It's with a heavy heart that I must tell you my dear Ian suffered a
massive heart attack this morning, and passed away around 10:30 MDT.
Plans are pending. He will be missed.
Elaine
I don't know what to say Elaine. It's hard to believe- my first thought was
it can't be true. His dry sense of humour and ability to cut to the heart of
the matter will be greatly missed in this group.
I don't know how you must be feeling. I'm sure you are finding it hard to
believe as well.
Take care- I'll be thinking about you.
Neb (James)
Elaine, this is truly a horrible day. I am deeply sorry. I considered
him a friend. I will sorely miss him.
Elaine, I am so saddened to hear this. I have sat here numb, thinking
what to write. I never met Ian but would have liked to. He struck me as
a passionate, learned, interesting person. His compassion often drew him
unwarranted comments. He rose above it and stuck to what mattered to
him. Indeed he will be missed.
Kevin.
I've been sitting here, staring at the screen and completely at a loss. The
words just don't make sense..
I'm so sorry Elaine - we're all going to miss him. I don't think I've ever
cried for anyone I'd never met, before this.
Lesley Robertson
You are not alone. I spent hours talking with him on skype (he got me
started), but had never met him. Now I never will, in this lifetime at
least.
The numbness seems to have worn off now and the pain has begun.
> Lesley Robertson
>
>
I am utterly at a loss for words.
Let me know if there is anything I--or any of us--can do.
In deepest sympathy,
Jane Margaret
Indeed he will. This is a shock. Even though I never met him, would have
liked to some day. Such was his contribution to this newsgroup.
Flailing about in an attempt to deal with this sudden sad news, I have
found his website again--I'll just post the cite for those folks who
haven't seen it, so that we can share what remains (at least for the
moment) of Ian Morrison's life and extensive talents:
http://www.iomorrison.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/index.htm
JML
Jings, first time I've been back to s.c.s. for a couple of months.
Had many run-ins with Ian over independence but am still shocked and
saddened by his departure.
We once talked using voice conferencing and we stayed off politics.
He told me he was into meditation and yoga, and I believe he was quite
thin, which makes the manner of his demise all the more unfathomable.
Also he was the same age as me.
Said a wee goodbye to him tonight while walking the dogs under the full
moon.
Chic
I've bookmarked it. This site won't last for long, it should be saved
for posterity.
Oh, Elaine!!
I'm sitting here with tears running down my face.
He was a lovely, talented, intelligent man, with a wicked sense of humour.
He will, indeed, be missed.
Sheila
Total shock...
Please give my condolences to his Family.
It is not within the gift of most men to know the hour
of our passing. We live, we laugh, we love, we cry.
We attempt to leave things better than we found them
and at the end we pass beyond this present to a place
we hope we have merited by our life.
Godspeed...
IBM
This is very sad. For once I am at a loss as to what else to say. I will
play my pipes for him today. Beannachd leis.
Ruiseart.
--
RavensWing - Celtic folk music
http://members.optusnet.com.au/~ravenswingmusic/index.html
New CD "Timeline" available NOW
Gaelic Druid Order of the Southern Cross
http://www.geocities.com/gdosc/
> This is very sad. For once I am at a loss as to what else to say. I will
> play my pipes for him today. Beannachd leis.
>
> Ruiseart.
I think its a shame that we often don't realise who someone really is, or
what they have to offer, until they've moved on. I've just looked at Ian's
website and must confess that I feel a little ashamed.
Elaine
I sit here in utter disbelief, I cannot find the words to say how sorry I'am
at Ian's passing.
Joyce
Ian's black and white photographs are the best I have ever seen. A
perfectionist in every respect. I am very sorry Elaine please pass on
my regards
John
Manchester
Elaine very sorry to hear this news. Ian was still young and it's so very
sad. Claire and I are both thinking of you.
Allan
Ye gods!!!!!!!!!! I'm dumbfounded!!! What can I say!
Mike
I am devastated by this terrible news.
He and I had a long standing banter
about never having met and my avoidance
'tactics'.
I regret having left it too late.
Glenallan / Boabby/ Hector.
------------------------------------------
We've all lost a dear friend. Just a few weeks ago, I saved one of Ian's
watercolours as a wallpaper...
Marjana
Dear Elaine, I'm sitting here in tears for you both at 5.15 am, having
been up all night working and deciding to take a break in scs. I felt
the blood drain from my face when I read your message.
I "met" him only once when we spoke for about an hour on Skype a
couple of months ago.
Although Ian and I fought a lot, we also had a correspondence going
for a long time as I once lived literally next door to his museum on
Chamber Street near Greyfriars Kirkyard. And about two weeks ago we
finally declared a truce; so at least I don't have that on my
conscience.
Poor Ian, to be taken from us so early when he was enjoying his
retirement so much.
My dear, you must be in dreadful shock. I'll call you in a little
having regard to the time zones and whatever rest I hope you're
getting to see if you're up and about, as I presume you won't be going
to work and I don't have your work number.
Much love and be strong, dear Chip. You must be exhausted. What a
horrifying experience for you... My heart hurts for you. I can hardly
believe such dreadful news, especially as he seemed so fit.
Meesh.
The Highlander
Faodaidh nach ionann na beachdan anns
an post seo agus beachdan a' Ghàidheil.
The views expressed in this post are
not necessarily those of The Highlander.
--
Karl-Heinz
Since I got this news early this morning, a voice in the back of my head
has been screaming "NO! NO! NOOOOOO! Itsnotrightitsnotrightitsnotright!"
I had a deep regard for Ian, a man who would not suffer either fools or
intolerance gladly. Historian, photographer, animal lover... This
group, and this world, were so much richer for having had him.
--
Joe Makowiec
http://makowiec.org/
Email: http://makowiec.org/contact/?Joe
I missed the first postings then I thought some thing was wrong. I not
suspect that anything could be this wrong.
I am at a loss to write anything useful. I shall certainly miss the
grumpy dry old sod. And his photos
Unbelievable.
He died among friends. The most anyone can hope for..
>
--
Bryn
Brian Fraser Lovett
Elaine Goldberg wrote:
>
> As many of you know, Ian O. Morrison came to Colorado on Tuesday for a
> month's vacation that was to have included a side trip to the music
> festival in Kansas next week.
>
> It's with a heavy heart that I must tell you my dear Ian suffered a
> massive heart attack this morning, and passed away around 10:30 MDT.
> Plans are pending. He will be missed.
Mike just phoned me with the news this morning
and "stunned" seems to be the only word which
fits my current state of mind and I think it's
going to be a while before the reality sinks in...
He'll be sorely missed.
Deirdre
>
>As many of you know, Ian O. Morrison came to Colorado on Tuesday for a
>month's vacation that was to have included a side trip to the music
>festival in Kansas next week.
>
>It's with a heavy heart that I must tell you my dear Ian suffered a
>massive heart attack this morning, and passed away around 10:30 MDT.
>Plans are pending. He will be missed.
>
My sympathies to his family and friends. He was one of the people who
kept us relatively civilised.
--
_______
+---------------------------------------------------+ |\\ //|
| Charles Ellson: cha...@e11son.demon.co.uk | | \\ // |
+---------------------------------------------------+ | > < |
| // \\ |
Alba gu brath |//___\\|
Elaine, thank you for sharing this very sad news.
Ian and I have been friends since 1996, I have spent some time
on occasion visiting him, the cats, and Sally in Scotland, and
we had great fun driving around on my search for castles and
such. Ever patient, ever funny, ever knowledgable, with a true
twinkling blue eye to the universe. For many years we have
had email back and forth, though all the lifes tribulations we have
shared thoughts and advice, and I know I valued his advice and
thoughts on matters more than anyone else I have ever known.
This past April we spent a week driving around Pictish places,
I will now have even a greater reason to cherish the wonderful
time I had then.
I am beyond sad right now, and I, among others, will miss him
truly. I feel lost.
If someone knows how I can contact his sister, Sheila, and
his two nephews,I would appreciate it, I wish to send my
condolences.
georgette
This is shocking. It's hard to believe. He was such a character here.
It is a very sad day for all at SCS. Sheila's website can be found here,
with email address on home page, if this helps -
http://www.perryweb.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/
Have taken a snapshot of the entire site, in case it becomes unavailable
in future. With his family's permission of course, anyone could then re-host
it.
This is the first time in a long while that I have looked in on scs.
Jim Woodard informed me of Ian's passing. I had been thinking about him
the past couple of days and wondering when he would be returning to
Colorado. Although I never met him, we had corresponded a few times. I
had hoped to meet him on one of his trips here. Now I know it will not
be in this life.
I will miss him. As will we all.
Stan
Glad to hear that.
>
>
--
Bryn
Yes!
I admit it!
I am the man who shot Bambi's Mum....
And then later I ate some of her body parts....
Thanks Ian.
>
>
--
Bryn
Regarding his website, he was already in the process of moving it to my
web server at http://fizzypop.v.servelocity.net/ian/ . I'll discuss
this with my mother and brother, but assuming they agree I would like
to complete the move and keep it there as a tribute to him as the
blueyonder site won't stay up very long.
James
That sounds like an excellent idea. Ian's photography was much admired
here and it would be a shame if it were all to vanish without trace.
It would be superfluous to repeat what you have already read in the
posts above, but your uncle was a much respected man in our group. The
shock of his leaving has affected us deeply and it goes without saying
that our sympathy and support for you and your family comes from our
hearts, not from conventional expressions of regret and condolence.
As it must be with you, I'm sure, a feeling of incredulous disbelief
is the prevalent emotion and that can be measured by the fact that
yesterday, apart from messages of shock and dismay. this is the first
time in over ten years that I have seen no messages on any other
subject posted by the regulars here; a halt that is a true mark of
respect.
The importance of the moment has, if you like, created a sad silence
which says more about our feelings than any overt expression of
regret. For this group, it is a highly significant event which will
overshadow our activities for some time to come.
A’ h-uile latha sona dhut; gun lath’ idir dona dhut.
Good luck to you every day; no day of sorrow to you.
You speak for us all Highlander, thank you. Kevin.
Besides his website, we have over 6,000 posts to remember him by.
http://groups.google.co.uk/groups/profile?enc_user=RG1AVBYAAACFQy64AaFRP1
nAhy0NviiznwEf4JDN8RlQbuZXAVrhxA
Clearly, soc.culture.scottish was his favourite.
--
Craig Cockburn ("coburn"). M.Sc., CITP, CEng
Owner, http://www.siliconglen.com/
Home to the first online guide to Scotland, founded 1994.
Scottish blog, FAQ, weddings, website design, stop spam and more!
Craig
This would be a perfect reason to implement this idea
http://www.cambrianhouse.com/idea-warz/idea-promoter/ideas-id/M6tLn2N/
Read the description and the praise it received, then see how
appropriate the description applies to Ian's fine work.
Any votes for the idea will bring it one step nearer to being
implemented.
>He wasn't very old, was it 55?
Yes. Here is a rough draft of the obituary details, which will be pared
down for the newspapers:
Born 17th November 1950 in Hove, Sussex - his father was then a
chemistry lecturer at Brighton College of Technology.
In 1952 the family moved to Wormit, a small village in North East Fife
and his father became head of the chemistry department at Dundee College
of Technology.
He attended Wormit Primary School and then Madras College, St Andrews.
He was interested in science and appeared on tv during the 1960s in a
programme called 'Science Fair' where he and some classmates
demonstrated a project to test radioactivity in milk. In his spare time
he was a fanatical stamp collector.
Ian went to the University of Edinburgh where he studied geology. He
enjoyed the field trips to remote places such as the Scottish islands.
During his time at Edinburgh there were student demonstrations which he
joined in with enthusiasm, and he was also active in setting up the
charity Shelter, which aimed to provide homes for the homeless.
After graduating in (?) 1973, Ian got a job in Kilmarnock
(Scotland) as a museum curator. From there he moved to Southport,
Lancashire, where he met and married Christina Burton. After a few years
they moved to Forres, Morayshire (Scotland) and he was in charge of a
group of local museums. It was during this time that he became
interested in computers, and pioneered computerised cataloguing of
museum objects (documentation). He became well-known in this field and
in (?) 1987/1988 he moved to a job as Scottish Museums Documentation
Officer, which was based in the National Museums of Scotland but which
involved travelling around other Scottish museums helping them to get
started with computers and advising on standards. This brought him into
contact with other museum professionals across the UK, and he was active
in various national groups such as the Museum Documentation Association.
He was also an active trade union member.
Ian retired from museum work in 2004 and planned to spend his retirement
developing his photographic skills and travelling.
> In message <26307-450...@storefull-3115.bay.webtv.net>, Elaine
> Goldberg <ElaineF...@webtv.net> writes
>
>>
>> As many of you know, Ian O. Morrison came to Colorado on Tuesday for a
>> month's vacation that was to have included a side trip to the music
>> festival in Kansas next week.
>>
>> It's with a heavy heart that I must tell you my dear Ian suffered a
>> massive heart attack this morning, and passed away around 10:30 MDT.
>> Plans are pending. He will be missed.
>>
> He wasn't very old, was it 55?
>
Yes. He would have turned 56 later this year. He had the enthusiasm
and energy of a considerably younger man.
He (and Sally) gave me a lift from Edinburgh up to the north coast last
year - Melness was his first stop on a photographic safari which
involved a fair amount of camping. Wild camping in Sutherland is not
for wimps!
Sheila
Ian did indeed graduate in 1973, he mentioned it not long ago in thread
about another Edinburgh Zuni geologist. I believe it was started by Jane.
I'll miss Ian's gentle teasing about the parsimony of we Fifers. His dry
sense of humour was a constant source of pleasure for me and Cardinal Lin
Dores was definitely a big favourite of mine.
He'll be missed for his kindness to genealogists who wandered into scs in
search of the location of the birthplaces of their ancestors. Ian could
generally come up with reqired information. He could also always be relied
on for answering questions about visiting various places from would-be
visitors to Scotland.
I'll cherish all the photographs that he allowed me to copy from his
website. I told him many times that he had a good eye for a photograph and
he proved that to us time after time. I was glad when he took up painting
again since he seemed to have inherited a 'painting gene' from his Dad.
I seem to recall reading this somewhere, To live in the hearts of those we
leave behind is not to die.
Looks like a good idea to me. So I voted up the score by one. It now
stands at -5. What level pushes it to the next stage?
A related idea I've considered for a while is some kind of hardware
device which will permanently record digital images and text onto microfilm,
straight from computer file, for very long term storage. Such media would
retain both analogue and digital versions of the same content; analogue for
viewing on a simple microfilm screen; digital for decoding the original
document/image without loss of quality, using easily understood formats
(bitmaps, ascii etc). Such formats could be defined with ordinary text in
the analogue portion, for the sake of clarity to future generations.
The idea would be to guarantee future access to such information, even
if high-end technology becomes widely unavailable (due to war, energy
shortage, societal changes, etc.). Of course, the actual microfilm material
would have to be very robust. Perhaps something encapsulated in glass would
survive countless millenia.
> I seem to recall reading this somewhere, To live in the hearts of those we
> leave behind is not to die.
Originally written by Thomas Campbell (1777-1844) of Glasgow--his life
story can be found here
http://www.slainte.org.uk/scotauth/campbdsw.htm
stay well
JML
http://groups.google.co.uk/group/soc.culture.scottish/msg/f276d8078a42497
4
Thank you ma'am :) I couldn't be bothered looking for a source. I'm glad
it wasn't off by too much.
http://www.policememorial.org.uk/NPMD/National_Police_Memorial_Day_2004.htm
Quote from "Hallowed Ground" by Thomas Campbell, Scottish Poet
(1777-1844).
"TO LIVE IN HEARTS WE LEAVE BEHIND IS NOT TO DIE"
Cheers, Helen
I was looking for precisely such a list (of Scottish authors, that is),
but this list, from the Scottish Library Association is for
authors of the past. (In order of birth date, Alistair MacLean
born in 1922 is second from the end of the list.)
Anyone know where there's a list of contemporary Scottish authors?
Raise a glass with me, my friends, to the memory of Ian Morrison.
Dear Elaine, I have sent you my cell phone number in an email. Use it
so much as you need or want.
Sadly,
-Melin
If you just choose "All Categories" and click on "Submit" you'll get a list
of 503 names and you can click on a writer's name for more information about
them
http://www.scottishbooktrust.com/cocoon/sbt/view/1/145/280
Ian would be pleased we're on topic for Scottish culture for a change ;-)
Cheers, Helen
Yeah, thanks. I probably should pursue this in depth another
time. The site has a list of aspiring writers. I'm looking for a
list of published writers who have achieved some measure of success
in -- I don't know of any other way to gauge it -- *sales*. They
can't all be J. K. Rowling or Irvine Welsh, neither of whom are
on this list. (Or is Rowling even considered Scottish? I guess
she arrived recently. I may've even beaten her to Edinburgh, and
I'm not Scottish at all!) Dorothy Dunnett, who died only a few
years ago, might be the sort of person I have in mind. Or
another, who sadly, morosely is now in the same state, Muriel
Spark. But you get the idea.
I see Wikipedia does have a largish entry for "Scottish writers,"
which are actually links to separate biographical articles.
Will have to go back and read in full. I have my reasons.
Thank you James, I am sure Ian would appreciate you keeping
the website alive in his memory for us that miss him. Of course,
he would probably make some sort of funny remark about it too...
georgette
More importantly, the Group has lost one of the few, true voices of
reason, culture and kindness.
Alan Blacklock
Alan
> As many of you know, Ian O. Morrison came to Colorado on Tuesday for a
> month's vacation that was to have included a side trip to the music
> festival in Kansas next week.
>
> It's with a heavy heart that I must tell you my dear Ian suffered a
> massive heart attack this morning, and passed away around 10:30 MDT.
> Plans are pending. He will be missed.
>
> Elaine
My dear friend Elaine, what can I say ?
I know since you wrote the above that some weeks have passed.
I have not been near any newsgroup for many months, but to-night, for some
reason I decided to look into scs.
When I read the above, what a shock!!
I always enjoyed Ian's comments and the valuable contribution he made to
the group.
Even though I did not read the scs group for some time, I still looked into
Ian's website on a regular basis.
From the various photos, I could see he was enjoying his retirement.
I am still in shock, and words are hard to form on the cold screen of a
computer.
Just to let you know you are in my thoughts and prayers.
SammyM
Four words which say so much, he will indeed.
There are times when one has, purely by chance, the opportunity
to have what may possibly be the "last word" in a thread.
We returned home today (Friday 29th) after six weeks away
to find an answerphone message from Elaine about the loss
of Ian. Too late unfortunately to make the Memorial Service.
Imagine, his final act being getting *me* to visit Embra !
I have now read all the messages of sympathy and support
which have been posted in response to Elaine's terrible news,
both from regulars and intermittent posters. I appreciate that
A W-S has gone "walkabout" and will, as yet, be unaware
of our loss.
And I choose the word carefully . . . it is "OUR" loss.
Unlike some, I did have the pleasure of meeting Ian several times
and also indulged in much verbal sparring over his "alternative,
Easy scs" website (now gone, alas).
He was, "a scholar and a gentleman" with a rapier like
sense of humour, the dryness of which was lost on some.
I too shall miss his presence here . . .
"For in and out, above, below
'Tis nothing but a magic shadow show
Played in a box whose candle is the sun
Round which we phantom figures come and go"
Rest in peace, old friend.
-- jj