Friends of Randy Berbaum
Mike Pritchard
I'm a friend of Randy Berbaum (his work supervisor), who I know has made
many trips to Disney World and frequented UseNet groups and more....just
about anything related to Disney.
I don't know Randy's usual "hangouts", but did find a couple of messages
he posted on this group. I'm hoping Randy's friends might see this and
pass this along to others.
I am very sad to report that Randy passed away suddenly, sometime Friday
night or very early Saturday morning. The coroner's preliminary report
suggests Randy suffered a massive heart attack, while in bed. An
autopsy is planned for today (Monday).
Randy dearly loved his Disney adventures. He lived for his semi-annual
trips. I was happy to approve extended vacations for him, so that he
could live his dream.
He was a great guy, whom I had the pleasure of working with for more
than 20 years.
We will miss him here...and I know his Disney friends will miss him,
too.
If any of Randy's friends would like more information, such as where to
send flowers or cards, please feel free to contact me directly. His
family says details regarding funeral arrangemnts will be made as soon
as the coroner releases Randy to his parents.
Thank You,
Michael Pritchard
Operations Manager
WILL Radio & Television
University of Illinois
(e-mail: m...@illinois.edu)
Mufassa
OMG!
signed
TDCMufassa
Keeper and Guardian of The Legend of the Lion King
Rudeney
Words cannot express my sadness. I just can't believe how quickly and
unexpectedly something like this can happen. It sure puts life into
perspective. Although I never had the pleasure of meeting Randy in
person, I considered him a friend. He probably the most kind and
helpful person on RADP. He certainly did love WDW. My prayers and
condolences go out to his family and friends. Randy, you will surely be
missed! :-(
--
- RODNEY
Next WDW Vacation?
Who knows...
Gloria in Miami
condolences may be sent when you have that information.
Gloria in Miami
"Mike Pritchard" <m...@uiuc.edu> wrote in message
news:4831A4E3...@uiuc.edu...
ElastiGirl
My first thought -- I hope this isn't true.
My second thought -- Oh Randy, You'll be missed.
EG
Caren
Noooo. Not Randy!
--
Caren
TDC Queen of Adventureland
A/B/C/E Floro
> I'm a friend of Randy Berbaum (his work supervisor), who I know has made
> many trips to Disney World and frequented UseNet groups and more....just
> about anything related to Disney.
> I am very sad to report that Randy passed away suddenly, sometime Friday
> night or very early Saturday morning. The coroner's preliminary report
> suggests Randy suffered a massive heart attack, while in bed.
OH, what a shock! :-(
I *just* returned from WDW (after midnight this morning). My family and
I have a tradition - we pause for a moment on the bridge by the
International Gateway in Epcot, and remember RADPers gone. Sadly, we'll
have another name to hold in our hearts on the bridge.
/Beth Floro
--
-- Dig out the potatoes to reply --
EllenGee61
will surely be missed. What a great boss to have gone out of his way to
contact his cyber-friends.
Ellen :(
JackM
out on the opportunity to meet a fine, gentle man and a good friend who
knew and loved Disney as much as anyone I ever knew. He posted
frequently to RADP for many, many years. He preferred it to the many web
boards and forums. He was as free with posting his personal opinions on
Disney matters as he was with answering trip planning questions over and
over again. And he never lost his great sense of humor.
Randy:
http://www.wvnh.net/radp/index.php?album=%2Fradp12%2F&image=radpbmags-01.jpg
Randy was the one who took the photos at the December RADP meets for
many years. He was the one who put the great RADP Big Meet and Greet
photo collages together and whose mastery of Photoshop allow him to make
the annual photo of the huge RADP Splash Mountain log. He was also the
one who until very recent years used to put together the elaborate
monorail setup right there inside his tent and on his tenting pad every
December at Fort Wilderness. People that never knew his name knew his
campsite every year.
I'm afraid I will never again be able to go into Trail's End at Fort
Wilderness without thinking of all the wonderful times we had there at
his yearly breakfasts over the years. And mini golf won't be quite the
same either.
The Disney community as a whole will be a lesser place as a result of
his loss. I am in complete shock. I feel as badly as if I had lost a
family member.
Jack
--
My email address on the header is a non-monitored spam catching account.
I can be reached via http://www.wvnh.net/contact.htm
The dates for the next RADP Meet are December 12-15, 2008 for RADP-XIII
(http://meets.radp.org).
Ginny Favers
Randy, you will be really missed around here. :-(
http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff76/ginnyfavers/101-0181_IMG.jpg
--
~Amanda
aka Ginny Favers, TCD Rescued Princess of Chickapin Hill
“I met the love of my life on the Seven Seas Lagoon”
Trip Reports at http://ginnyfavers.googlepages.com
Caren
> I feel like I just got kicked in the gut.
>
> Randy, you will be really missed around here. :-(
>
> http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff76/ginnyfavers/101-0181_IMG.jpg
>
cruise, great time.
Ginny Favers
And don't forget he had a GIANT cutlass!!! Sorry I didn't get a shot of
that!
Jen in Kentucky
>
> I am very sad to report that Randy passed away suddenly, sometime Friday
> night or very early Saturday morning.
I haven't been a regular poster here in years, but I still remember
meeting Randy at some of the first RADP meets back in 1998 and 1999.
He'll be missed!
Jen
used to have a college program website URL here, but it has finally been
taken down due to lack of updates - growing up, getting married, and
having kids has a way of making CP stuff obsolete!
Steve Russo
As soon as I saw this thread's title, something told me this was not
good news. Like many, I only knew Randy via his posts here. That was
enough to know what kind of man he was. The testimonials of those that
met and knew him drive it home further. He will certainly be missed.
My thoughts and prayers go to his family and friends.
hiddenmickey
you Will, for taking the time to let us know here at radp.
hiddenmickey
> Oh my gosh. Prayers and pixies to Randy's family and friends. Thank
> you Will, for taking the time to let us know here at radp.
I'm sorry Mike, that I called you Will.
LaurieJen
go to Trails End I will remember him. His monorail set up at Fort Wilderness
was admired by many. He will truly be missed at the RADP meets.
--
Laurie
"Mike Pritchard" <m...@uiuc.edu> wrote in message
news:4831A4E3...@uiuc.edu...
Caren
wrote:
>
> OH, what a shock! :-(
>
> I *just* returned from WDW (after midnight this morning). My family and
> I have a tradition - we pause for a moment on the bridge by the
> International Gateway in Epcot, and remember RADPers gone. Sadly, we'll
> have another name to hold in our hearts on the bridge.
>
I've always imagined that departed RADPers go to the Haunted Mansion.
Meerkat1
meerkat1
In article <4831A4E3...@uiuc.edu>, Mike Pritchard <m...@uiuc.edu>
wrote:
MajorWoody
family. RADP meets will not be the same without Randy. He was one of the
icons of the meets and this newsgroup, and was a pleasure to be around.
I'll say a prayer for him.
Take care,
Bill
Bob Me.
Please do keep us posted as to the arrangements. And I'm sure others have
said it here as well, but please pass on our collective condolences to his
family and friends.
--
Bob Me.
Please stand clear of the doors, por favor mantenganse alejado de las
puertas
To reply to me via email, remove the "spam_and_eggs." from my email address.
"Mike Pritchard" <m...@uiuc.edu> wrote in message
news:4831A4E3...@uiuc.edu...
Patty Winter
>he posted on this group. I'm hoping Randy's friends might see this and
>pass this along to others.
Mike, how thoughtful of you to seek out Randy's online friends and
pass along this sad news, at a time when you and his other colleagues
at WILL are having to deal with his untimely death yourselves.
I never met Randy in person, but he was one of the most prolific,
informative, and helpful posters here on RADP. I'm sure it wouldn't
have taken us long to notice his absence. It was kind of you to let
us know what happened.
Patty
dcdeb
>
> I am very sad to report that Randy passed away suddenly, sometime Friday
> night or very early Saturday morning.
:-(
I didn't know Randy well, but I'd met him numerous
times over the years at
RADP meets, and he was always such a sweetheart. And as Jack said, he
was a constant voice of reason on RADP -- he was part of RADP
for as long as I can remember... going back about 10 years now.
I can't imagine this place without him.
My condolences to his family and friends. I will be holding them
in my thoughts as they deal with this difficult time.
dcdeb
Lorli
wisdom of Disney and kindness to share says an awful lot about a person. My
thoughts and prayers to his family.
LinLee
This is indescribably shocking and sad news. It is going to take a while to
sink in. He will be sorely missed.
LinLee
A/B/C/E Floro
>> OH, what a shock! :-(
>>
>> I *just* returned from WDW (after midnight this morning). My family and
>> I have a tradition - we pause for a moment on the bridge by the
>> International Gateway in Epcot, and remember RADPers gone. Sadly, we'll
>> have another name to hold in our hearts on the bridge.
Caren:
> I've always imagined that departed RADPers go to the Haunted Mansion.
> --
> Caren
> TDC Queen of Adventureland
Caren - do you remember "Da Old Troll"? He "lived" under that bridge. I
think of different people at different places in the parks. As JackM
mentioned, Randy always will "be" at Trail's End for some of us.
www.bigbrian-nc.com
of guy Randy was, a real sweetheart of a guy, I also saw a lot of his
posts in the DisneyMonorailToy group (I passed on the information to
that group after hearing about this), it was a real pleasure getting to
meet and talk with Randy when I did finally get the chance to tour with
him in the October RADP meets, some go far too young, you just don't
find folks as eager to be helpful, and pleasant to hang out with every
day, he will be missed.
--
Brian Martsolf mart...@mindspring.com
Big Brian's Disney page www.bigbrian-nc.com
Postcards, Podcasts, and Trip Reports... Mousin' It Up! since 1997
Mindy Beane
that he put together after many of the RADP meets at Epcot.
Prayers and Pixie Dust to his friends and family
Min and Bill
Sonya In Disguise
> suggests Randy suffered a massive heart attack, while in bed. An
> autopsy is planned for today (Monday).
Mike,
This is indeed sad news. Although I only met him once, briefly, and therefor
mostly know him from his presence on the internet, I do know that he was a
well respected voice here on RADP. I have to admit also that I did visit his
campsite on several occassions, to see the wonderous monorail layout (and
chatted with him once about it).
My condolences to his family and friends.
Sonya (in disguise)
Judy
Thank you for posting this sad news. I never met him but am so
familiar with his posts that I feel like I knew him. On RADP, we make
a lot of friends, some we never meet, and their loss is never easy.
Judy
Sandi Femino
> Greetings:
>
> I'm a friend of Randy Berbaum (his work supervisor), who I know has made
> many trips to Disney World and frequented UseNet groups and more....just
> about anything related to Disney.
>
> I don't know Randy's usual "hangouts", but did find a couple of messages
> he posted on this group. I'm hoping Randy's friends might see this and
> pass this along to others.
>
> I am very sad to report that Randy passed away suddenly, sometime Friday
> night or very early Saturday morning. The coroner's preliminary report
> suggests Randy suffered a massive heart attack, while in bed. An
> autopsy is planned for today (Monday).
>
> Randy dearly loved his Disney adventures. He lived for his semi-annual
> trips. I was happy to approve extended vacations for him, so that he
> could live his dream.
>
> He was a great guy, whom I had the pleasure of working with for more
> than 20 years.
>
> We will miss him here...and I know his Disney friends will miss him,
> too.
>
> If any of Randy's friends would like more information, such as where to
> send flowers or cards, please feel free to contact me directly. His
> family says details regarding funeral arrangemnts will be made as soon
> as the coroner releases Randy to his parents.
>
> Thank You,
Mike,
Thank you for posting this for us. I am so very sorry to hear about
Randy's death. He has been a valued and longtime member of this group
and I hoped to meet in person at a meet one day. Is it possible for you
to collect the messages here and pass them on to Randy's parents and
family?
Randy,
I always enjoyed your photoshopped pics and the wonderful advice you
were always able to give to others who came here looking for information.
I considered you a cyber-friend and I pray you can now spend as much
time at WDW and FW as you want, now that you are
at your Trails's End.
--
GrumpyOne
>
> I'm a friend of Randy Berbaum (his work supervisor), who I know has made
> many trips to Disney World and frequented UseNet groups and more....just
> about anything related to Disney.
>
> I don't know Randy's usual "hangouts", but did find a couple of messages
> he posted on this group. I'm hoping Randy's friends might see this and
> pass this along to others.
>
> I am very sad to report that Randy passed away suddenly, sometime Friday
> night or very early Saturday morning. The coroner's preliminary report
> suggests Randy suffered a massive heart attack, while in bed. An
> autopsy is planned for today (Monday).
>
> Randy dearly loved his Disney adventures. He lived for his semi-annual
> trips. I was happy to approve extended vacations for him, so that he
> could live his dream.
>
> He was a great guy, whom I had the pleasure of working with for more
> than 20 years.
>
> We will miss him here...and I know his Disney friends will miss him,
> too.
>
> If any of Randy's friends would like more information, such as where to
> send flowers or cards, please feel free to contact me directly. His
> family says details regarding funeral arrangemnts will be made as soon
> as the coroner releases Randy to his parents.
>
> Thank You,
>
> Operations Manager
> WILL Radio & Television
> University of Illinois
> (e-mail: m...@illinois.edu)
This news has simply knocked the breath out of me. Thank you, Michael, as
others have said, for taking the time and making the effort to let us know.
Add me to the list of folks here who didn't have the pleasure of meeting
Randy in person, but who so appreciated his wisdom, kindness, and enthusiasm
for Disney. Prayers and pixie dust to his family and friends...
Kathy M.
Barry L. Wallis
have already said. Some people have online personae that are markedly
different from who they are. Randy did not. From what I have seen and
heard Randy was the same person online as he was in real life. He was
always helpful no matter what the question might be. It was a rare
privilege to have interacted with him, however briefly, over the seven
years I have been a part of r.a.d.p.
--
- Barry as TDC Sorcerer
- Magical Manager of the Mysteriously Missing Main Street Magic Shop
- Curator: The Disney Extinct Attractions Graveyard
- <http://www.flickr.com/groups/disney_graveyard/>
- Flickr photostream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/barrywallis/
- DLR Pictures: http://members.cox.net/dl.album
Barry L. Wallis
Well put Jack. I hereby nominate this as the official RADP eulogy. To be
reposted yearly so he is not forgotten.
Ginny Favers
Yup. Spanish Moss Lane. Loop 2000.
aksco33
> I feel like I just got kicked in the gut.
>
> Randy, you will be really missed around here. :-(
>
> http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff76/ginnyfavers/101-0181_IMG.jpg
>
> ~Amanda
> aka Ginny Favers, TCD Rescued Princess of Chickapin Hill
> “I met the love of my life on the Seven Seas Lagoon”
> Trip Reports athttp://ginnyfavers.googlepages.com
them. He will be missed. He was a nice guy. Amy
aksco33
My thoughts and prayers go out to all of Randy's friends. I met him
at a couple of RADP meets. He was always nice and helpful. He will
be missed. Amy
LisaB
I am so, so sad to hear this.
I consider myself fortunate to have met Randy a few times. I started
reading and posting in 1999 and also attended my first RADP meet in December
that same year. I must admit that I was a little intimidated to approach
the big group of people that I had never met before in person. Randy was
the first person to come up to me and start talking. He was very kind and
friendly. And of course I cannot forget how his (and I think Jack had to be
involved) Pirate Barge tried to swamp our pontoon after the Illuminations
cruise as they rode by waving swords and shouting "ARRRR!"
I'll be thinking of Randy when I'm watching Illuminations this December. He
has been a great friend on RADP and will definitely be missed.
--
Lisa
TDC Ping, Royal Heroine Warrior
Grand Imagineer of the Trimobian Pavilion
Denise
our meet in October. I remember it was too warm for him, he was
planning (I believe) to come back in December this year.
He was a very good guy, I will miss him at this years meets.
Denise
Peppermint Patty
missed. RADP has lost a member of its family.
LisaB
> He was also the one who until very recent years used to put together the
> elaborate monorail setup right there inside his tent and on his tenting
> pad every December at Fort Wilderness. People that never knew his name
> knew his campsite every year.
His Ft. Wilderness monorail layout was truly amazing. Here's glimpse of his
home layout:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/12533330@N03/sets/72157603204211643/
His enthusiasm for his hobby definitely showed. I think he said he had
about 12 of these toy Disney monorails as well as every accessory you could
buy for them...and then some!
Obvious how he earned the nickname "OneTrackRandy". :-)
Mike Tuchman
wrote:
This was also posted by Mike on the Community Board at DisBoards. I
cross-posted it to the Camping Forums there as well as to one of his
other favorites, www.stuptidguesttricks.com where he was a welcome
visitor.
mike at tuchman dot org
Steve Preskitt
Like everyone else, I'm surprised and saddened by the news about
Randy. It'd been a few years since I'd seen him last, and I wish I'd
attended the last meet so I could have seen him again before he
passed. He definitely was a different character, and he was one of
the folks I looked forward to seeing at the meets the most. He'll be
missed by many.
Steve
Unknown
So sorry to hear this. Although I am a sporatic poster, I read every
post each day and have learned a lot from Randy. I don't know how old
he was but I'm sure much to young to leave us.
Another nice, gentle man, Bob Varley died last month.
Bill
Wendy Palmquist
wonderful posts, full of fun and kindness. A little bit of the heart of
this wonderful community has slipped away from us.
ra...@soltec.net
one in so many ways.
When I moved to Champaign in 1991, I was fortunate to have met Randy
through a fluke chance meeting, which started not only my job
at WILL Radio, but a friendship which I value and treasure and now
sorely miss.
Back when I met Randy for the first time and to his last day his
attitude and demeanor had varied so little. He was always a joy to be
around, and I know how much his trips to DisneyLand every year with
his friends meant to him. I never got to experience these trips as
much as I would have liked to go and have the experiences he was
having since at least 1993. Unfortunately I was the other overnight
operator and so through my sacrifice Randy got his 2-3 weeks vacation
time to make his trips to visit with you all.
He was always a wonderful story teller, and used to entertain me with
some of his spelunking tales as well as his regular stories and
amazing in-depth knowledge of Disney lore. In the words of a popular
and old cliche' its like a very full library of information just
burned down to the ground.
Randy was an amazing person, he was well read in fantasy, science
fiction, played Dungeons and Dragons with a small group for a few
years, made his own chain mail, electronic bits for his trains, was a
train fanatic as well. Everytime I think back now to him, I can recall
yet another story to tell about him and this brings a pang of sorrow
to my heart knowing that he is now gone from us all. He went quickly
and apparently died in his sleep after phoning in to work not feeling
well. I happened to be at the station at the time and took over his
shift quite willingly, despite having done a shift before his call.
When no one had heard from him by Saturday evening after multiple
calls from Mike Pritchard (the original poster) we began to worry
about his well being, and contacted the appropriate people to check on
his welfare. Sadly, it seems he had passed shortly after calling in
ill to work.
I truly regret not getting to see and know him at the parks as you all
have, but I feel I also got to share in his life in ways others had
not. His was a complex tapestry, and he knew what he enjoyed and never
wavered in his enthusiasm for his many hobbies.
So much of where I am today stems from that chance meeting, and
sometimes that makes all the difference.
Paul Defenbaugh
WILL Overnight Operator
AM FM
pde...@will.uiuc.edu
ra...@soltec.net
Keane
wrote:
>I am very sad to report that Randy passed away suddenly, sometime Friday
>night or very early Saturday morning. The coroner's preliminary report
>suggests Randy suffered a massive heart attack, while in bed. An
>autopsy is planned for today (Monday).
I've been on usenet a long time, and personalities sometimes
just disappear, and are never heard from again. Sometimes
you wonder what happened, maybe they just lost interest,
or the ability to post...
Thanks for letting us know, Mike.
I'd never met the man, but sometimes you can see some of
who he was from what he writes, and Randy seemed to be an
okay guy.
R.I.P. Randy. I'll hoist one for ya'.
Keane
--
When stars are born, They possess a gift or two,
One of them is this, They have the power to make a wish come true...
-- Wishes
Visit my site: http://keanespics.com
M.C.Gordon Jr
>
> I'm a friend of Randy Berbaum (his work supervisor), who I know has made
> many trips to Disney World and frequented UseNet groups and more....just
> about anything related to Disney.
>
> I don't know Randy's usual "hangouts", but did find a couple of messages
> he posted on this group. I'm hoping Randy's friends might see this and
> pass this along to others.
>
> night or very early Saturday morning. The coroner's preliminary report
> suggests Randy suffered a massive heart attack, while in bed. An
> autopsy is planned for today (Monday).
>
> trips. I was happy to approve extended vacations for him, so that he
> could live his dream.
>
> He was a great guy, whom I had the pleasure of working with for more
> than 20 years.
>
> We will miss him here...and I know his Disney friends will miss him,
> too.
>
> If any of Randy's friends would like more information, such as where to
> send flowers or cards, please feel free to contact me directly. His
> family says details regarding funeral arrangemnts will be made as soon
> as the coroner releases Randy to his parents.
>
> Thank You,
>
> Michael Pritchard
> Operations Manager
> WILL Radio & Television
> University of Illinois
> (e-mail: m...@illinois.edu)
This is truly sad news.
Not enough pixie dust in any backstage storage location. I am sending
what I can to help the grieving.
Matt
--
"If the Magic is done right its still Magical even if you know all the
Secrets."
Wholesale prices in a retail world. http://www.delightfuljewelry.com
Paragon
"M.C.Gordon Jr" <rustyn...@cs.com> wrote in message
news:903ea075-50f3-4e45...@x35g2000hsb.googlegroups.com...
Goodbye, my friend. I miss you already.
whitn...@gmail.com
I am Randy's cousin, and our entire family is so grateful for the
outpouring support from your posts. The funeral arrangements have not
been made yet, but when they are I will let all of you know. I will be
printing this thread off and will pass it on to his parents, so we may
use some of your comments about Randy for his service. Randy was not
one to talk much, but when he did, it was about Disney and all of the
friends he had met online. So thank you for bringing joy to his life.
Thank you again.
-Whitney
Rudeney
> :-(
>
> I am so, so sad to hear this.
>
> I consider myself fortunate to have met Randy a few times. I started
> reading and posting in 1999 and also attended my first RADP meet in
> December that same year. I must admit that I was a little intimidated
> to approach the big group of people that I had never met before in
> person. Randy was the first person to come up to me and start talking.
> He was very kind and friendly. And of course I cannot forget how his
> (and I think Jack had to be involved) Pirate Barge tried to swamp our
> pontoon after the Illuminations cruise as they rode by waving swords and
> shouting "ARRRR!"
>
> I'll be thinking of Randy when I'm watching Illuminations this
> December. He has been a great friend on RADP and will definitely be
> missed.
It's funny how you remember your first meeting with Randy, being
intimidated by the crowds. I was searching through the archives last
night, reading some of Randy's posts just for the memories. I came
across what appears to be his first post on rec.arts.disney from March
6, 1995:
---------------------------------------------------------------------
(a newcomer to this group waves and smiles at all the inhabitants)
My most magical moment was a slow realization.
I was always very shy and generally afraid of crowds of people I didn't
know. After I got out of high-school I got my courage up and went to WDW
on my first solo vacation (well, kinda, I picked up my cousin on the way
but she liked shopping so I didn't see much of her..:) ). After several
days in Fort Wilderness I was waiting for a shuttle bus and saw some new
arrivals looking confused trying to figure how to get to the kingdom
(this was a few years before Epcot opened). Without thinking, I walked
up to them and offered advice on how to get there. After they left I
suddenly realized that I had actually started a conversation with
strangers.
From this time on to the present, I have had more confidence in myself.
I credit the magic of Disney with this (to me) incredible
transformation. (Doffs hat in respect to all the people at WDW who made
this possible!!)
BTW, I've gone back as often as I can since then and IMHO it's better
and better every time. I mourn the passing of a few attractions but
there's always something new and inspiring to soften the blow.
As soon as I can pay off the last trip, I'll be going again..soon I hope!
--
- RODNEY
Next WDW Vacation?
Who knows...
Carol
> Hello, everyone.
>
Randy was not
> one to talk much, but when he did, it was about Disney and all of the
> friends he had met online. So thank you for bringing joy to his life.
>
> Thank you again.
>
> -Whitney
>
I am honestly surprised to read this. I found Randy to be a wonderful
conversationalist, with always very interesting things to talk about.
I was in the same campground loop as Randy last October. I've missed
many a bus to the parks wandering past his site just to say hello, and
we would always spend at least an hour talking.
He will truly be missed!!!!
Carol
cakmpls
know him in person. The Disney world has lost a stalwart friend.
Carol Kennedy
Charlie Foxtrot
wrote:
I saw the header and thought, "NO!"
Then I opened the damn message.
I have no words to express how I feel.
Randy was always one of the coolest people here.
I'm sorry that our only "real life meeting" was shouting and waving to
one another, he on his Illuminations Cruise makeshift "pirate ship"
and me standing on the International Bridge.
Damn it.
Foxtrot
If you think you hate me from what I write here, check out my blog on my MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/bennettron
If you actually think I'm an okay guy, go ahead and add me as your friend if you are active at MySpace.
Monty
>
> - Show quoted text -
What a terrible loss!!!
I will sincerely miss his imput and ideas.
I know he loved all things Disney.
Goodbye to a cyber friend. I am sure that you're with Walt now.
Monty
JackM
and my) mutual friends. I decide to expand on it and share it with
everyone as I am hoping it will help ease some of the the pain I feel at
his loss.
I felt a special bond with Randy. His sense of humor was very much
mine. The fact that he took the attitude of he was at WDW and the
hell with what the rest of the world thought about what he looked
like or what he did always made me admire him. Tee shirts, jeans and
tennis shoes forever! LOL! He was a nocturnal person by his usual work
hours but he always seemed to manage to catch up with our December
daytime meets before the sun made it to the western sky. He and I would
get to spend time together as we were often the only two solo males at
the meets.
He sure loved his toys. He loved trains of all types. Mr. Monorail, LOL!
People at FW may not have known him by name (though most did) but they
always knew who you meant when you said "the guy with the monorail
layout at his site". He was devastated by the torrential rains that
flooded his camp site in December of 2004. They caused severe damage to
his monorail setup that he never had the opportunity to fix.
And don't forget those light up pins he had that would start
glowing at certain points in certain rides. He loved those suckers.
And his cameras. Dear God, he loved his cameras. Randy took it upon
himself to become the official RADP Big Meet & Greet photographer. He
loved every minute of it. He'd carry his folding tripod and 35mm film
camera to the Big Meet and with the help of a few "aides" to wrangle
people over for photos, would take everyone's picture. Then, after
getting back home, he'd Photoshop those pictures into one fantastic
large group shot that looked like it had been posed in special places.
He felt so bad in 2004 when he took all the photos on a digital card
that turned out to be defective and all the photos were lost. Here was a
man who was so involved with our group that even in the rare years when
he couldn't attend the meets, he always offered to do the Photoshop work
if someone would send him the pictures. Even when he couldn't be there,
he wanted to take whatever part in the activities as he could.
Fort Wilderness Campground. Randy was probably as well known to the cast
members there as Chip and Dale. He knew everything there was to know
about that place. I think it's time to rename one of the tent loops to
"Randy's Loop". Lord knows he was there enough.
But what I always admired most about Randy - and it's because I do
not have the temperment to do it myself - was that he would always
listen to both sides of an issue, take some time to digest what was
said, and then offer his usual even-tempered response to the
situation. I don't ever recall seeing anything ever fluster him to
the point of anger. His well thought out answers even managed to change
my opinion at times and trust me when I tell you that I can be as
stubborn and pig-headed as anyone when it comes to not admitting I may
have been wrong about something.
He was a man who was usually very shy at home but he was always willing
to approach a new RADPer at a meet and offer an introduction and some
conversation. These people weren't strangers to him, they were friends
he hadn't met yet. He knew we didn't get axe murderers on RADP, just
good Disney fans. He wore his RADP button proudly. He read RADP every
day. He always took the time to answer every RADP planning question that
was asked, even if it was the 1,000 time he'd answered it. He'd be the
first to explain things like the TDC or the LIB or the RADP Meets to
people who had no idea what they were.
I feel bad that I only got to see Randy in person once in the past two
and a half years. He was at the 2005 December meets but had some
unplanned expenses come up and had to cancel his attendance at the 2006
meets. And even though it turned out that he was looking at the
possibility of losing his job if he went in 2007, he told one and all
that he would be at the October 2007 meet and by golly he was. And he
didn't lose his job after all.
What will I miss most? Hard to say. There was Randy, the Trail's End
Breakfast host. Randy the model monorail builder. And Randy the "why do
you folks carry bags through security when all you have to do is stuff
everything in the pockets of a vest" guy. That always made me chuckle.
And Randy, the Pirate Cruise boat host. Randy the mini golfer and
erstwhile substitute host. The Randy with a camera always around his
neck in the parks. Or the Randy who delighted in manning the water guns
at KRR. And that laugh of his. My God, there are so many things!
I'll miss his consideration of others. Randy was a smoker but I have to
admit that he was the most courteous smoker I think I ever ran into. He
wouldn't just go outside for a smoke, he'd head way off in the distance
- even into the woods - so that his smoke would not bother anyone. And
Randy would be the first to tell us to tone it down if we got a little
too boisterous in public.
I know this December will be hard for me knowing he won't be there.
I'll ask you all for forgiveness now for the times you will see my
eyes well up or my breathing become erratic or I start sniffling. I
have no shame when it comes to sentimentality. There will definitely
be several Kleenex moments for me.
I am oh so glad that I had the opportunity to meet, know and love
Randy. It was an opportunity that I wish many, many more RADPers could
have been afforded. He was a great guy. He made me smile and laugh often
and much. I feel that I am a better person for knowing him. I was proud
to call him my friend for so many years.
Jack
--
My email address on the header is a non-monitored spam catching account.
I can be reached via http://www.wvnh.net/contact.htm
The dates for the next RADP Meet are December 12-15, 2008 for RADP-XIII
(http://meets.radp.org).
Michelle
the Subject line for this thread I thought, "This can't be good
news." When I read the first post I sank down in my chair. I was one
who only knew Randy online. But I feel like I knew so much about
him. I knew he did his monorail set-up at FW, I knew he did the
looong photo of the Splash Mountain meet. Most of all, I knew that he
never authored a post which was anything other than warm, polite and
informative. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and
friends.
Michelle
Jan B. aka Praline (cuz I'm sweet and nuts) :-)
Thanks so much for your post. It's wonderful to hear the memories of
those who knew him in his "real" life, not just his "Disney" life.
When you said,"His was a complex tapestry", I think you hit the nail
right on the head. That describes Randy perfectly.
Randy was our Disney camping buddy. As soon as my husband and I
finished setting up camp in Fort Wilderness, our first thought was to
seek out Randy and reconnect after a year apart. After the hugs and
happiness of seeing each other again, it would seem like no time at
all had passed. Like we had seen him only the night before, not an
entire year ago. Randy never changed....he was ageless and timeless.
I think the character that most reminds me of Randy is Peter Pan.
Randy's heart would never grow up. He always retained the joy of
childhood. He took such delight in simple pleasures. I think that's
why he loved Walt Disney World so much. His inner child could be free
there.
I'll miss him more than I can say. Due to the age and condition of
our tow vehicle, we weren't planning on staying in our camper at Fort
Wilderness this December and I was heartsick about that. But now that
Randy won't be there this year, I'm actually relieved that we won't be
camping but will be at OKW instead. Fort Wilderness won't be the same
without Randy. None of our Disney trips will be.
Jan
Jan B. aka Praline (cuz I'm sweet and nuts) :-)
> Caren wrote:
> > On May 19, 2:17 pm, Ginny Favers <ginnyfav...@gmail.com> wrote:
> >> I feel like I just got kicked in the gut.
>
> >> Randy, you will be really missed around here. :-(
>
> >>http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff76/ginnyfavers/101-0181_IMG.jpg
>
> > cruise, great time.
>
> > --
> > Caren
> > TDC Queen of Adventureland
>
> that!
>
> --
> ~Amanda
> aka Ginny Favers, TCD Rescued Princess of Chickapin Hill
> “I met the love of my life on the Seven Seas Lagoon”
> Trip Reports athttp://ginnyfavers.googlepages.com
And let's not forget that Randy was the craftsman who created the
DeLIBerator! Where would the LIB be without that? :-)
Jan
Jan B. aka Praline (cuz I'm sweet and nuts) :-)
>
> Randy was the one who took the photos at the December RADP meets for
> many years. He was the one who put the great RADP Big Meet and Greet
> photo collages together and whose mastery of Photoshop allow him to make
> the annual photo of the huge RADP Splash Mountain log. He was also the
> one who until very recent years used to put together the elaborate
> monorail setup right there inside his tent and on his tenting pad every
> December at Fort Wilderness. People that never knew his name knew his
> campsite every year.
>
>
> --
I'll miss being the loudmouth who rounded everyone up and hearded them
over to Randy so he could take their pictures. :-) Mike and I really
enjoyed being his assistants.
Jan
Julie (ImKiwi10)
was the year that his campsite got flooded and so much of his monorail
collection was damaged. He was obviously upset about it, but all that
he could talk about was how Fort Wilderness sent some Cast Members to
his site to help him clean up and set up his tents again, and how
incredibly helpful they had been. He said that he had thought about
just packing up and going home, but that the CMs had helped him to the
point that it made him want to stay He didn't get stuck on how much
damage had been done or how much time in the parks he had lost. All he
could talk about was the kindness the CMs had shown to him.
What a wonderful, kind, young soul. He will be missed so greatly.
-Julie
TDC Rapunzel, Food Rocks Head Chef and Keeper of the Monstro Table
Mr. Disney Wizard
Mike Pritchard wrote:
>Greetings:
> I'm a friend of Randy Berbaum ,..just
>[ol' OneTrack] about anything related to Disney.
>Michael Pritchard
>Operations Manager WILL Radio & Television, University of Illinois
>(e-mail: m...@illinois.edu)
>
--
All ladders in the Temple of the Forbidden Eye have thirteen steps.
There are thirteen steps to the gallows, firing squad or any execution.
The first step is conception, the price of birth is death.
Don't be bamboozled :| come back as a greater man.
Secrets of the Temple of the Forbidden Eye revealed!
Indiana Jones Discovers The Jewel of Power!
visit --(o=8> http://disneywizard.angelfire.com/ <8=o)-- visit
Patti
Like Jan & Mike, we camped at Ft. Wilderness and have some terrific
memories of Randy. I can remember bringing my oldest daughter over to
see his monorail setup the first time we came down in December. I
remember the year of the floods - we had all gone over to Sean and
Pam's room to watch Survivor. The next morning, his tarps took a huge
hit, as did his monorail set. The year after that we were actually at
the site next to him. My middle child took to him and she hung out
with him a lot. The night before we left, he rigged up lights at his
site for her so she could see to do all the homework she was supposed
to have been doing all along. It was like daylight and he even stood
there holding another light for her.
Just a couple of weeks ago, she was talking about when RADP overloaded
the boat in PotC and Randy got us all to get it moving again when it
got stuck right before the drop. Those are memories you can't get rid
of and will stay with her for her whole life.
Ft. Wilderness wouldn't be the same without him, I agree.
I definitely need to make one of the meets this year. It's been too
long, and we take for granted that everyone will be around when time
and life stops getting in the way.
Patti
Derek Janssen
> -- and, Randy Berbaum YOU are a hero -- higalty pigilty{poof}--(o=8>
Yeah, I should remember to try and get a laff with that at YOUR wake...
Derek Janssen (our word for today: "Tasteless")
eja...@verizon.net
LaurieJen
everyone for sharing and bringing back wonderful memories of a great man.
--
Laurie
"Julie (ImKiwi10)" <ImKi...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:fa8652fc-c97d-457d...@d1g2000hsg.googlegroups.com...
Rudeney
Jack, thank you for sharing that. It makes me all the more sad that I
never got to meet this wonderful man in person.
Jack Cherry
not seeing him the last 2 Dec....This years Breakfast meet should be at
Tarils End in his honor
Tracy
"JackM" <not...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:0PSdnTg4n44ImK7V...@comcast.com...
Paragon
> ~And let's not forget that Randy was the craftsman who created the
DeLIBerator! Where would the LIB be without that? :-)
I handled it today. What a big heart he had.
Alpha
contributions here, but his voice was one of those I looked forward to.
Even if a thread wasn't of much interest to me, I'd always take a look at
what Randy might be saying about it. Congenial, knowledgeable... he really
added a lot here.
Thank you Mike for taking the time to relay the news. Let me offer my
deepest sympathies to his friends and family.
-- Alpha
Ginny Favers
> I wrote much of this post in an email that I sent to some of our (Randy
> and my) mutual friends. I decide to expand on it and share it with
> everyone as I am hoping it will help ease some of the the pain I feel at
> his loss
>
>
That was beautiful Jack, and every word of it so true. You summed up
all the wonderful things about him. He was like RADP's ambassador,
wasn't he.
JD Stearns
Randy a few times and will miss him quite a bit. Although I didn't know him
as well as I would have liked, I know that he was a great guy and the kind
of person that anyone should aspire to be.
My last time seeing him was after the Nemo musical in Animal Kingdom where a
bunch of us RADPers had gathered to watch the show. Randy, Bruce and I hung
around the theater exit after the show and talked for a long time. I was
anxious to go and visit other attractions, but I was compelled to just hang
around with them and soak up their Disney aura. Being in Randy's presence
made it impossible to feel anything but special.
I can only pray that he was asleep when the end came, and that he was
dreaming of Walt Disney World. Now, he'll never have to leave his Magic
Kingdom.
J.D. Stearns
"Mike Pritchard" <m...@uiuc.edu> wrote in message
news:4831A4E3...@uiuc.edu...
> Greetings:
>
> I'm a friend of Randy Berbaum (his work supervisor), who I know has made
> many trips to Disney World and frequented UseNet groups and more....just
> about anything related to Disney.
>
> I don't know Randy's usual "hangouts", but did find a couple of messages
> he posted on this group. I'm hoping Randy's friends might see this and
> pass this along to others.
>
> I am very sad to report that Randy passed away suddenly, sometime Friday
> night or very early Saturday morning. The coroner's preliminary report
> suggests Randy suffered a massive heart attack, while in bed. An
> autopsy is planned for today (Monday).
>
> Randy dearly loved his Disney adventures. He lived for his semi-annual
> trips. I was happy to approve extended vacations for him, so that he
> could live his dream.
>
> He was a great guy, whom I had the pleasure of working with for more
> than 20 years.
>
> We will miss him here...and I know his Disney friends will miss him,
> too.
>
> If any of Randy's friends would like more information, such as where to
> send flowers or cards, please feel free to contact me directly. His
> family says details regarding funeral arrangemnts will be made as soon
> as the coroner releases Randy to his parents.
>
> Thank You,
>
> Michael Pritchard
> Operations Manager
> WILL Radio & Television
Sandi Femino
Patti <floating-...@adelphia.net> wrote:
> I hate that it's something like this that brings people back together.
> Like Jan & Mike, we camped at Ft. Wilderness and have some terrific
> memories of Randy. I can remember bringing my oldest daughter over to
> see his monorail setup the first time we came down in December. I
> remember the year of the floods - we had all gone over to Sean and
> Pam's room to watch Survivor. The next morning, his tarps took a huge
> hit, as did his monorail set. The year after that we were actually at
> the site next to him. My middle child took to him and she hung out
> with him a lot. The night before we left, he rigged up lights at his
> site for her so she could see to do all the homework she was supposed
> to have been doing all along. It was like daylight and he even stood
> there holding another light for her.
>
> Just a couple of weeks ago, she was talking about when RADP overloaded
> the boat in PotC and Randy got us all to get it moving again when it
> got stuck right before the drop. Those are memories you can't get rid
> of and will stay with her for her whole life.
>
> Ft. Wilderness wouldn't be the same without him, I agree.
>
> I definitely need to make one of the meets this year. It's been too
> long, and we take for granted that everyone will be around when time
> and life stops getting in the way.
Patti,
Is that you? :)
Glad to see you posting, though wish it was for a better reason :(
I think that is so great that you got to see Randy's site at FW.
The one RADP meet my husband and I got to (Dec. 2006) was one Randy
could not attend.
--
Pete...@aol.com
<I will be
printing this thread off and will pass it on to his parents,>
I guess it won't be much of a surprise to his family and parents that
Randy was one of the most even tempered human beings ever to walk the
earth.
I am shocked, and saddened, to hear of his death. I had always
thought that one day I would end up in loop 2000 at the SAME TIME as
Randy and his wonderful monorail track.
It was one of my goals and I looked forward to it. He had great love
for the campground, as do I, and I can't imagine never being able to
meet him. Without knowing him personally he had great love of life,
compassion for all he spoke to, dedication in helping to solve Disney
dilemmas, and wonder of the most perfect magic that only Disney can
create.
If you have to pick a life to live, and a way to die, I think he was a
lucky man.
My most sincere sympathies to his family and friends.
(I think of his multi-pocketed vest every time I have to open a bag
for the Disney gate inspectors........one smart dude.)
Dizznoid
over the years we've learned to filter the info as it comes across. I never
met Randy, but I read almost all his posts over the years because as a few
have stated he was a voice of reason, knowledge, very interesting and just a
nice guy.
Thanks for everything, I'll miss you.
To Randys family, friends and co-workers:
We are all proud to have known Randy in our way, and he will be missed. My
deepest sympathies on your loss and God bless you.
Brian Gamache
Connecticut
mi...@vom.com
passing.
It's been weeks since I've been on the boards and months since I've
posted.
Randy was one of a kind, a truly unique and honest man.
Upon reading the news I replaced my USA flag with the Pirate Flag in
his honor.
If possible I'll dig out the Potato Cannon and shoot off a round at
sunset, as I've already missed the memorial service time.
One never knows when it will be the last time they see a friend,
associate, loved one or just that occasional person you see from time
to time.
Be good to all and make the most out of life, that's something I
believe Randy lived and instilled in us all at the RADP weeks.
You are missed my Pirate Captain
Mitch Laing aka The Grump
Sonoma CA
DIS Towncrier
I didn't spend a lot of time with him, it felt as if we had been
friends forever. He was that kind of person. The world is a better
place for his having been here, and he will be sorely missed. I regret
never having made it over to Fort Wilderness to spend time with him
and to see his campsite in person. But I am comforted in having been
given the opportunity to spend some time with this wonderful human
being. My condolences to Randy's family and to his many friends. May
he rest in peace.
wdwjan
radp-meet without him.
Jan
wdw...@gmail.com
http://wdwjan.googlepages.com/
"A little Consideration, a little Thought for Others, makes all the
difference." --Eeyore
bluep...@msn.com
away. He was one of a kind and had a wonderful sense of humor. My
heartfelt sympathy to his family and friends. :-(
Janie
Jambala, keeper of singing dolls and music repeating loops
stuck in people's heads
LIB inspector
JackM
Janie!
Where have you been? Is everything okay? Sudden extended absences by
RADP regulars is a cause for concern around here. We miss you!
ElastiGirl
> bluepir...@msn.com wrote:
> > Just saw this thread. I'm so, so sorry to hear that Randy passed
> > away. He was one of a kind and had a wonderful sense of humor. My
> > heartfelt sympathy to his family and friends. :-(
>
> > Janie
> > Jambala, keeper of singing dolls and music repeating loops
> > stuck in people's heads
> > LIB inspector
>
> Janie!
>
> Where have you been? Is everything okay? Sudden extended absences by
> RADP regulars is a cause for concern around here. We miss you!
>
> Jack
>
> --
> My email address on the header is a non-monitored spam catching account.
>
> The dates for the next RADP Meet are December 12-15, 2008 for RADP-XIII
> (http://meets.radp.org).
ditto!
Plus I can't walk around WDW without thinking and noticing how much
the experience in enhanced by being about to hear -- that's a gift
Janie gave without knowing she was giving me SO MUCH
EG
Bashful
I have been away too long. I just finished reading this whole thread. I
am so sad to hear about Randy. As a very longtime lurker (going on 12
years now, I think), I was also an avid reader of every post Randy made.
And, by some luck of fate, he is one of only a select handful of RADPers
that I have had the courage to introduce myself to (Mousefest 2003, I
think?). He was so nice to me! And he actually knew who I was! (I've
always been a bashful poster, though more so lately.) This just breaks
my heart.
And on the completely different note, I had been wondering about Janie,
too. Janie, your posts have also brought me so much joy! I most
definitely gained a new appreciation for Disney sounds after reading your
stories. You probably don't remember me, but I think of you (and Randy,
and a number of other wonderful people here) every trip.
Okay, I'm going off to cry now... but I'll be back. I'm going to have to
make it a point to check in here more often. I've found a new (non-
Disney - I promise) Internet home, but I do miss this place.
--
Kitty (TDC Bashful)