Frank Kabel: A Sad Day for the Excel Community

[Norman Harker]

Hi Everyone!

The heading expresses our distress at a loss to the community of
Excel.

It is with the greatest of sadness that I must report the news that
Frank Kabel has died in a tragic accident whilst on holiday in his
home country of Germany.

I'm afraid that at this stage, whilst the news has been confirmed from
his employers, we know nothing more. It falls to me to try and do
justice to a good mate on behalf of Bob Phillips, Ron de Bruin and all
of Frank's other many "Excel friends".

Frank was not only a very major contributor to these newsgroups but he
was also a great innovative developer and friend to all. Despite
English being his second language his replies to public and private
correspondence were always well worth reading for content and charm.
It is difficult to believe that Frank only started posting to
newsgroups in late 2003 but his posts were immediately prolific and
helpful to all. At one stage Frank was such a prolific poster we even
thought that he was several people. It was difficult to comprehend how
he could compose so many excellent replies at such a high speed. Frank
was our newest MVP Excel and he achieved this recognition at the same
record speed that he was used to working at. It is distressing to
many outside Germany that we never got to meet him in person. Here
though is a photograph that we can remember him by.

http://www.jumper.ch/infos.htm

Many thousands will have benefited from his efforts to help and
educate; even more will benefit over the years from the time and
considerable energy that Frank devoted to developing and sharing his
knowledge. Bob Phillips, Ron de Bruin and I worked many hundreds of
hours with Frank on projects such as QDE (Quick Date Entry) and the
EasyFilter Addins. A pre-production Addin CFPlus being worked on with
Bob Phillips and giving the additional conditional formatting has only
happened because of Frank's energy and we know that he was very proud
of its concept and implementation. Frank also was driving,
contributing, and stimulating other projects and updates and we know
that Frank had so much more he wanted to give to the community of
Excel users. He was a great team player and we could guarantee high
speed, critical and friendly feedback. We will miss him not only for
his contributions but also for his humour and sincere friendship. He
enjoyed a Single Malt and a good cigar and lived, and gave of his
life, to the full.

We offer condolences to his family and friends at the loss of Frank at
such a young age. Frank came from Hamburg where his family still live
and had a long term girlfriend to whom we offer the sympathy that can
do little to make up for her loss.

We have all lost a good and sincere friend. Frank represented the very
highest of the traditions of these Excel Groups.

I have undertaken to ensure the collection and collation of responses
to this post both public and private and I will ensure a suitable
presentation to his family.

--
Regards
Norman Harker MVP (Excel)
on behalf of Bob Phillips, Ron de Bruin
Sydney, Australia
njha...@optusnet.com.au

[Michael Malinsky]

My deepest sympathies to Frank's family and girlfriend. If Frank was
anything like the person that helped us through his posts, then he was truly
an extraordinary man.

Enough said.

"Norman Harker" <njha...@optusnet.com.au> wrote in message
news:uWGnOtZ$EHA....@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl...

[carrera]

Oh my God!
Say this isn't true. Say this isn't a joke. How awful!

If this is so, he will be so missed by so many.

To his Family, I'm so sorry, Frank touched so many lives. My thoughts and
prayers are with you.

Are there any plans for an online memorial?
I know so many have been helped by him.
To all his friends "out there" let us stop for a moment to remember a
special person, dear to us all.

[Paul B]

Frank's knowledge and his willing to help others will be missed on the
newsgroups, it hard to believe Frank answered so many questions in a short
time span, Excel Newsgroup Postings,
http://www.contextures.com/xlngstats.html I know that I, and many others,
have learned a lot form his post. My deepest sympathies go out to Frank's
family and friends.

Paul B

--
Paul B
Always backup your data before trying something new
Please post any response to the newsgroups so others can benefit from it
Feedback on answers is always appreciated!
Using Excel 2002 & 2003

"Norman Harker" <njha...@optusnet.com.au> wrote in message
news:uWGnOtZ$EHA....@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl...

[GregR]

My deepest sympathies to Frank's family. My knowledge of excel is very
limited and what I have learned is through the generosity of the persona,
such as Frank and others. Frank you will forever be remebered by your Excel
friends.

Greg
"Paul B" <to_much_sp...@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:uuGO8Da$EHA....@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...

[tjtjjtjt]

I've only been coming to this community for a short time, but Frank's answers
have always been enlightening. He will be sorely missed.

tj

[quartz]

Frank helped me out countless times on this forum. I don't know what to say,
except, although I never met him, I feel as though I've lost a close friend.
My condolences to all close to him, my thoughts and prayers are with them.

[Domenic]

It is truly a sad day. My condolences go out to his family and friends.

He will be sorely missed.

In article <uWGnOtZ$EHA....@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl>,

[Tom Ogilvy]

Norman,
Thanks for sharing this information. Frank will truly be missed and I
express my condolences to his family, friends and those of us who have
benefited from his selfless generosity. It certainly is a sad day and a day
of great loss for all in this community.

--
Tom Ogilvy

"Norman Harker" <njha...@optusnet.com.au> wrote in message
news:uWGnOtZ$EHA....@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl...

[Jim Thomlinson]

My sincerest condolences to Frank's familly. If the patience and generosity
Frank always displayed in sharing his time and knowledge on this forum is any
indication of the man, then the world is a poorer place for this tragic loss.

[RWN]

I'm very sorry to hear this.
He was on my "trust this guy's advice" list.

--
Regards;
Rob
------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Norman Harker" <njha...@optusnet.com.au> wrote in message
news:uWGnOtZ$EHA....@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl...

> Hi Everyone!
>
> The heading expresses our distress at a loss to the community of
> Excel.
>
> It is with the greatest of sadness that I must report the news that
> Frank Kabel has died in a tragic accident whilst on holiday in his
> home country of Germany.
>

<snip>

[Rob van Gelder]

Norman,

I'm shocked and sad to know it.
Frank was a real talent and always happy to share his knowledge.

My thoughts go out to his family.

We'll miss and remember him.

Rob

"Norman Harker" <njha...@optusnet.com.au> wrote in message
news:uWGnOtZ$EHA....@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl...

[RB Smissaert]

Hard to believe this. He only helped me out on the last day of 2004.
Like most people on this forum I never met Frank, but this really makes
me feel sad.
Condolences to all his family, friends and colleagues.

RBS

"Norman Harker" <njha...@optusnet.com.au> wrote in message
news:uWGnOtZ$EHA....@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl...

[N10]

"Norman Harker" <njha...@optusnet.com.au> wrote in message
news:uWGnOtZ$EHA....@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl...

My condolencies to Franks family. This news saddend me immensly. A man of
staure and wisdom has been taken.

N10

[Fredrik Wahlgren]

My deepest sympathies to Frank's family, girlfriend and friends.
Unfortunately, this year has had a bad start. I recently found out that a
former colleague of mine along with her husband, toddler, father and mother
are missing since the tsunami. And then a neighbour passed away from cancer.
Frank's death makes things worse. They were all very giving people.

/Fredrik

"Norman Harker" <njha...@optusnet.com.au> wrote in message
news:uWGnOtZ$EHA....@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl...

[Robin Hammond]

My condolences to Frank's family. He embodied everything that is best about
this community, and all of us have benefitted from his tireless advice.

I have always been amazed at how much time and effort he was prepared to
devote to helping people with their problems, answering questions ranging
from the mundane to the truly arcane.

Robin Hammond.

[Ola]

My sympathies to Frank's family, girlfriend and friends.
I will miss his comments and know his contributions will be remembered.

Ola Sandstrom

[Jerry W. Lewis]

Sad and shocking news indeed. My condolences to his family and friends.
He will be missed.

Jerry

[Biff]

What a tragic loss.

My sincere condolences to his family and friends.

Frank was an absolute superstar in these groups. He will
be sorely missed and his devotion to help and educate will
probably never be duplicated. I often wondered if Frank
ever slept! He was by far the most prolific poster and
quite often he tackled the more difficult problems with
ease.

Bless your soul, Frank Kabel.

Norman, although the news is so sad, thank you for letting
us know.

P.S. - Norman, you're contributions have also been missed.

Biff

>.
>

[Max]

It was with great disbelief, a very heavy heart and an awful sense of LOSS
when the impact of Norman's post on Frank's tragic passing on finally sank
in. Friendly and cheerful, Frank's prolific responses and contributions to
the Excel newsgroups have benefited many, inclusive this writer.

My heartfelt condolences and sympathies to his family, loved ones and
friends

Frank will be sadly missed ...

(Thanks for the post, Norman
It's well composed and appreciated)

--
Rgds
Max
xl 97
---
GMT+8, 1° 22' N 103° 45' E
xdemechanik <at>yahoo<dot>com
----

[Robert]

Though I am new to this forum, it really makes me sad on Frank's
untimely demise. People like Frank and the others seem "full time" for the
benefit of the Excel users. My condolences to his family and surely God will
give him a better place for him for his unselfish attittude on earth. I hope
his family will be able to see how he contributed to this forum and also how
the users feel about Frank. (Often other family members are not aware of how
people like Frank are to the community and how the community in return
appreciates their contribution)

[Trying to excel in life but need help]

You can judge a person by the friends they gather through life. Friends
personify the contributions of time and talent that one gives to his or her
community.
Although I have only been on this discussion group for a short time I can
tell that this loss will be felt for a long time.

Please accept my deepest sympathy for Frank’s family, friends and all who
had the honour of knowing this giving soul.

Martin Kelly

[Peter T]

I am very saddened by the news Norman has given us. Having read so many of
Frank's posts it's impossible not to know something of him as a person.
Apart from being very good at what he did it is obvious he was a kind and
warm hearted man.

Over the coming years many new people will arrive to these Excel forums.
They too will get to know Frank and appreciate the vast legacy he has left
behind.

My sympathies to Frank's family and girlfriend, and also to his close
friends.

Norman - thank you for informing us, and for your very moving tribute.

Peter T (Thornton, UK)

[Lady Layla]

Deepest sympathies to his family and loved ones. He will be truly truly truly
missed here.

"Norman Harker" <njha...@optusnet.com.au> wrote in message
news:uWGnOtZ$EHA....@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl...

: Hi Everyone!

:
:

[Ron]

Very sad indeed,

Deepest sympathies to all.

[Connie Martin]

I am so shocked and so very sad indeed. I can't tell you how many times
Frank helped me in 2004. But it's not just the sadness of the loss of this
help that I express, it's the loss of such a young life, such a pleasant,
kind and patient person. My deepest sympathy to his family, girlfriend and
close friends.

Connie Martin

[Michel Pierron]

A quite sad news,
my deepest sympathies to Frank's family and friends.
MP

[Ken Wright]

This is tragic news for his family and our community. Frank was something
else, and absolutely tireless in his efforts to help others in here.
Nothing was too much trouble for him to tackle, and he always went the extra
mile. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

--
Regards
Ken....................... Microsoft MVP - Excel
Sys Spec - Win XP Pro / XL 97/00/02/03

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
May you rest in peace Frank - Our prayers are with you.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Norman Harker" <njha...@optusnet.com.au> wrote in message
news:uWGnOtZ$EHA....@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl...

[Shetty]

IT'S SHOCKING. IT'S REALLY SHOCKING.
LIKE MOST OF US, I NEVER MET HIM BUT ALWAYS GOT HIS HELP THRU THIS NG.
ALSO HE HELPED ME PERSONNALY TO SETUP MY LAST PROJECT.
MY DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
ITS A HUGE LOSS TO ALL OF US. GOD BLESS HIM.

REGARDS,
SHETTY.

[J_J]

I am so sad to hear this...
I wish patience to his family and friends all over the internet.
He was one of thouse guys that was always "there" to help.
J_J

[Billing Goddess]

Frank replied to my questions within minutes of submitting them, they were
always detailed helpful. His shoes will be virtually impossible to fill....

[Ajay]

Unbelievable I had never met Frank yet reading the message below knocked me
for 6. Anytime I searched for an answer to a problem there was usually a
response from Frank. For me seeing his name meant credibilty and the right
answer.
Reading the many responses demonstrates how much he will be missed my
sympathies to his family and friends and all who learned from him.
Regards
Ajay

[GerryK]

"Excel friendships" and continued support in this
newsgroup are a miracle; and when you read, and are
touched by Frank's many solutions and dedication, tell me
that Frank's brilliant mind and kindness is not a miracle
too!
My deepest condolences to Frank and family and to all of
his friends.

>.
>

[marcy]

I am saddened for us all by this loss. My hearfelt sympathies to his family
and friends. Frank helped us all and his presence will be sorely missed.

Marcy

[Jimbola]

Deeply saddened. My condolences to his family.

[IC]

Words alone can not express the sense of loss this community feels. Frank
was always ready to help, no matter how trivial the question seemed. He did
not judge anyone, but gave freely of his time and expertise. He will be
sorely missed. Reading the messages of condolence here, it is obvious that I
am far from alone in wishing his family comfort in this distressing time. I
do not know if Frank had a personal faith, but I pray that God will accept
him in Paradise and bless his family with His comforting prsence.

Ian

"Norman Harker" <njha...@optusnet.com.au> wrote in message
news:uWGnOtZ$EHA....@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl...

[Vasant Nanavati]

I have been away from the newsgroups for the last couple of months. I just
checked in today and was shocked and saddened to hear the news.

Although I never met Frank in person, I thought of him as a friend. I will
greatly miss his presence in the newsgroups, as well as his willingness to
help others and his sense of humor.

--

Vasant

[Carole O]

I can't stop crying! I could always depend on Frank for a quick (and even
personal) response. Today is my birthday, and I am so sad. Frank is the
epitome of MVP. I will miss him.

Carole Ostrander

[Hari]

Hi,

It was in April last year that I encountered a NG for the first time in
my life. Seeing the multiple replies by the same person I thought that
Frank Kabel was a Microsoft alias.

So prolific was he, that I remember a later post where the OP
complained about seeing majority of replies from a single person.

He has helped so many of us with his instant responses and to the point
answers that it's difficult to enumerate. I recollect posts where if a
solution proffered didnt work to OP's requirement, Frank would ask for
the workbook to be mailed. Such was his dedication.

For a few of my friends and colleagues who used to face a lot of
problems in Excel, Frank and NG were synonymous.

For me, Frank epitomised the spirit of NG. Years would pass but I would
recollect him greatfully for the solid support he rendered.

Iam wondering that, if Frank could touch so many of us strangers, then
what would he have been to people who knew him intimately. An
irreplaceable loss.

Regards,
Hari
India

PS: Somehow I had been posting a lot of queries in the last one month
but other than follow up on the replies to my posts, I didnt pursue any
new posts.

[John]

I've just heard today about Frank. I had received many numerous obliging
help and code from Frank over the last 18 mths. Franks way seemed to be if
he knew it and you didn't he wanted to educate you. He once said to me 'we
all learn something knew in Excel every day'

RIP

"Hari" <excel...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1107739798....@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...