foreign countries, and possessed few leadership skills, I said I was on board. He didnt care. He just gave me his trust.

Over the years Ive had the privilege of working with him on 6 eclipse and 2 meteor storm expeditions. He always strived to maximize the number of people who could experience this great phenomenon by making the tours as affordable as possible, and by strategically choosing the most optimum viewing sites for clear skies. I came to share this goal and Eclipse Edge Expeditions became the most important part of my travel career. I am grateful for the fact that, during his lifetime, he enjoyed success with every one of his 6 eclipse expeditions.

While on those tours I would always stay up the night before the eclipse, as if my watching the sky would control the clouds that threatened the two years of planning we had just brought to fruitation. It was not officially a success until Tom said so. As one of many commonly repeated conversations, I remember sitting with him at a picnic table in Bartin, Turkey waiting for the early reports from those participants with telescopes that we have first contact. Tom turned to me and said, I think were 4 for 4. On cue Id start crying to symbolize the relief.

What started as a business arrangement between a travel agent and her client became a remarkable relationship that only the students of the greatest minds can appreciate. Tom gave meaning to my career and the opportunities of a lifetime, but most importantly, taught me the importance of never compromising my principles in return for power, popularity, or prosperity.

In our last conversation Tom expressed concern over the future of Eclipses Edge. I promised him that, so long as any of his family members or colleagues are committed to continuing this legacy, I will be available to assist to the best of my ability.

It is with immense gratitude that I join with his family and friends in celebrating the life of Tom Van Flandern. He touched my life in a way no one else could. He was my friend, my teacher, my mentor, and my hero.

Tom, although I remember very little of what youve taught me about the constellations, I will never again be able to look at a star without thinking of you. Rest well dear friend and may you now have the final pieces to the answers you have worked so hard to discover. With love, Paula Foggo

 

Reply author: mikevf

Replied on:21 Jan 2009 16:57:56

Message:

Posted on behalf of Esko Lyytinen:

At my early stage of "more serious astronomical work" Tom was the the only one (besides my own family) to give me support and encouragement and the only one to whom I could write and discuss on astronomical things that interested me. Without his support, encouragement, suggestions and advice and trust, I would probably have never done, what I may have done, in part with Tom, to promote (in a small branch) the astronomy study and for example would not do now here with the Finnish Ursa fireball-group the fireball-data analysis etc that I am doing. Tom always had time to concentrate and deal with the things that I wrote to him and

I VERY STRONGLY VALUE THE SUPPORT AND FRIENDSHIP HE GAVE TO ME

I miss him,

Esko

 

Reply author:Michiel

Replied on:22 Jan 2009 06:05:26

Message:

My condolences to Tom's family.

May Tom's personality, dedication and work continue to be an inspiration to all.

Michiel

 

Reply author:boris

Replied on:26 Jan 2009 13:55:45

Message:

Mike just emailed me this sad news of Toms passing.

I've known Tom since I was about 16 years old (thirty years ago!), when I first heard him talk to the National Capital Astronomers (amateur astronomers club), about the anomalous Uranus system. I was an avid amateur at the time, and I was intrigued and attracted to his novel thinking. Tom and I took an immediate liking to each other, and I remember he once arranged a night time visit to the Naval Observatory's Clarke refractor for me... I had stars in my eyes in those days (about astronomy).

I liked Tom a lot and of course was enthusiastic about his contrarian position in astronomy, which I discovered when we bumped into each other again in 1990 at the annual Division of Planetary Sciences conference in Charlottesville. I had already gone a different path with my career, straying from astronomy to become a technical illustrator after college, but my interest and intellectual pursuit of astronomy never left me. I became involved in the preparations for his book Dark Matter...

Through his work and the books (also Pushing Gravity, edited by Edwards), and the ongoing works in Metaresearch, he taught me a lot about how things work in the world (as well as outside the world). For this I will always be grateful - he changed my life priorities and worldview.

Over the years, Tom was always available to answer my questions or suggestions, which would usually be triggered by my readings in the MRB, or also by my readings elsewhere that I would bring to his attention. I dont know if that was ever of use to him, but he was always kind and enthusiastic and informative in his discussions with me. His uncompromising approach to the science of astronomy, and his zeal for life and truth remain an inspiration to me!

Im sure many others are similarly inspired by Toms life and work, and as can be seen on this board, people will carry on for him - carrying forward his life philosophy or science or both. His contribution to astronomy is already no doubt considerable, and through the ongoing work of his friends, it will be magnified as time passes.

Even though we had only infrequent correspondence in recent years, I'm going to miss Tom a great deal!

Good bye, my dear friend.

Boris

 

Reply author:Walt

Replied on:28 Jan 2009 11:02:52

Message:

Going to miss the man who let me show my images my way, he's now a Star in the Heavens

 

Reply author:dholeman

Replied on:10 Feb 2009 23:31:17

Message:

I am greatly saddened to learn of Tom's passing. He was a truly enlightened scholar and an enlightening teacher. I have often thought how lucky I have been to have learned from him the answers to, well, life, the universe and everything. His commitment to his beliefs was exceeded only by his dedication to the principles of fairness and freedom of expression. The very existence of this messageboard is testimony to those ideals. I am grateful for the patience he showed me in our correspondence and conversations, and for the fact that we had them at all.

I may be wrong, but it seems reasonable that we'll meet up with Tom again someday - an infinite universe offers infinite possibilities.

 

Reply author:Rudolf

Replied on:26 Feb 2009 08:23:30

Message:

I was shocked to learn that Dr Van Flandern passed away. This world has lost a great scientist and astronomer. His ideas and theories have inspired many including myself and I hope that what we've learned from him would lead us to a better understanding of the cosmos.

 

Reply author:Thomas

Replied on:01 Mar 2009 16:07:34

Message:

I have not visited the Metaresearch site for quite a while, and was shocked to find that Tom has recently passed away. My condolences go to all his family.

I hope very much that Tom's spirit continues to live on in this message board, which for me has been one of the few places on the web over the last few years where one could freely discuss new ideas in a friendly environment.

Thomas

 

Reply author:dljewett

Replied on:27 Apr 2009 22:31:45

Message:

Here it is April 27, and I just thought to look at Mega Research, since I remembered that Tom was ill. Time as sped by, as did life itself. I send my condolences, but I'd like also to send a remembrance that is wholly positive.
I was with Tom in Cardiff, Wales, at a 2998 conference on Astrobiology. Tom presented his Mars slides, as well as a very well thought out talk on "Exploding Planets". At one dinner, I asked how he got into this topic, and he told me the following story (I'll tell it as if he were talking):
"I was working at the Naval Observatory, and doing the programming for the calculations of orbits. I had a good number of publications, and I was asked to review articles. One day an article came to me about Exploding Planets. I thought 'well I can disprove this in a few hours', and set the paper aside. Then I tried to disprove it, and, to my surprise, I couldn't! In fact, the more I worked on the hypothesis, the more data seemed to be in agreement. Ultimately I started publishing the results. One day the chief of the Lab came to me and said 'You are bringing down the reputation of the lab by these papers about exploding planets. You must either stop publishing, or leave the Lab.' So, I left the lab."
I'm back to say that I have the highest admiration for those who will do what is required of a reputable, good scientist-- to follow the beliefs where-ever the facts lead. And Tom proved his quality as a top-level, elite scientist who is willing to put his beliefs up against "the common-place scientist" who follows the orthodox, approved banality of "Big Bang", "expanding universe", "warped space", etc. Tom's abilities, and his accomplishments were of the highest caliber. He will be missed, and the insights he had yet to offer us, means our lives are a bit less-- though we cannot know in what way. But, here's a message to you, Tom: "Thanks for all you did, Tom! Few could do it, and none in your way. Yours was a life well-lived! Let's meet on the other side of Andromeda, racing ahead to find out new, interesting things about this marvelous universe!" Sincerely, Don L. Jewett, M.D., D.Phil. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

Reply author:fleetcommander

Replied on:29 Apr 2009 04:49:31

Message:

Hello Friends,

yesterday I opend MetaResearch, I havn`t visited the webpage for quite a while, and needed to read that Tom VanFlandern has passed. I want express my condolence to his family and his friends.

I owe him much - he opend my mind for aether physics and new cosmology. His calculations of the speed of gravity confirmed my presumption to be on a good way - beyond Einstein.

By hindsight he was a pioneer in alternative physics. I guess most of us wont forget him, his work and his passion for the truth.

His work on earth was done and now he will earn the eternal life in which most of us do believe in.

I bow my head

Roland

(sorry for my english I am german dude)

 

Reply author:Messiah

Replied on:09 May 2009 09:00:57

Message:

Tom now knows the secret of one of the greatest mysteries of life.

I will miss his no-nonsense approach that I find so lacking in the rest of the conventional scientific community.

Fare ye well, gentle soul.

I'd procrastinate, but I can't seem to find the time

 

Reply author:Dangus

Replied on:22 Jan 2010 06:31:26

Message:

In the public library a few years ago I ran across Tom's book, and the idea of pushing gravity, no big bang, no dark matter, and more than one exploded planet. It was brave to publish such ideas in the face of such arrogance in the "established scientific community". Maybe even more brave were his theories on life on Mars. I admit I disagreed with a lot of his Mars theories, but I will challenge anyone who says he was wrong to ask the questions he did. Closed minds never find anything beyond what they have accepted as truth. Tom never made that mistake. Even when he was wrong, he was right to challenge our assumptions. I do not believe in death, but as he has lost this body, I wish him a good path forward into the next experience. He helped me think more freely, and that is one of the greatest gifts you can give a being.

I hope that Meta Research will live on. I hope that they continue to be controversial, continue to question things we have been told to accept as hard fact. Through this continued science, an extremely important part of who Tom was will grow and help more people. A person is a lot of things, and not everything Tom is dead, just the body. What we've actually lost with his passing is for us to decide.

----------------------

"Regret can only change the future" -Me

"Every judgment teeters on the brink of error. To claim absolute knowledge is to become monstrous. Knowledge is an unending adventure at the edge of uncertainty." Frank Herbert, Dune 1965

 

Reply author: evolivid

Replied on:19 Oct 2013 00:32:18

Message:

I would like to say sorry to Larry for
being mean too you, I know you work hard
at what you do, and you could save us one day...
Thank you ...
-Mark

MARX

 

Paradoxes Resolved, Origins Illuminated : https://metaresearch.org/meta-forum/news-and-information/1273-condolence-messages