Gravitar Passed Away

This is some VERY sad news. I just got off the phone with Amanda, Kevin's (AKA Gravitar's) wife. Kevin died last night. This is extremely distressing for me as I considered him one of my best "Internet Buds". He was also one of the Panasonic Toughbook forum founders and really helped to get this forum rolling. I started buying parts from Kevin a long time ago. He joined the forum a little after I did. He was instrumental in making this forum into what it is today as he was one of the first gung-ho nuts on here with the rest of us. He was always willing to share his expertise and has helped so many of us, including me, out of some tight spots when we were ready to pull our hair out! Many of us have either gotten free parts shipped to us from him or gotten a great deal on a very hard to find part.

Kevin leaves behind a great wife and 6 beautiful kids. I know that she will have a lot on her plate in the coming days/weeks. Yet one of her first worries was to find out if Kevin owed anyone any parts here.

Amanda needs our help with something else. I always thought Kevin was exaggerating a little when he said he had stuff stacked floor to ceiling in his shop. Well... He does! Twenty seven+ shelving units full! All stacked floor to ceiling. I know that Amanda knows what some of the parts are as I emailed back and forth with her many times on parts orders. I know that he has a bunch of CF-27s but I also know that he has some other pretty cool stuff there as well... Including other Toughbooks. Amanda lives in the Roseville, Michigan area. Roseville looks to be about 15 miles or so northeast of Detroit. I know that Kevin spoke to a few of you out there about hooking up to pick up parts at various times... Or getting together to figure out a problem. The last time I saw that was some time ago and I'm not sure if those members are still around. But she will eventually need someone who knows PCs, laptops, games/gaming stuff and other electronics to come by and take a look to give her an idea of what to do with all the stuff. My idea was that if someone could just tell her what everything is, or point her in the right direction, she could sticker it for sale or donation. I know she isn't ready for it right this minute but I'm sure she will call or email me when she is.

I told Amanda that I would post this thread and provide a link to her so that she could keep an eye on the responses and any volunteers that may want to drop by to go through everything. It sounds like it would take the better part of a day to go through... At least. If you live near the Detroit area and would like to help out (Or know someone who lives close-by to her)... Please PM me your contact info and I will pass it on to Amanda. Likewise, if he needed to ship out parts to anyone here, please let me know and I will pass that info on to Amanda.

If anyone has any other ideas as to how to pitch in to help please let me know.

Thanks,

Rick

Amanda... Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the kids.

EDIT - You can donate directly to Amanda and the kids via Paypal at [email protected]. I've heard that she is close to what she needs to cover Kevin's burial expense... But I'm sure she will still need help after that.

 

Wow, that’s sad Rick
It was his birthday on the 10th and I wished him happy birthday on one of his many posts
Kevin "Gravitar" will most certainly be missed



Alex

 

It is really a sad news for us here. I just been from work right now and it is the first post that read today here in the forum. Just to busy on my job.

To his wife, kids and the family, My deepest sympathy and condolences and I am pretty sure " Kevin" is a great person eventhough I haven't meet him personally. He help me out a couple of times and I've remember one time one member here ask a question and I answer not to the point something weird and he is the one who tell me "If I am having a bad day". And its like telling me to cool down.


Once again to the family and friends of GRAVITAR, my condol...s.


Teo

PS. He is also the one who invite me to join on this forum.

 

My deepest sympathy and condolences as well, also never met Kevin but he was always willing to help everyone. He will be greatly missed here and I am quite sure to everyone that ever had contact with him either in person on online. I would hope I speak for all of us but if their is anything we can do just let us know and I am quite certain we can find a way to get it done.

Rick please let us know if we can help in anyway and please pass along my condolences to his family he was truly a good guy. Clint

 

Toughbook,

Although relatively new to this forum, I have known since day one it's made up of great people who not only share a love of Toughbooks, but watch out for each other. My Pastor once said that we really have it wrong when we are saddened by a loved one's death, that we should rejoice that they have gone where (depending on your beliefs) we all hope to go when the end comes. Kevin was far too young to make that final trip, and my heart goes out to his wife and children. I do not want to pry about what happened, I am only curious as to whether it was unexpected.

Amanda and the kids will be in my prayers and if there is anything I can do (sadly, it would have to be done at a distance), please let me know. If any type of fund is set up, let us know also. I leave you all with this passage:

Job 19:25

I, for my part, know that my Redeemer lives
that He, at last, will rise on the earth.
After I wake up, he will make me stand next to Him,
and, in my flesh, I shall see God.
The One I shall see shall be for me,
the One I shall look upon will not be a stranger.

 

Amen to this!

My condolences go out to Kevin and Amanda and kids and family. Rick I will PM you my information as I would like you to pass this on to Amanda as I live in Chicago and only 313 miles from him. I probably can make it out there on the weekend sometime in the following month to help out Amanda with appraising the value of his stuff.

I'm going to talk to a friend of mine to see if he would like to go with me as well.

Once again I cannot believe this and I am so very sorry to hear of this news. Kevin is in a better place now

 

Whoa...

I've met him in person twice, he is a great guy to know. I saw his stack of stuff in person at his house, he had a massive CF-27 collection.

How the hell did this happen?

Edit; If I still lived back in Michigan, I would gladly help her sort stuff out. Roseville is clear on the other side of Detroit from where I was living, but I was able to get there in an hour or so.

Seriously though, this is really making me feel awful. Kevin was a great guy!

 

I'm pretty close to roseville myself and so long as it's on a saturday I can help out. I don't know an incredible amount on toughbooks but I can lift boxes and move stuff around.

Wish I could meet some of my fellow forum goers under happier circumstances but we play with the cards we're dealt.

 

Wow, how did this happen? I'm just barely new here, but this is terrible. My condolences go out to Amanda and family.

 

I must say that even though I just joined here, I am deeply sadened by this news. It was immediately apparent that Kevin was one of the central figures around here and you could tell just from his posts that he was a genuinely good man. I wish that I was anywhere near that area and I would pitch gladly pitch in. It truly breaks my heart to hear of 6 children and a wife that are no doubt going to miss Kevin far more than any of us ever could.

Amanda, if or when you get around to reading this, know that my thoughts and prayers will be with you and your children. I know this offer of condolance cannot erase the sorrow and loss, but I hope that it is at least a little comfort in a time like this. Your husand was well loved here and his presence will be sorely missed.

 

Rick,

I really like how you accentuated the good times, and good memories of Kevin "Gravitar". My heart and prayers go out to his family.

Amanda,

May God bring you peace and comfort in your time of need and me he provide for you and your family in the days to come. Know that the prayers of Me, my Wife, and 4 kids go out to you and yours. God Bless!

Paul Spice

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 brought us great comfort last year when my dad passed away, I hope it brings comfort to you as well.

 

Rick,
I have reached an age where news of this sort about my contemporaries is not as shocking as it used to be. I have mental images of some of our friends here, the ones I mentioned to you the other night, although I have never met any of them. I had a few dealings with Kevin and we PM'd a few times about things best not discussed on the open forum, usually to do with forum management. My image of Kevin is of a mad scientist, too young to have six children. There was a little mystery about the Arabic dictionary he carried around. I belong to a group of men and women who strive with the help of god to be men and women of honor and dignity. I sense that Grav. was all of that. I'm not sure who will step up to be the person we all defer to in certain things, "...wait a while, Gravitar will be around and he's sure to chime in with an answer", but I know he will be missed.
Amanda, know that you, Kevin, and your children are in our prayers.
CAP

 

When I first saw the post, I thought is was some kind of weird joke. Just not something you expect to find while trolling the forum.

Very, very sad news.

Condolences to the family.

 

Requiescat in pace.

 

Thanks for everything guys... I will certainly pass all this on to Amanda. I will pass all contact info that is PMed to me to Amanda. She may or may not call you... I don't know. When I know more I'll pass it on.

 

I'm shocked to hear about this, he and a few others are the reason I've kept up to date on this forum, and gave me a good reason to share some of my own tinkering/scripting. Its easy to give back when there is so much freely shared info and parts given by such great people.

My most heartfelt wishes go out to his wife.

Jay

 

This is truly a sad day for our small family. For the 7 or 8 months I have been here he was always so generous with his time, and knowledge. When I changed my HDD and OS he PM'd with his phone # to call him if I ran into any problems. He didn't know me from Adam. That in my book is a good person. I would think he would want us to learn and carry on with how his presence all made us feel very grateful. Let's celebrate his life, not just when he left us. He's in a much better place now, a place where I can't wait to get there.

I am a moderator on the largest Honda Goldwing forum on the net. I see this all too often. Some who we have met in person, or simply chatted with. I have no idea how they are financially, but if need be I am sure we can and will help out.

My heart and thoughts hurt for Amanda and his children. May the Lord give them the strength to understand, and accept where he is. He will be in our church's prayer list this Sunday. I will stand up and explain what I know of this man with my chin held high.

God bless the grieving.

 

Man I can't believe it, Grav helped me so many times with parts, he will truly be missed. I wish the best for his family!

 

...Did what with who for how many jellybeans?

Wooh doggie... ummm.. yeah. Totally shocked. I've spoken with Grav in PM a few times; gotten some parts from him... he always struck me as a good sort; a bit old-school, but then so am I. He was one voice you could always count on for a thoughtful, relevant response; unlike the "forum divers" who always seemed to show up with some weird comments to a real tech question.

Grav, we'll miss you buddy. Amanda, I wish I weren't 1500 miles away... my condolances and prayers go out to you and the kids.

mnem
namaste.

 

I'm at a loss for words but none greater than Kevin's absence and his unreserved willingness to share, enthusiasm that inspires. A rarity, a rough cut gem in this day and age. My deepest condolences to Amanda and the kids... I'm so sorry.

Rick, some of our pockets don't run deep but let us know how we can help.

Still can't believe this is happening...
Ronnie Lee
Singapore

 

I am floored to say the least. I have dealt with Kevin many times and a great person, he will be truly missed...

TB check pm for suggestion on floral arrangement donations.

Rick H...

 

Death is ALWAYS hardest on the living.
pappy

 

I really don't know what to say... I still can't believe what happened... Unreal.

 

Well... Stay tuned for a "Donation thread"... But those of you following here can donate directly to Amanda and kids at...

[email protected]

This goes to Amanda's Paypal account. I'm sure that she appreciates everyone's support.

 

TB, That's awesome. I know we will all put our priorities in the right place and do the right thing.

 

Wow
I am probably the newest of the newbies here, just joined today although I have read past forums for help with toughbook projects. I am truly sorry to hear about what happened.
As I say I just joined, and have only replied to 2 posts, Gravitar's was one of them.
My best to the family, unfortunately I am in Maine and cannot help.

 

Thanks for posting this addy. She's got incoming.

 

I would like to offer my deepest sympathies to Kevin's family, we chatted many times and he has helped me out in the past with my tinkering. I would like to thank Rick for giving us this sad news and for posting the link.

 

Just a bump to get this back to the top. As a reminder... You can donate to Amanda & the kids via Paypal at

[email protected]

Just wanted to get this back to the top again...

 

Re: Gravitar passed away

I am only a short time member, but this sort of news is always a shock, especially as I have read some of his postings and was impressed.
My sincere condolences to his family.

 

Rough situation for a woman and 6 kids at this economic juncture. Hopefully they will be able to pull through quickly. I see many appreciative comments about Kevin and wished my first contact with him had been better or at least smoother (Ebay-wise) back in 07. I remember seeing a post where he traveled about 200 miles (one way) to help someone with their toughbook. If someone lived closer to them maybe they could help his wife move his inventory for a fair price that would benefit the Family.


I wish the family well during this time.

SIN

 

It's never easy to deal with the loss of a close friend, so I totally understand everyone's reaction. I may have just joined but my thoughts and prayers do go out to his family and I did ask the Lord to give them the strength to get them through this difficult time. My only regret is not knowing him as well as everyone here.

TB-thanks for the info on PayPal donations for the family...I should be able to send something later this week when payday rolls around.

 

I wish his family well. Sad news.

 

I sent my donation. Time to bring this back to the top.

 

I give my deepest sympathy and condolences to the family. He will be greatly missed here. I never met Kevin but he was always willing to help everyone here on the forums and probably in person as well. I always though of him as a great person that donated his time, parts and expertise to anyone that needed it.

I wish his family the best through these ruff times. It is never easy to loose someone that you love. I hope they pull through and make it ok.

-James

 

wow, haven't stopped in here in a month or so and Grav is gone? I see his posts all the time helping out the folks on here. He will truely be missed. Although I haven't had any personal contact with him, I feel like I've gotten to know him as a person from just reading his posts. My deepest condolence to his wife and kids. I hope they will be able to pull through. He was truely a great all around guy.

 

It is sad indeed...He will be missed.
He and I have traded many times and have always had a great respect for him.
My deepest sympathy to his wife and kids.

I too, Have sent them something to help along.

 

So as of late I'm having motherboard issues so who do I PM for help just like so many times before?..... Why Gravitar of course, he has helped me in the past, no monetary gain, no nothing just willing to offer his advice.....Couldn't figure out why he didn't return my PM over the last few days then to my horror I come across this thread!
All I can say is I am totally speechless, I have never met the man, talked to him only PM's but feel like I just lost a friend. His knowledge and generosity will not be replaced.
Having lost my father at the age of 52, his family is facing a tough uphill climb and need all the support they can get. My condolences to Amanda, his kids and his family.
Kevin was a great guy and will be missed but not forgotten, his posts here on this forum will help many for years to come....

 

Fair winds and following seas brother.
I have felt the loss of shipmates and Marines too many times over the last five years. Even not knowing a man personally, the kinship is not diminished. He was, is and will always be a part of the whole. Gods speed brother. My deepest sympathy and prayers to the family.

 

Definitely not good news to hear about this. I know I'm all the way over in Ozzie-land so a bit helpless when it comes to physically lending a hand, but it's never pleasant when someone knowledgable and experienced in a subject is no longer around to share that with others.

My condolences to Kevin's family.

Craig.

 

In the previous page, Rick posted info where members can help...

"Just a bump to get this back to the top. As a reminder... You can donate to Amanda & the kids via Paypal at [email protected]"

 

This saddens me deeply and I would like to help the kids.
Rick will you let me know the best way to send a little something without using PayPal.

Jim