Obit: John Robinson aka JohnInKansas Apr 10, 2014

Subject: RE: Obit: John Robinson aka JohnInKansas Apr 10, 2014
From: GUEST,Stim
Date: 15 Apr 14 - 11:41 PM

I am also shocked and saddened. John surely holds the record for contributing the most to Mudcat, in terms of sheer volume, without ever insulting or offending anyone. I seem to recall that his chosen occupation had been in writing informational pamphlets, which seemed appropriate. I can think of no other way to account for his comfortable and effortless skill at explaining things.

It seemed to me that, in his kind and affable way, he had a compulsion to write. His postings were extensive and detailed, to the degree it was difficult to imagine how anyone could put that much effort into a posting on an internet forum. But he did.

I will also point out something that we all had perhaps noticed, but no one has yet mentioned, and that is that on the occasion that John didn't actually have an answer to the subject at hand, he would write about something that he did know about. You absolutely had to love him for that!

I haven't looked at the listing of his posts, but I reckon that that he wrote the equivalent of hundreds, or thousands of print pages in explanations, for our edification and amusement.

So John, I only hope you gained as much from writing them as we did from reading them. We love you, we'll miss you, and no one will ever take your place.

Subject: RE: Obit: John Robinson aka JohnInKansas Apr 10, 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Apr 14 - 12:17 AM

Thanks, Al. I know a few cards and letters will be headed to Lin. Garg, I'll get back to you on that.

Quite often others of us would offer answers in tech queries, but when John posted that usually became the settled precedent of the topic, and the remaining conversation would be to tease out details. Now we really need to be on our toes - his are huge shoes to fill.

John didn't only post on tech topics, he shared a lot of music, and he was interested in environmental topics. The last thread he started was Climate Change Again - New Report.

Also, this is part of his book-scanning project: When Does it Get to Be Folk?.

SRS

Subject: RE: Obit: John Robinson aka JohnInKansas Apr 10, 2014
From: Uncle Phil
Date: 16 Apr 14 - 01:09 AM

I'm sorry that more of you didn't get to meet John in the "3D world". I've been reading through this thread and see that JohnInKansas was known as a friendly, extremely well-informed and endlessly helpful Mudcatter. My 3D world friend John Robinson was all of those things and much more. He was a delightfully irascible, cantankerous, opinionated old fart, forever curious about everything and forever busy with some project or another. John was my spirit guide to the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, Kansas -- he had been going to Winfield for over 3 decades - where he rarely, if ever, went to the stage shows. He loved hanging around the campground with friends and working on campsite improvements with the trailer full of tools he brought to camp. I thought I was a tool junkie until found out that John had a drill press as part of his camping gear. John missed Winfield last year, though Lin did come down for a day. It wasn't the same without them. I hope the plans for a wake for John at Winfield work out. He would love it.
- Phil Wirth (aka phil_doubleu)
John, Lin and I have posted hundreds of photos of Winfield over the years. Out of those hundreds of photos, the only he ever asked for a copy of was this one...
JohnInKansas

Subject: RE: Obit: John Robinson aka JohnInKansas Apr 10, 2014
From: Will Fly
Date: 16 Apr 14 - 06:29 AM

Well I'll be damned - another good man gone. RIP John.

Subject: RE: Obit: John Robinson aka JohnInKansas Apr 10, 2014
From: GUEST,nickp cookieless at work
Date: 16 Apr 14 - 07:47 AM

Such a shame. The loss of a huge contributor. His advice will certainly be missed.

Subject: RE: Obit: John Robinson aka JohnInKansas Apr 10, 2014
From: Howard Jones
Date: 16 Apr 14 - 08:03 AM

Little to add to what's already been said. Sad news indeed.

Subject: RE: Obit: John Robinson aka JohnInKansas Apr 10, 2014
From: GUEST,Fred McCormick
Date: 16 Apr 14 - 08:08 AM

I never knew John personally, but I always found him to be extremely expert and extremely helpful as far as anything to do with computers was concerned. He certainly got me out of a few holes.

I hope they've made it through to the digital era up in heaven. If so he'll never be stuck for something to do.

Subject: RE: Obit: John Robinson aka JohnInKansas Apr 10, 2014
From: treewind
Date: 16 Apr 14 - 08:24 AM

Like many I guess, I never met John, but I certainly knew his online personality and appreciated his wit and wisdom. One of the good guys. What a shock. Condolences to his friends and family.

Anahata

Subject: RE: Obit: John Robinson aka JohnInKansas Apr 10, 2014
From: cooperman
Date: 16 Apr 14 - 08:28 AM

A great contributor. Always helpful, always humble RIP

Subject: RE: Obit: John Robinson aka JohnInKansas Apr 10, 2014
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 16 Apr 14 - 08:30 AM

Very helpful and well-informed chap.

Subject: RE: Obit: John Robinson aka JohnInKansas Apr 10, 2014
From: Jack Campin
Date: 16 Apr 14 - 09:09 AM

Uncle Phil - for me, your photo link didn't work, and what I got instead was Flickr searching for every image of kittens they have (which is rather a lot). Was that intentional?

Seconded, what everyone else has said. But now I'm curious to see what he looked like.

Subject: RE: Obit: John Robinson aka JohnInKansas Apr 10, 2014
From: Cool Beans
Date: 16 Apr 14 - 09:18 AM

Very sorry to hear of John's death. Rest in peace, John.

Subject: RE: Obit: John Robinson aka JohnInKansas Apr 10, 2014
From: Mr Red
Date: 16 Apr 14 - 09:25 AM

I am sure he will be sorting out any techie issues with the gate keeper.
The thing that always struck me was that he could correct your misguided facts without giving offence. Now there is a lot of that here (usually) but it is always rewarding to see.

Subject: RE: Obit: John Robinson aka JohnInKansas Apr 10, 2014
From: Megan L
Date: 16 Apr 14 - 09:43 AM

Jack not sure how to correct it but if you just type Winfield into the search box in the page that opens Johns picture comes up

Subject: RE: Obit: John Robinson aka JohnInKansas Apr 10, 2014
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Apr 14 - 09:49 AM

Sorry about that, Jack. Try this link instead.
JohnInKansas

Subject: RE: Obit: John Robinson aka JohnInKansas Apr 10, 2014
From: Uncle Phil
Date: 16 Apr 14 - 09:54 AM

That last post was from me on someone else's computer.
- Phil

Subject: RE: Obit: John Robinson aka JohnInKansas Apr 10, 2014
From: SINSULL
Date: 16 Apr 14 - 10:40 AM

Very sad. RIP John.

Subject: RE: Obit: John Robinson aka JohnInKansas Apr 10, 2014
From: Jack Campin
Date: 16 Apr 14 - 11:13 AM

Thanks for the photo!

Somehow I hadn't imagined him looking quite as straight-up folky.

What was his mandolin playing like?

Subject: RE: Obit: John Robinson aka JohnInKansas Apr 10, 2014
From: Bill D
Date: 16 Apr 14 - 11:16 AM

Oh my... because I had lived in Wichita many years ago, and had been to the Winfield festival, John & I had compared notes on the campground and the festival - and also on many technical issues of fonts. I had intended to get back to Wichita one more time to see some friends, and had intended to meet John at least once.
His breadth of knowledge on so many topics amazed me, and I will, as so many others have said, miss his timely and informative posts.

Lin... please know how that so many of us, though it was only online, knew John as not only a good guy, but also an important one. Please say hello here if & when you are up to it.


'bye, John...

Subject: RE: Obit: John Robinson aka JohnInKansas Apr 10, 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Apr 14 - 11:42 AM

What a great photo, Phil! Thanks for posting the link. I hadn't imagined someone who looked as "folkie" either. :) And a drill press in his camping gear - that doesn't surprise me, for some reason. We need some more smiles, I hope a few other "3-D" friends come along with interesting observations.


P.S. I looked it up - Lin is for "Linda" in Lin_in_Kansas, apologies for the extra "n".

Subject: RE: Obit: John Robinson aka JohnInKansas Apr 10, 2014
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Apr 14 - 12:11 PM

Does anyone know that Lin is doing ok?

Subject: RE: Obit: John Robinson aka JohnInKansas Apr 10, 2014
From: gnu
Date: 16 Apr 14 - 02:36 PM

I too was elated to see the pic. Thanks. To echo others, not 'quite what I expected' but that doesn't surprise me. JiK surprised me with almost every post. I remember posting a number of times to threads which asked a question or sought help in some way, something like... "Blah, blah, blah but just wait... JiK will be along soon to sort it for you." Also I quipped (teased) with him by times, saying things like "JiK knows everything." because that's the way it seemed.

Most importantly, nice guy. Real nice guy.

Subject: RE: Obit: John Robinson aka JohnInKansas Apr 10, 2014
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Apr 14 - 03:37 PM

In a personal exchange with John I'd asked him if he still played sax, something he'd done in his younger days. He replied, "Yes, but now I do it on a mandolin." He was a gentleman and he seemed to know lots about almost everything. Seriously smart man and a great sense of humour. I'm still shocked and greatly saddened when I see his obit notice.

Subject: RE: Obit: John Robinson aka JohnInKansas Apr 10, 2014
From: JHW
Date: 16 Apr 14 - 04:42 PM

Very sorry to learn this, sad to lose a man I knew only from text on a computer screen (which I just used but he knew how it worked!). Always helpful and comprehensively authoritative.

Subject: RE: Obit: John Robinson aka JohnInKansas Apr 10, 2014
From: Gurney
Date: 16 Apr 14 - 05:01 PM

I've never met, nor expected to meet John, but he helped me on this forum with his hugely broad knowledge. I'll miss him.
Commiserations to his family and friends.

Subject: RE: Obit: John Robinson aka JohnInKansas Apr 10, 2014
From: GUEST,Arkie
Date: 16 Apr 14 - 05:58 PM

Mudcat will certainly not be the same. John was always helpful and did so generously. He also responded to obscure requests that were of little interest to anyone else. He provided information that I personally needed on many occasions. His loss will be deeply felt. His legacy will continue on.

Subject: RE: Obit: John Robinson aka JohnInKansas Apr 10, 2014
From: Bert
Date: 16 Apr 14 - 06:05 PM

Bugger, as Dave said. But that doesn't seem to cover it. I'm going to go outside and cuss a lot and I'll howl at the moon tonight and sing a song for him.

Gonna miss him.

Subject: RE: Obit: John Robinson aka JohnInKansas Apr 10, 2014
From: Janie
Date: 16 Apr 14 - 06:31 PM

Thanks for posting that wonderful photograph.

Subject: RE: Obit: John Robinson aka JohnInKansas Apr 10, 2014
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 16 Apr 14 - 06:46 PM

Very sad news. My good wishes go to all his nearest and dearest.

Subject: RE: Obit: John Robinson aka JohnInKansas Apr 10, 2014
From: Rog Peek
Date: 16 Apr 14 - 07:08 PM

Only knew John from his postings which were always interesting and informative.

Very shocked to hear this sad news, sincere condolences to his family.

Rog

Subject: RE: Obit: John Robinson aka JohnInKansas Apr 10, 2014
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 16 Apr 14 - 07:51 PM

Very sad news. I never met him, but always found his posts here informative, friendly and respectful. He'll be missed. Condolences to his family and friends.

Subject: RE: Obit: John Robinson aka JohnInKansas Apr 10, 2014
From: Alice
Date: 16 Apr 14 - 08:29 PM

This is such sad news. My condolences to his family.

Alice

Subject: RE: Obit: John Robinson aka JohnInKansas Apr 10, 2014
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 16 Apr 14 - 09:40 PM

I already posted, but now I'm adding my thanks for the photo link.

Subject: RE: Obit: John Robinson aka JohnInKansas Apr 10, 2014
From: GUEST,Lin in Kansas
Date: 17 Apr 14 - 01:11 AM

Bless all of you for all the tributes to John. He loved music and he loved teaching and sharing knowledge on anything he was interested in, and he had very broad interests. I won't be posting a full-scale obituary for awhile yet, but it will be printed later in the Wichita Eagle newspaper.

To let everyone know:

We are planning a day-long "wake" at the Winfield Festival this year, on Saturday Sept. 20th, at the Waterhole Camp in the Pecan Grove. John didn't want a funeral or any kind of religious gathering, so since he went to Winfield for so many years (the first trip we took together from Washington was the 2,000-mile trip to Winfield--and he hooked me, too), we felt that would be the best venue to celebrate his life and music. Anyone who can attend is welcome. BYOB; coffee available all day.

John's ashes are to be buried in the Goodwin-Emmons Cemetery near Higgins, TX, where my son is also buried. I am confident he will qualify for a Veteran's service there. A date has not yet been set for burial.

Thank you Phil, for posting the photo and your help and Stilly's in starting this thread. Y'all made me smile and cry and be even happier I was his wife for more than 20 years. The family has rallied around and I want for nothing.

Gratefully,
Lin in Kansas

Subject: RE: Obit: John Robinson aka JohnInKansas Apr 10, 2014
From: catspaw49
Date: 17 Apr 14 - 09:23 AM

I come late but with great sorrow in my heart. Jon and Lin have become a part of the Mudcat fabric. He will be missed sorely here. Whenever the question needed answering, John was there. I was amazed at his breadth and depth of knowledge which he shared so clearly.

Lin, you and I have been buddies here for a long time and I have no words except to say I am so sorry ..... You have all my best.    Please take care of yourself.


Pat

Subject: RE: Obit: John Robinson aka JohnInKansas Apr 10, 2014
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 17 Apr 14 - 09:42 AM

So sorry for your loss Lin!
John will be greatly missed on Mudcat for his wisdom and dignity!

Subject: RE: Obit: John Robinson aka JohnInKansas Apr 10, 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Apr 14 - 11:27 AM

Lin, Higgins may be in Texas, but the drive probably feels like two states away from the Metroplex. If you find yourself wandering further south when you're in the state, drop me a line - the guest room is always ready, ever since I decluttered it. And please do stop by the most recent in the long-running declutter threads, we haven't seen you there in ages. You may also want to stop by the Jane's Rainbow thread.

Subject: RE: Obit: John Robinson aka JohnInKansas Apr 10, 2014
From: Pete Jennings
Date: 17 Apr 14 - 12:40 PM

What a shock. What a loss to Mudcat.

RIP, JiK.

(Great photo Uncle Phil).

Subject: RE: Obit: John Robinson aka JohnInKansas Apr 10, 2014
From: Lighter
Date: 17 Apr 14 - 12:48 PM

Am so thickheaded that I only now recognized whom this thread is about.

JohninKansas always offered good and sensible comments on computers and everything else.

This is a shock and sad indeed. My condolences to all.

Subject: RE: Obit: John Robinson aka JohnInKansas Apr 10, 2014
From: Lin in Kansas
Date: 17 Apr 14 - 05:06 PM

Again, thank you all for your wonderful comments and condolences. Spaw, we both thought of you as a 3D friend even though we never met in person. Stilly, thank you so much for the kind invitation; wish I could take you up on it. And I will visit the declutter threads, as that's much of what everyone is doing around here these days...

Lim

Subject: RE: Obit: John Robinson aka JohnInKansas Apr 10, 2014
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 17 Apr 14 - 05:19 PM

I am so sorry to (belatedly) read this news.

John was always very helpful to me over the years with his replies to my banal technical inquiries, and his replies were never condescending, much though they would have been entitled to be.

RIP, John...

Subject: RE: Obit: John Robinson aka JohnInKansas Apr 10, 2014
From: GUEST,saulgoldie
Date: 17 Apr 14 - 05:22 PM

I am very sorry to hear this. Condolences to his loved ones. RIP, John.

Saul

Subject: RE: Obit: John Robinson aka JohnInKansas Apr 10, 2014
From: Brian Peters
Date: 17 Apr 14 - 05:25 PM

I too read many of John's contributions and was always struck by his expertise, generosity and patience. He will be greatly missed.

Subject: RE: Obit: John Robinson aka JohnInKansas Apr 10, 2014
From: Gary T
Date: 18 Apr 14 - 02:26 AM

I've had the good fortune to spend many pleasant occasions visiting with John and Lin at Winfield. I'll look forward to seeing Lin again, but of course will miss John.

One thing that sticks in my mind is the double bass he designed and played. Double washtub bass, that is. It had two washtubs joined at their open ends, making a resonating chamber with twice the volume of the typical washtub bass -- clever concept and clever name. Unsurprisingly, the rest of its details were superior to those on the average washtub bass as well. Product of a brilliant and slightly (though delightfully) kooky mind.

I'll cherish my memories of him.

Subject: RE: Obit: John Robinson aka JohnInKansas Apr 10, 2014
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 18 Apr 14 - 05:50 AM

John and I exchanged posts several times in Mudcat...sometimes we agreed on various things....but I just got a post, via the Inter-Galactic-Space-Internet, and I got this:

"To Linda,
If she lives till age shall scatter,
May the frost be upon her head,
I'll love her as much and just the same,
As the morning we were wed.
But if the angels call me,
And I go to heaven before,
She'll know me, when she sees me,
For I'll kiss her at the door."

Keep him in your heart...you'll see him again!

GfS

Subject: RE: Obit: John Robinson aka JohnInKansas Apr 10, 2014
From: Andrez
Date: 18 Apr 14 - 08:57 AM

Just saw this thread and wanting to make a small affirmation on behalf of all southern hemisphere 'catters to the heartfelt expressions of loss, love and friendship in the posts above on hearing the news of Johns passing.

Rest in peace,

Andrez

Subject: RE: Obit: John Robinson aka JohnInKansas Apr 10, 2014
From: GUEST,MikeL2
Date: 18 Apr 14 - 02:16 PM

Hi

Sad news. I never met John. Only here on Mudcat.

He helped me with a few technical problems from time to time.

Rest in Peace John

My condolences to family and friends.

MikeL2

Subject: RE: Obit: John Robinson aka JohnInKansas Apr 10, 2014
From: Uncle Phil
Date: 18 Apr 14 - 06:29 PM

Ah yes, Gary T, the famous (infamous?) double washtub bass. One of the unique features was dolly wheels to roll it to the streets of the Pecan Grove to serve as John's chick magnet. It worked quite well for that too.

Subject: RE: Obit: John Robinson aka JohnInKansas Apr 10, 2014
From: Lin in Kansas
Date: 19 Apr 14 - 01:00 PM

Uncle Phil-

LOL--He became a "professional" musician with that bass. He was playing on the road one night when a man dropped a dollar on the bass...of course by the time John split the money with his two sidemen, it wasn't a very lucrative gig!

He had people following him from place to place when he was wheeling the bass around too, because with the two tubs, it sure looked like a beer keg. I think he considered adding a spigot to it just for fun, but didn't want to mess up the sound. He did love to show that thing off. Gary, thank you for all the music and pleasure of your company. I still love "Frog Kissing."

Lin

Subject: RE: Obit: John Robinson aka JohnInKansas Apr 10, 2014
From: Uncle Phil
Date: 19 Apr 14 - 04:43 PM

Lin, we were talking the other night about the time you, Michelle, and John were stranded over by Country Corner with a dead battery. I was at an Irish session when Michelle called me. I came over to find and possibly rescue you. By the time I got there John had already tapped into power and hooked up a battery charger, so we all sat around talking about Irish music. When the talk turned to penny whistles John reached down into his bag and pulled out a roll of penny whistles various keys, just in case someone needed one, you understand. It turned out there was also a nice selection of diatonic harmonicas in various keys in the same bag, just in case. I don't recall ever seeing John play penny whistle or harmonica, though I suppose he did.