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

Some of you may have known PedanticBarSteward.

He wrote for , and we used to play lexulous on facebook.

Yes, it is past tense that I use. I hadn't heard from him for a while, but that wasn't unusual, so I didn't worry at first. But when our lexulous games today changed from 'nudge James' to 'inactive' I thought I'd leave him a message on facebook to ask how he was. I found a post on his wall (from Tuesday afternoon) reading:

This is [], one of James brothers in the England. We are all completely shocked by what has happened but glad that James had such good friends in Morocco. Thank you for your condolences.

I didn't take it in at first, so I wrote his brother a message asking him to assure me that James is not dead. Yes, I 'was' in denial, I still am somehow!

Then I had a look at other posts on his wall and found one reading:

We have just learned with great emotion the death of (Hamid) James Leonard-Williams
We wish to express our sorrow, and we assure you of our friendship.
We extend our most sincere feelings.

my condolences to the Moroccan family and to the england too
we lost a freindly neighbor :'(

That one was from Tuesday morning.

I know it is silly, but part of me still does not want to believe that he is dead. We were very close friends, and I cannot for the life of me imagine what happened and why.

I didn't know him well, but I've run across him here on hootoo from time to time. I remember him as witty.

Sorry you've lost a friend, Bel.

TRiG.

He was a remarkable man, with a quite amazing life story which he wrote up in the Post. I'm really shocked, as we exchanged e-mails a week or two ago and he was fine. I shall miss him a lot.

(e-mailed you, Bel)

Oh, Bel. Like you, I can't believe what I'm reading.

I know you were very close to James, and you also have my deepest sympathy for the loss of such a good friend.

My most sincere condolences go to James's family and friends.

lil xx

I didn't know him, but I am still sorry to hear of this loss. and for Bel.

Thanks.

It seems PBS (as I used to call him on here) died as a result of a fire. Nothing more seems to be clear at this stage. His brother promised to keep me updated.

I can't really express how angry I am besides being sad and feeling a terrible loss. Angry at whoever/whatever caused the fire.

Want can you say at a time like this .

Thank you all.

If it hadn't been for facebook, I would never have known! Just imagine that. Now all I can do is hope his wife is alive and well, and his 'daughter'. She wasn't his daughter, but he considered her to be his daughter.

for Bel, for PedanticBarSteward.

I wonder if we shouldn't build up a tribute page for all departed Researchers.

Thank you all.

I will write an obit for him. It will hopefully help me to come to grips with what happened. I think Gnomon started a page for our deceased friends somewhere.

What horrible news. I didn't know him well but am very sad for Bel and those of you who have lost a good friend and for his family.

Oh Bel, I'm so, so sorry.

I'd chatted a few times with him and am gutted that we again have news of the death of another friend. I hope he didn't suffer.

I liked his Tales of Benshasha column in

So did I. I created a google page for the photos he sent me.

I must go now, we'll meet some friends tonight. I'm not in the mood, but I hope it will distract me a little.

Think of him often, Bel. I know the two of you had a wonderful friendly rivalry when it came to writing, whether vignettes or poetry. His style and wit often prompted others to stretch further in their own abilities, as if in effort to reach his prowess. It will truly be a gap in our conversations without his commentary to make us think and rethink a situation.

Be well, Bel. Take heart. Keep his memory alive. We are here for the shoulder to cry on when it's time.

B4thepangsoflossbegin

Bel, and to his family and friends.

Particularly and PBS.

You will be missed.

MMF

Oh, lord, Bel, that's terrible news.

I'm sorry to hear it. I hope maybe we can find out more. If anybody gets in touch with his family, our best wishes and sympathies go out to Fatima and her daughter.