Tom Casselman, AKA "MamaMoose" 1933-2010

[Paddy]

Yesterday evening, having not received any response from Tom's email during the fall, RHP called his house and received the sad news. This is his tribute to Tom. He will be greatly missed at TS.

~ Paddy

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With profound regret we report that our friend and treasured TeeEss Founder Thomas N. Casselman, Ph.D. passed away on August 30, 2010 from pancreatic cancer, following an illness of less than two weeks or so.

For persons wishing to honor his memory, the family has established the Tom Casselman Scholarship Fund in care of Tobi Davis, 3023 Scenicwood Lane, Woodridge, IL 60517.

He is at peace.

Since Tom (aka MamaMoose) was one of the Birthday-Boys (and Girl) of February (about whom perhaps you have already heard enough!) and because I did not receive any response to an e-inquiry last autumn to his address, I decided to call his home Monday evening to wish him a happy birthday. Thus this sad news for the TeeEss Community.

Not everyone may know that Tom was a man of no mean intellectual accomplishment. Holding a Ph.D. in theoretical solid-state physics, he had continued to teach at major universities and consult with well-known high tech firms long after others had chosen safely to relax in emeritus status.

I had the pleasure of attending several MacWorld Expos in Tom's invigorating company, including the semi-legendary TeeEss Luncheon which attracted some of our number to the University Club of San Francisco, the warm memories of which never fail to bring a smile.

In 2002 I penned, with enthusiasm, the following lines in celebration of Tom's 68th birthday. I regret I do not recall who "composed" the splendid banner.            

The day of Hearts-and-Flowers is here, with rapture to grace us all,
Not only that, but some, y’know, were born within its thrall,
Who? Well, ask yourself, which TS Founder most resembles cupid?
The answer comes with startling ease, no need to show yer stoopid.

Now, until they see Ma-ma’s goatee, many do not sense this fact,
That she’s a he with Ph.D. – there’s more – in math is where he does his act,
Concepts both lofty and abstruse are the wares he scatters widely,
But now 'tis time to multiply ... (10⁹)... congrats to Tom, dashing and so lively.

So here’s a guy in our very midst with a handle, sooo intriguing,
“MamaMoose” he says he is. Quite right! But, from joy he’s not retreating
As daily grasps he all there is, in a manner bold and gleeful,
While sharing copious knowledge rare, with all you TS People.

“From whence did spring”, you query us, “this handle, soooo intriguing?”
Well, in the dark and ancient past, a Boy Scout troop he’s leading
Through forests dense, o’er mountains high, in weather damp and foggy
The Scouts, they chose this alias rare, with allusions, Oh! so boggy.

With Best Regards
from TechSurvivors’ Poet Lariat
RHPConsult

http://obits.oregonlive.com/obituaries/ore...p;pid=145197707

[kimmer]

Tom was a very special guy, and he will definitely be missed.
   

[pendragon]

“If there be any truer measure of a man than by what he does, it must be by what he gives.”
                                          ~Robert South

I had the pleasure of meeting Tom, and I am certain he gave of himself to all. And he did so most lovingly. He is missed and shall be fondly remembered.

Harv

[krissel]

OH, man, this is a shocker.

I was about to repost the banner I made a few years ago for Tom, Dick and Harv's birthdays but came across this thread first.

Tom may not have been all that active on the forum but he was very supportive of TS in the background.  His fiery response to our problems of a few years ago (via email) kind of surprised me at first but then I realized it was because he truly believed in right and wrong. It was not made public but he offered to pay for our moving to a new server and relocate TS if that was necessary. Fortunately that was not needed.
 
He will be greatly missed but will always be a part of TS's legacy and remain in our hearts forever.  

[gunug]

This is very sad; in links and emails he seemed like a very intelligent and kind man and I'll miss him around the place.

[chriskleeman]

We have indeed lost a great man. To all of you who had a part in the founding of TS, I send my condolences, as I know how close you all became at that time.

I too have been wondering about his status as I had not seen him post for quite a while.

I am very saddened, and he will be missed here greatly. And as Kris said, he will be in our thoughts and hearts forever.

Chris  

[Highmac]

Difficult to add to what has been said, but my recollection is of a man willing to help wherever he could, patiently and with humour but never patronising.

Thankyou MamaMoose.

[kcourt]

I am so sorry.  Although I did not know him, I recall many mentions of him in the posts.

Pancreatic cancer is a bummer - I have had three friends die of it, so it is good he did not have to suffer very long.

Kathy

[Frances144]

He will be missed.  xx

I hope they have Macs up there!

[RNKIII]

There'd have to be ONLY Macs in Heaven....  They don't allow rubbish or swearing!!!


Bob K.   Rnkiii

[kbeartx]

If there is True Justice in the Afterlife, there will be ONLY Macs where Tom is...

We'll ALL miss you, Mama Moose!

Kb

[pbeans]

From our lips to God's ear:

A fine man has joined your ranks.  Please cradle him in your loving embrace.

Mama:  You are missed.