I've been away from Mudcat for a few days, so I missed this news.

Like a few others who've posted here, I never met the man, but knew him through Mudcat. He was a strong, articulate voice. What especially strikes me is the effect of his passing on the MC community. I wish I could live my life so as to influence so many lives as Rick Fielding did. Clearly a very special man. My condolences to Mrs Fielding. And to you all as well, the people who love him.

As for musical sendoffs, how about a quote from Violetta Parra of Chile? (Imagine sung as she sang it, slowly and tenderly.)

Gracias a la vida que me ha dado tanto.
Me ha dado la risa, me ha dado el llanto.
Así yo distingo dicha de quebranto,
Todos materiales que forman mi canto,
Y el canto de ustedes que es es mismo canto.

(Thanks to life, which has given me so much.
It has given me laughter and it has given me tears.
Thus I distinguish between joy and pain,
That are all elements of my song
and of your song, which the same song.)

Doug aka darkriver