h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Just got news left on my voicemail, no less, that one of the VPs of my Cactus Club has died over the weekend. He was in his 50s I'd say, but we didn't really know his age. He was kind of a mystery. He never talked about his personal life. My Treasurer got the news on her voicemail this morning from Alan's brother.

There are so many problems with this, I can't begin to list them. First off, I liked him. He wasn't for everyone, but I did like him. He is the last person I'd expect to hear of his death. He was in good shape. We don't know how he died yet. I don't know if we'll be privy to that information. This is all wrong.

Thanks Amy.

I learned that Alan committed suicide.

Oh gosh

HBF.

What a shock. Please don't blame yourself.

For Alan

what a tragic loss

I can't imagine what you are feeling right now, lots of things probably. I'm not sure that this point of time that words are of much comfort, at least any I can come with

I can offer an ear to listen if you want one and most certainly a

my condolences HBJ

My condolences, too. This was obviously a case of still waters running deep. Who knows what he was going through.

I'm so sorry for this news, HBFJ. It seems as if your Cactus Club is something you get a lot of joy from and to have this shadow cast over it, and to lose someone you liked, is horrible I'm sure.

Suicide seems so much worse than any other kind of death, leaving so many questions. And so many people wondering if they could have helped. The answer is probably that no, they couldn't, but the question still gets asked repeatedly.

Judging from previous comments to this, you have several of us who are more than ready to listen if you want to vent . So feel free.

Deb

Sorry for your loss HBFJ

It's a terribly confusing time. The incident that brought on the suicide made the local paper. Apparently, Alan was having an argument with a neighbor at his condo and the police were called. Alan became agitated and attacked the police and was tased, but managed to get away into the condo. By the time the found him in a basement area of the condo, he'd hanged himself. Sorry to get so graphic here. The comments under the article were less than charitable towards Alan. Apparently, he was not popular with his neighbors and had actually been arrested for assault of some of them. Clearly he was very unstable and not getting help. We had no idea.

Thanks everyone, for your thoughts.

Must be difficult, and confusing, to learn things about his life now and to reconcile with the Alan you knew.
I'm so sorry he didn't get the help he needed and his life ended this way