Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Republicans don’t want a speaker to lead them; they want a hostage.

Donald Trump found guilty as fuck – May 30, 2024!

Give the craziest people you know everything they want and hope they don’t ask for more? Great plan.

If ‘weird’ was the finish line, they ran through the tape and kept running.

Let’s delete this post and never speak of this again.

In my day, never was longer.

You are either for trump or for democracy. Pick one.

Conservatism: there are people the law protects but does not bind and others who the law binds but does not protect.

They love authoritarianism, but only when they get to be the authoritarians.

if you can’t see it, then you are useless in the fight to stop it.

“Jesus paying for the sins of everyone is an insult to those who paid for their own sins.”

There are more Russians standing up to Putin than Republicans.

Republicans want to make it harder to vote and easier for them to cheat.

Narcissists are always shocked to discover other people have agency.

No one could have predicted…

“The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits.”

Teach a man to fish, and he’ll sit in a boat all day drinking beer.

Fight them, without becoming them!

We can show the world that autocracy can be defeated.

Books are my comfort food!

Jesus, Mary, & Joseph how is that election even close?

Come on, man.

Michigan is a great lesson for Dems everywhere: when you have power…use it!

Reality always lies in wait for … Democrats.

You are here: Home / Absent Friends / Some Very Sad News to Share

Some Very Sad News to Share

by | 228 Comments

This post is in: 

Medium Cool – Equilibrium!

I got an email message this morning from Steeplejack’s brother, letting me know that Steep died unexpectedly.

Good morning.  I’m writing to let you know that my brother died unexpectedly yesterday.  His name was Burt Bralliar but he was known to jackals as Steeplejack.  He is survived by our mother, his other younger brother and a niece and nephew. He never married or had children and as he got older his orbit became small.

But he deeply loved the Balloon Juice community and got much pleasure reading, watching, and posting. I have no specific requests of the community other than for you all to know he loved you and that he would encourage you to keep fighting the good fight and work hard to make our world better, as he did.

He has requested cremation and there will only be a very small service for family and a few friends.

We may see a comment at some point from Anastasio Beaverhausen; that’s the nym Steep’s brother uses when he comments on Balloon Juice.

I will surely write another post to say goodbye to Steep at another time, but for now I will say that he was a good friend, and I talked to him nearly every day, and I can barely see the words I am typing through the tears.

Steep, I hope that you and efgoldman are having a nice catch-up in the good place.  I miss you already.

 

Reader Interactions

228Comments

  2. 2.

    SiubhanDuinne

    WHAT!? Oh no. Steep has always been one of my favorite commenters here. This is devastating.

    Deepest condolences to his family. RIP, Steep. We will miss you more than you know.

  4. 4.

    Elizabelle

    Damn.  Always looked forward to anything Steeplejack had to say.  He is reunited with the housecat.

    My deepest sympathies to all his loved ones and friends, in real life and on the cyber.

    Glad his niece and nephew are old enough to remember their uncle.  My condolences to his family.

  5. 5.

    Omnes Omnibus

    That is horrible news. RIP Steep. My deepest condolences to Anastasio Beaverhausen and the rest of Steeplejack’s family and friend. He will be missed.

  6. 6.

    Scout211

    OMG. I am so sad.  😢

    He was always so kind and so helpful to other jackals and he made this community a better place.

    He will be sorely missed.

    RIP,  Steep.  ❤️

  8. 8.

    A Good Woman

    My condolences to all the jackals who knew Steeplejack way better than I ever did.

  9. 9.

    The Kropenhagen Interpretation

    Steeplejack has been a mainstay here as long as I can remember. I don’t get too personal with folk here tbh but I’m sad to know he’s gone.

  10. 10.

    CaseyL

    Oh, no. Awful news. I am so sorry.

    as he got older his orbit became small.

    …damn. That cuts too close to home.

    RIP Steeplejack. Rest you gentle, sleep you sound.

  13. 13.

    zhena gogolia

    Oh, I loved him so much. We had great laughs about popular culture, especially the “gold slacks”! I will miss him so. He’s one of those commenters you feel you know as a person.

  17. 17.

    eclare

    Oh no!  I wondered about this.  We became friends in real life when we both lived in ATL, and after we both moved away, somehow we found each other here again.

    I last heard from him on Monday, and after sending several texts during last week with no response, I finally sent one on Friday, just asking for a “hi” to let me know he was OK.  Again, no response.

    To know him IRL was to be around an encyclopedic knowledge of music, movies, books, pretty much everything.  He was one of my closest friends since the late nineties.  I will miss him terribly.  My heartfelt condolences to his mother, two brothers, niece and nephew.

  26. 26.

    Garden guy

    I haven’t commented much here, but I’d like to offer sincere condolences to your family.

    Peace.

  27. 27.

    TaMara

    @eclare: He emailed me every day with something to make me smile. And somehow the fact you knew him IRL, makes me happy…for both of you.

    This really hurts. He was beloved here.

    RIP, you will be missed.

  28. 28.

    Elizabelle

    @zhena gogolia: Yes.  And his brother, Anastasio has posted here before.

    Just devastating all around, and the world needs more people like Steep, not less.

  29. 29.

    SiubhanDuinne

    @eclare:

    I’m so sad for you. I always hoped to meet him in person. He’s leaving an especially Steep-sized hole in your life and heart. Hugs to you.

  30. 30.

    schrodingers_cat

    OMG I am so sorry. I will miss Steep. He was the BJ archivist and historian.

    Bichde sabhi bari bari ((We) lose everyone we care for one by one) from Gurudutt’s, Kagaz Ke Phool, which Steep loved.

    Sung by Mohammed Rafi, music composed by S. D. Burman and penned by Kaifi Azmi for Gurudutt’s movie Kagaz Ke Phool (Paper flowers) which is about the ephemeral nature of fame and human relationships.

  33. 33.

    Suzanne

    Oh no. This is terrible news.

    RIP to Steep. Wishing for comfort for Anastasio and the whole family. Thank you for letting us know.

    Steep was one of my favorite commenters here.

  34. 34.

    YY_Sima Qian

    Damn! Terrible news!

    RIP Steeplejack. My deepest condolences to all those who knew him.

  35. 35.

    Mr. Bemused Senior

    I can only add my condolences and my thanks to this community of jackals for the kindness it has shown me.  I’m sure it will extend the same kindness to all Steeplejack’s friends and loved ones.

  36. 36.

    SteveinPHX

    I’m kind of an infrequent lurker around here, but I have seen many of his posts. May he Rest In Peace.

  39. 39.

    TaMara

    @Elizabelle: It was probably early July – now that I think of it.  But he knew I was traveling this month, so may have kept his sweet stories (usually about kindness and furry friends) to a minimum.

  40. 40.

    trollhattan

    Sad news. My deepest condolences to the Bralliar family and safe journeys, Steeplejack, whatever they may be.

  41. 41.

    jowriter

    As a longtime lurker and occasional commenter, my heart goes out to Steeplejack’s family and friends.  He was a wonderful and often very funny commenter. Deep sympathy to all who know him or have read his words — he will be missed here, very much.

  43. 43.

    dc

    My sincerest condolences to Steeplejack’s family and friends and to the blog community. He will be missed.

  45. 45.

    moonbat

    I am very sad to hear this. I enjoyed reading his viewpoints and his jokes.

    May his memory be a blessing to his family and those who loved him here.

  47. 47.

    Anyway

    Awww Very sad news. I always enjoyed his posts and vignettes of his life and his presence here.

    Who’s going to text WG when someone breaks the margins?!

    RIP Steep and condolences to his family

  48. 48.

    delphinium

    So sorry to hear this. I always enjoyed his comments and his great music links; his helpful tips to folks on this site were an added bonus. Sincerest condolences to his family and friends.

  51. 51.

    Jackie

    I can’t see for the tears gushing down my face. Steep was THE VOICE I trusted so very, very much first thing in my PT Zone mornings.

    Goodbye, my dear friend, who I only knew through this blog. I will miss your wisdom so, so much. ♥️

  54. 54.

    BeautifulPlumage

    Oh no, such a loss for our community! Condolences to Steep’s family and all who knew him IRL and through his online presence. He will be missed but remembered warmly.

  56. 56.

    Sister Machine Gun of Quiet Harmony

    My condolences to everyone. I enjoyed reading his posts. This makes me sad, too.

  62. 62.

    pika

    Oh no. I loved reading his comments. My sincere condolences to family and the blog friends who had the gift of being able to know him personally

  67. 67.

    stinger

    $10 to NC Canvasser Safety & Security in Steeplejack’s honor. Condolences to his family and friends.

  68. 68.

    Layer8Problem

    I can only come up with “damn”, which others have already said.

    Last month in passing he mentioned a series on MHz, Bukow and Köenig, set in Rostock and really part of a long-running East and then Eastern Germany police procedural show.  I’ve been fascinated with it and I have not had a chance to thank him for the pointer.  I also owed him an apology for making sport of the humidity in the Washington area last year.  Once again, damn.  My profound regrets to his loved ones, including eclare.

  71. 71.

    lowtechcyclist

    Damn, that hurts.  I’ll miss his presence here, and I’d always figured that one of these days, I’d have a chance to meet up with him IRL on one of my occasional jaunts over into northern Virginia.

    Whatever the afterlife is like, I’ll look forward to seeing you there, Steep.

  74. 74.

    Scout211

    @eclare: my sincere condolences to you, eclair.  What a friend you had in Steep.

    May your memories of him be a blessing.  😢 ❤️

  76. 76.

    Betty

    Condolences to his family and all his Balloon Juice friends. Always hurts to lose one of the good people.

  77. 77.

    TaMara

    @eclare: I don’t know about anyone else, but if, when, or ever you feel like it, I would love to hear more stories about the Steep you knew and your friendship. I hope you find comfort in your memories of him. [[hugs]]

    And again, condolences to his friends and family. I’m struggling to find the right words today.

  78. 78.

    Sure Lurkalot

    Condolences to Steeplejack’s family and his many friends (virtual and IRL) here at Balloon Juice. This will leave a big hole in all our hearts.

  81. 81.

    eclare

    @schrodingers_cat:

    Thank you.  Knowing him in real life was a pleasure and honor.  In ATL he organized a Wednesday night movie club, usually seeing independent/foreign films.  And Friday night was Mexican food night at El Torero, usually about five or six of us would show up for margs and dinner.  I’ll never hear him say “freshen that up for you, hon?” when my marg got low again.

  83. 83.

    Layer8Problem

    @zhena gogolia:  Yep, he did come across as seeing it for the silliness it was.  I’m a bit of an agnostic but I hope to properly apologize personally in The Big Afterward.

  84. 84.

    Spanky

    Holy damn! Living on the other side of the Beltway I figured we’d meet up one of these days. Damn.

    Well, maybe we still will meet up one of these days.

    Fair winds, Steep.

  85. 85.

    eclare

    @TaMara:

    He was so thoughtful.  A few months ago he sent some candles to me that he liked, and he thought I would too.

    In our last conversation he said that he was trying to change his voter registration to Black woman, because every other voting bloc had gone insane.  I told him my rep, Steve Cohen, a White Jewish person, tried to join the Congressional Black Caucus since Memphis is majority minority.  Steep said he was his new hero.  The CBC turned him down.

  91. 91.

    eclare

    @schrodingers_cat:

    It was.  Most years I saw probably 45-50 movies.  And we’d go out afterwards for a bite and discuss the movie and anything else.

    Most of the time six to ten people showed up, but occasionally it was just the two of us.

  92. 92.

    jowriter

    @eclare: So sorry you have lost an IRL friend.  That hurts a lot. I’ve been there and at my age have done that too many times. Deepest sympathy to you.

  93. 93.

    eclare

    @jowriter:

    Thank you.  I talked with a mutual friend and told her the news.  We figured he was 71, way too young.

    And he’d just had a colonoscopy last week, which doctors would not give him anesthesia for if he were in poor health.

  94. 94.

    Dagaetch

    I’m so sorry. I mostly lurk here, but his was a nym I recognized and whose comments I always enjoyed. My sympathies to all those missing him.

  95. 95.

    eclare

    I wonder who found him.  His brother who lives in Arlington and his family were on vacation in Brazil, or I would have tried to track him down.  He had a standing dinner date every Saturday night with a former coworker, I wonder if she went to his apt when he didn’t get in touch with her about dinner yesterday.

    I was seriously considering calling the police for a welfare check.

  97. 97.

    Scout211

    @eclare: We figured he was 71, way too young.

     

    I think he was 72. IIRC, we have birthdays less than two weeks apart.  We discovered that the year we both turned the BIG seven-oh.

  102. 102.

    MomSense

    Oh no.  This is heartbreaking.  Damn.  I hope he gets to see his sweet kitty and make sure her heating pad is set up the way she likes it.  I don’t know what I believe about the afterlife but I would like to believe they are reunited.

  104. 104.

    eclare

    @raven:

    We went for specific films, but we were at Garden Hills a lot.  Also Tara, Phipps, and the theater near Piedmont Park, the name escapes me at the moment.

  107. 107.

    frosty

    Oh no, what sad news. Steeplejack was one of my favorite commenters. Always friendly, kind, and funny. Condolences to friends and family. What a loss.

  109. 109.

    WaterGirl

    @eclare: Something like that.

    As is obvious from your comment about movie nights and mexican food nights, Steep had rituals and standing dates.

    Friday mornings were take his friend without a car to go shopping, and she called for a wellness check when he couldn’t be reached.

  112. 112.

    NeenerNeener

    Oh damn. We’re losing too many of the good ones, and at a critical time.

    RIP, Steeplejack.

  113. 113.

    Jinchi

    Sorry to hear it. Wish the best for his family and those of you who were personally close to him.

  115. 115.

    eclare

    @WaterGirl:

    That’s the same person he has dinner with every Saturday night.  I worried when he did not respond to my “please check in” text on Friday.

  116. 116.

    eclare

    @raven:

    Oh, and what was the one on Ponce?  We went to that theater quite a bit too.  It was on Ponce right before the Olmsted parks start as you drive out of town.

    I googled, The Plaza.

  118. 118.

    TBone

    RIPower, Steep.

    And when great souls die,
    after a period peace blooms,
    slowly and always
    irregularly. Spaces fill
    with a kind of
    soothing electric vibration.
    Our senses, restored, never
    to be the same, whisper to us.
    They existed. They existed.
    We can be. Be and be
    better. For they existed.

    – Maya Angelou

  119. 119.

    p.a.

    Deepest sympathy to his biological family and friends and digital family as well.  “He brightened his corner.”

  120. 120.

    KayInMD (formerly Kay (not the front-pager))

    Damn. One of the names I always recognize and look forward to reading, even if I’m skimming comments. He will be sorely missed.

    Out of a feeling of helplessness, and as a way to remember him, I’ve donated to NC Canvasser Safety & Security in his honor.

  124. 124.

    Villago Delenda Est

    I am at a total loss.  Deepest condolences to his family.  He will be missed in this community.

  125. 125.

    NutmegAgain

    So, so sorry to hear. Sending love & comfort to all his people. He will be missed.

  126. 126.

    Wolvesvalley

    @KayInMD (formerly Kay (not the front-pager)):

    Out of a feeling of helplessness, and as a way to remember him, I’ve donated to NC Canvasser Safety & Security in his honor.

    This is better than saying “Oh, no” over and over as I was doing. Thanks for the push to do something. I just donated $100 for Steep’s sake.

    May his memory be a blessing for all of us.

  129. 129.

    KRK

    Oh, no! What a terrible loss for BJ and so much more so for those who knew and loved him out there in the real world. May his memory be a blessing.

  130. 130.

    Betty Cracker

    Oh damn it, this is such terrible news! Steep was such a good guy — smart, charming, witty and kind. His references to the “doughty Kia” always made me smile (the turn of phrase inspired me to start calling my own vehicle the “rattletrap Jeep” — a sincere form of flattery).

    I will fondly recall Steep’s accounts of life on Threadkill Lane and his vivid descriptions of simple pleasures, like a meal and a beer at a local tavern. Once years ago during an unusually heavy snowfall on the Eastern Seaboard, I posted pics and remarks from people in the area, and Steep’s sense of wonder shone through in his account.

    I will miss his gentle humor, wry observations and heartfelt words of support during hard times. I will even miss — dog help me! — his frequent forays into pedantry, which he undertook only because words truly mattered to our friend Steep.

    So I’ll end with these words: “Good night, sweet prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.”

  136. 136.

    eclare

    @Betty Cracker:

    He went to journalism school at the University of Missouri and originally worked as a journalist for the Mobile Press-Register.  Yes, words mattered to him.

  137. 137.

    Eyeroller

    @eclare: As someone with way more experience in this type of thing than I ever wanted to have, they don’t do pre-op exams for the level of sedation normally used for a colonoscopy. So that’s not indicative of anything.

    A similar thing happened to a beloved member of one of my programming communities; similar age, found deceased in his apartment where he lived alone. He did have a known cardiac issue but had seemed to be managing it well.  And sometimes it’s there but not known.

  138. 138.

    Old School

    What sad news!  My sympathies to Steep’s family and friends.  The B-J Community will be less without him.

  139. 139.

    Rileys Enabler

    Well, damn. That’s just crap news and I’m very sorry to hear it. Condolences to his friends and family; I will miss his even, funny posts. Holding his memory in the light. Damn.

  141. 141.

    WaterGirl

    @Betty Cracker: Oh, Betty, your words here would have made Steep so happy.  He would have been in heaven reading that.

    edit: Just after typing that and hitting post, I started to reach for the phone to tell Steep about what you’d written.  That broke my heart.

  142. 142.

    Ann Marie

    I am so sorry to hear of his passing.  As a lurker, I always enjoyed his comments and looked for them in threads.

  143. 143.

    Jackie in NC

    My condolences to all who miss him.  I enjoyed his comments and his kindness.

     

    i also kicked in $100 to NC security, I find comfort in action in the face of sadness and loss

  144. 144.

    PatrickG

    He was one of my favorite commenters. His warmth and personality just bubbled through the impersonal medium of a blog comment. As sad as I am right now having never known him IRL, I can only offer my deepest condolences to people who will sorely miss his grace in their lives.

    I hope there’s some consolation in community here, and knowing this is a space people like him can call (virtual) home.

  145. 145.

    Eyeroller

    @eclare: I live alone and once I retire I probably won’t have many IRL contacts with the outside world. I am female and thus less prone to sudden cardiac death or the like at that age, but it happens to women as well, plus other hazards e.g. a cat tripping me and causing me to hit my head on tile. When I hear about cases like Steeplejack or the acquaintance I mentioned, it is particularly sad and distressing to me.

  146. 146.

    SFAW

    Terrible news. I am so sad to see this, Steep was a good guy.

    Condolences to his family.

  147. 147.

    eclare

    @Eyeroller:

    Same.  I lost another good friend that I routinely texted with last year.  In a very strange coincidence, Steep had just done some estate planning (within the past few months) to set up some things and name beneficiaries.  Damn.

  148. 148.

    Nukular Biskits

    @eclare:

    He went to journalism school at the University of Missouri and originally worked as a journalist for the Mobile Press-Register. Yes, words mattered to him.

    I thought the name “Brailler” looked familiar although I may have him confused with someone else.

    When was he at the Press-Register?

  149. 149.

    WaterGirl

    We are just about $750 short of meeting our NC fundraising goal – because the $2,500 angel from yesterday hasn’t added their donation yet – and an anonymous donor just wrote to say that they want to do the last angel match on this in honor of Steeplejack.

  150. 150.

    J. Arthur Crank

    Damn.  That’s a punch in the gut.  Condolences to his family and friends.

  153. 153.

    Ohio Mom

    Oh No!!
    I am devastated to hear this.
    I don’t know what else to say.
    Deepest sympathies to his family and eclare.

  154. 154.

    Ohio Mom

    @TaMara:In a way, I am not surprise Steeplejack organized social events because he tried organizing us. He kept track of our birthdays and other bits and pieces about us all.

    As Schrodinger’s cat points out @30, he was BJ’s archivist and historian.

  157. 157.

    eclare

    @TaMara:

    It’s so weird that after each of us moved away from ATL, we found each other here.  I moved to Memphis in 2004, and he moved to Arlington in 2005, and we kept up with each other through email.

    I can’t remember when I found BJ, 2010? 2012?  but I noticed Steep was looking for a new apt, and my friend Burt was looking for a new apt.  The comments posted here and his emails to me were practically identical.  I finally asked, “Are you Steeplejack?”  He said yes.  Strange, or maybe not, how friends gravitate to the same place.

  158. 158.

    HumboldtBlue

    What the fuck? Steeplejack was one of the best commenters! He was a prime reason to read comments! Fuck!

  159. 159.

    SkyBluePink

    Steeplejack was a gentleman.  Deepest sympathy to his family and all who shared his life.

  162. 162.

    eclare

    @SkyBluePink:

    Yes.  We were at Thanksgiving dinner at a friend’s house in 2004, and someone there neither of us knew propositioned me in very explicit terms.  I was stunned speechless.  Steep jumped in and told the guy in no uncertain terms to stop that shit or it would get physical.  The guy shut up.

    Like you said, a gentleman.

  163. 163.

    dww44

    @HumboldtBlue: I agree and am especially enjoying the IRl stories that eclare has been sharing  I will miss his always sane, rational and enlightening comments that were never cruel.

  165. 165.

    Tenar Arha

    Steep, I hope that you and efgoldman are having a nice catch-up in the good place.

    QFT And may his memory be a blessing for his family and the jackalariat.

  167. 167.

    Mousebumples

    Steep will be sorely missed, though I hope his spirit will live on in our efforts, advocacy, and – yes – pedantry related to the written word.

    My thoughts and condolences to his family and his friends – both his online friends, IRL friends, and those Jackals that were fortunate to know the man behind the nym.

  169. 169.

    🐾BillinGlendaleCA

    Very sad news to wake up to here on the left coast before I don the tactical gear(pants) and head to the Orange Place.  His voice will be greatly missed here and condolences to his friends and family.

  170. 170.

    AM in NC

    I don’t comment often, but I read every day – posts and comments.

    Just horrible news about a valued member of this community. He will be very much missed here. Sending love and comfort to Steeplejack’s family and friends.

  172. 172.

    There go two miscreants

    Such sad news! Sympathy to his family and those who knew him IRL, as well as to the community here.

  174. 174.

    eclare

    I hope the woman who he drove to run errands because she doesn’t have a car gets the doughty Kia.  I think Steep would want that, he was very much a “pay it forward” kind of person.

  179. 179.

    divF

    My condolences to his family. He was a kind presence here, and will be all the more missed in these difficult days.

    @eclare: Did he go to high school on Okinawa? If so, I think I have found a HS yearbook supplement where there are pictures.  

  180. 180.

    eclare

    @divF:

    Yes he did!  Kadena Air Force base.  He was a very accomplished swimmer in high school, went to meets in Tokyo.

  183. 183.

    seefleur

    Another fine jackal gone… so sad to hear this. RIP, and fair winds for Steeplejack.

  184. 184.

    caphilldcne

    RIP Steeplejack.  My condolences to the family, eclare and all who knew him well.

  189. 189.

    eclare

    @divF:

    He looks so somber in those photos.  IRL he was always laughing, unless he was on one of his many righteous rants.

    Thanks for finding this!

    I think he was on FB if you want to see a more recent photo.

  192. 192.

    One of the Many Jens

    Oh no, I am so so sorry to hear that. My condolences and best wishes to all who loved him. I will miss him.

  193. 193.

    SFBayAreaGal

    My condolences to the family and friends that loved Burt Bralliar aka Steeplejack.

    I will miss you.

  198. 198.

    Another Scott

    Oh no. :-(

    His stories of life in NoVA helped give this place part of its unique voice. He will be greatly missed.

    Peace and comfort to his family and all who knew and loved him.

    Best wishes,
    Scott.

  199. 199.

    Ruckus

    Steep, Rest in Peace.

    A good person, reached his end early. He touched a lot of people, he will be missed.

  201. 201.

    Ben Cisco

    This hurts.

    Loved his insights, and he was a brother in music – LOVED the music threads.

    Condolences to the family and all who loved him.

    Fair winds and following seas my friend.

  204. 204.

    catpal

    So sad. Condolences to his family and all who knew him. Will be very much missed for all of his kind, funny and helpful comments.

  205. 205.

    something fabulous

    Oh no. Anastasio and eclare, so sorry for your loss and to all Steep’s friends and family, sending deepest condolences. My own memory of Steeplejack is that replying to him in a jokey way about some grammatical point was my first-ever comment here: I felt very brave. And he replied in kind! I guess I always felt like he was our– concierge? is not the right word– certainly Historian and Archivist was his true title (Thanks, S-C), but some kind of greeter/benevolent overseer. How perfect, in its way, that I can’t find the right word! Steep, we will all miss you, truly more than words can say.

  208. 208.

    eclare

    @something fabulous:

    Besides birthdays, he also kept track if people said where they lived.  It was a big pet peeve of his if people said something like “the weather here is gorgeous today!”  without saying where “here” was.  It bugs me too, so I always include my location.

  213. 213.

    eclare

    I just saw a funny tweet from John Cole, and my first thought was to send it to Steep.  That will be a hard habit to break.

  214. 214.

    Wanderer

    My condolences to everyone in Steep’s orbit.  Glad this site was part of it.  His voice will be missed.

  215. 215.

    Lacuna Synecdoche

    A bit late to the memorial. I just wanted to add my condolences to Steep’s brother, family, and friends.

    Like hundreds of people who’ve already commented above, I will miss him, his presence here, and his comments and writing.

  217. 217.

    Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)

    This is very sad news. Steeplejack was always an interesting person to talk to. I greatly enjoyed talking to him about watches when I got into them last year. Condolences to his family and friends

    RIP

  218. 218.

    something fabulous

    @eclare: Yes! From here in LA ( :) ) I would love if you would do that if you felt up to it. How lovely. [ETA in honor of Steep: of course I mean, “Los Angeles” not “Louisiana” <3 ]

  220. 220.

    Debbie(Aussie)

    How do you say goodbye to someone you’ve known for almost 20 years. Listened to every day, think of as a friend, but, never met IRL. Steep, I will miss you! Your pedantiveness(?) you’re love of language and your ability to google and find anything. Your love for your family always shone through your writing. Your Mum and her not sharing her cooking secrets. Your bother his partner and your niece and nephew at Sighthound Hall. And your other brother who if memory serves, lives in Las Vegas near your Mum.

    to Burt and his family, know that he was loved and will be missed by so many jackals.

    may he rest in peace  and may his memory bring you comfort and soon a smile ot two.

    love from down under

    debbie

  221. 221.

    Paul in KY

    My condolences to Steeplejacks’s family and his friends here on Balloon Juice. Always enjoyed reading his comments/thoughts.

  223. 223.

    David

    I don’t know this community and was unaware of my long lost friend’s involvement but can see from the sentiments posted he was as valued and loved here as he was by those of us who knew, worked, played and lived with him in Mobile in the early-mid 80s.  He was my best man when I married and such a dear soul.  We lost touch tragically and I am heartbroken.  We knew and loved him as “Doc” of SATBOD.☮️🙏

  227. 227.

    satisfiedguy43

    @eclare: I am sad to hear about Burt’s passing. Those movie nights were great as long as his razor sharp wit did not slice at one. But even if it did one had to admit he was funny and right.

  228. 228.

    WaterGirl

    @David: @Enid Grigg: @satisfiedguy43:

    All of you must be friends of Steeplejack / Burt in the olden days?  Welcome!  But sorry about the reason.

    Please send me emai if you want to be notified when we have our online celebration of life post for Steep in the upcoming weeks.

    You can reach me at watergirl at balloon-juice.com

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