This is indeed a tragic event; etj will miss this man terribly. RD was one of those newbies who fall into their niche immediately... his honesty, forthrightness, and sense of humour endeared him to the members, new and old.

Richard, if you return to read this thread at all, thank you very, very much for taking the time to pass this news on. RD's last post was on June 17th, and when a well-loved member just dissappears like that we are always left wondering. In the somewhat detatched world of the internet friendships can form, and yet in situations like this it's hard to hear the news.

I feel a distinct sense of loss today. As many here know, Ras David and I hit it off due to a great number of things we had in common. Besides the obvious love of reggae music and all things Jamaican, we shared ethnicity, grew up in the same country (England), and were almost the same age (he was 3 years my senior). Many, many times I'd be reading through a thread and be just about to post a reply, when I'd see he alread posted exactly what I was about to say, almost word for word. I almost immediately took it for granted that we would link up on one of my visits back to the UK.

Dave I was serious about that pint. Next time I come home I'll have it without you.

Bless.