RIP - Blue Falcon
Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 1:17 pm
In April of 2007 I was told that Blue Falcon, who I've played Descent with many times, was seriously sick so I got his email address from another player and sent him a get well message. The following day he wrote back and we've been trading messages ever since. We talked about the battle he was facing, his love for cars, our careers, and a host of other things and although I only knew him as an opponent he was someone that I really liked. His taunts during the games made me laugh, and as a gentleman, he was one of the nicer people in the midst of those who weren't so nice so on my list of things that mattered to me he was someone that mattered.
His treatments were causing him a lot of pain over those sixteen months but his messages always remained upbeat even when late last month his doctors told him they couldn't do anything else for him. Last week he said they were moving him to a hospice and he may not be able to write me anymore. His goodbye message to me was something I wasn't prepared for and for the first time I didn't know what to say to him. There was no part of my brain that was set up for this so I just sat there in front of my screen and shed tears for a person I never met.
I had to wait a few days to build up the courage to write him what I thought would be my last message. Not knowing what else to say I gave him my personal view on what I believe happens after the transition from life to death, and yes, I had already told him that I was an atheist. A few days later I received a message from his wife Helen telling me that what I said brought hope and peace to both of them. I felt immense relief that he understood.
Last night his wife sent me a message that her husband Bert Engle...alias Blue Falcon...passed away yesterday morning at the age of 48. He was a great person and as long as I play this game I will remember him. I also told her he was respected and liked by all of us and if anyone wants to send his wife an email just send me a PM and I will give you her address and just for your info, she has the email with all the player names that replied to my get-well post a year ago and she told me it made his day.
Bettina
His treatments were causing him a lot of pain over those sixteen months but his messages always remained upbeat even when late last month his doctors told him they couldn't do anything else for him. Last week he said they were moving him to a hospice and he may not be able to write me anymore. His goodbye message to me was something I wasn't prepared for and for the first time I didn't know what to say to him. There was no part of my brain that was set up for this so I just sat there in front of my screen and shed tears for a person I never met.
I had to wait a few days to build up the courage to write him what I thought would be my last message. Not knowing what else to say I gave him my personal view on what I believe happens after the transition from life to death, and yes, I had already told him that I was an atheist. A few days later I received a message from his wife Helen telling me that what I said brought hope and peace to both of them. I felt immense relief that he understood.
Last night his wife sent me a message that her husband Bert Engle...alias Blue Falcon...passed away yesterday morning at the age of 48. He was a great person and as long as I play this game I will remember him. I also told her he was respected and liked by all of us and if anyone wants to send his wife an email just send me a PM and I will give you her address and just for your info, she has the email with all the player names that replied to my get-well post a year ago and she told me it made his day.
Bettina
