Re: Colin Douthwaite logs off

Ian Douthwaite, daring just once to use his Dad's account 
without his permission wrote:

>As some of you may have heard, Colin Douthwaite, my father, died 
>suddenly but peacefully on 1 March 1999.

Ian,

Thank you for posting that, and my sincere condolences to you 
and all your family. Colin also participated in other groups,
and below is a post I made earlier today ( before I saw your 
message ) to sci.chem - where Colin once was much more active 
than he was recently, but who still lurked until last year, 
at least, and whose efforts to keep our group informal and 
diverse were greatly appreciated.

 Bruce Hamilton


Subject : Colin Douthwaite R.I.P.

According to an announcement on a NZ Usenet group, Colin Douthwaite
died on the first of March. He had previously had heart problems, and
wasn't a spring chicken, but I haven't seen details of his death - yet.

The reason that this group is still called sci.chem, not sci.chem.misc
is due in large part to Colin's perpetual battles with the new.groups
fascists attempts to impose *.*.misc where ever they could replace
*.* - usually as part of any new subgroup creation process.

Colin fought the creeping miscism as hard and as diligently as he 
could, and was heroic in his defence of sci.chem. I recall his struggles 
inspired many of us to repel their last assault on this group's name 
- even though they dragged all their dark forces from the new.groups 
lairs - people who had never posted on chemistry to sci.chem.

Colin was a long time contributer to sci.chem. Early on, his humorous
ascii art, and recipes for making fun things like huge bubbles using 
simple home chemicals, provided a levity and playfulness that sadly 
seems to have disappeared from the group. I doubt DejaNews has 
captured many, as he was most active in the early years of the group,
especially with helpful ideas to amuse and educate.

For the last few years, he mainly lurked, occasionally popping 
up to either belligerently defend the sci.chem name and diversity,
or subtly prick some pomposity, and often responded only in email.
 
He will be sorely missed by those of us who remember the sci.chem
naming wars, and the joy of ascii art. He always ended with 

" Bye, "

and I'm sure I'll see some great ascii art appear on the sky 
canvas above, with that immortal signature below. 

God speed, Colin, thanks for all your efforts, without which there 
would be no sci.chem today. 

        Bruce Hamilton

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