I never met Gpanda and have not been a part of this forum for the last couple of years (largely due to elder care and financial issues related to it travel has not been possible) but I was VERY sad to hear of Andy's death and not at all surprised that he faced it with wit and grace. Aside from a passion for Thailand, what Andy and I shared, both on the forum and via emails, was a passion for social justice and liberal politics. We had long email exchanges about my work in legal aid, the 60s, the Bush administration,Obama and Hillary as they fought for the deomocratic nomination, the war in Iraq -- well you can figure out the rest. :-) He was clearly brilliant (since he agreed with me :-) but most of all what I respected was his ability to see all sides of an issue and to fully respect people who shared his goals but saw a different way to get there. From every communication I ever saw he seemed a really good human being.

I heard that the Old North Church will be ringing those bells this weekend to ensure an angel gets his wings. (alas he has already earned his wings but it is a kind gesture)

Our paths crossed just once. Well he was across the room when I crashed his/your gtg for a few short minutes to deliver apples and dart out incognito avoiding the fodor's papparazzi flashbulbs. And still he took notice and welcomed me back on a gtg thread.

There are people whose path you cross and you immediately recognize that theirs is a truly rare inner light.

One day I will take a stroll thru MtVernon and take in it's beauty knowing that somewhere amongst the beautiful paths and grand trees is a whisper of a man that brought joy and laughter to those in his presence.

For all of you who have lost a dear friend, I offer my sincerest condolences. From all I have read from his prose to yours, he was truly a magical person, and all who knew him were blessed. Beth and his immediate circle, may you find some peace during these most quiet coming days.

I was the fortunate recipient of Andy's wisdom, humor and kindness when my husband Bill and I were planning a trip to Thailand a few years ago. He went out of his way to assist in every step of our trip, and greeted each and every one of my inane questions with grace and good humor. It was Andy who got me hooked up with Tong, and I was forever grateful for that association.

I was sincerely saddened by the news of Andy's untimely passing. I have not been on here much of late, and I was brought to tears at the news. He will be missed.

My thoughts, prayers and thanks go out to his family- thank you for sharing Andy with us!

I am so sorry . . . I always enjoyed his posts and his sense of humor. Please offer my condolences to his wife. He will be missed here and by all who knew him.

Sandy (in Denton)

Our condolences to Beth and her family on their loss. We will certainly miss all the bantering between Andy and Bob that we have come to enjoy over the years.

Bill and Olive

I'm so sorry for Andy's family - and for all of us, as well, because this is such a loss. I, too, will miss the banter between Andy and Bob.
RIP, Andy.

Karen

I'm so sorry to see this great loss to Andy's family and all of us here. Count me as another who has greatly enjoyed his posts and humor. Peace to all.

Andy was a gregarious, funny, heck of a fellow. You can't think of him and not smile. We will miss him. His passing is so very sad, and unfair. I like to think we will talk again some day, share trip stories, laugh and tell tall tales. He was a friend and we will miss him.

I don't know about the rest of you, but I am eagerly awaiting Andy's trip report with all the details... How to get to heaven, what's the best way to get there (fastest vs cheapest), and how to obtain guaranteed reservations with a possible upgrade.

Of course the most important advice will concern what to do if your reservations are lost. I'm sure he'd say to "just pull a Kimball with the manager" if you see a lot of red faces and pitchforks when you arrive.

I was so saddened to read this - my condolences to Beth and his family and of course Bob and Karen.

I am so glad someone mentioned Andy's trip report! I have been eagerly awaiting it myself. I am not sure I will ever write a trip report here again without thinking of Panda and the sword of his dreaded penalty (not to mention mandatory induction into the Fodor's Hall of Shame) hanging over my head. All the best to Beth and his family.

The penalty for tardy reports is now haunting by a fully powered Gpanda. I wouldn't chance it, eks.

Wishing peace for his family.

Still love the AskOksana, AskOksena, AskOksuna, AskOksona bit the best. I burst out laughing while reading it late one night. Thanks for your humor, gPanda. I've enjoyed getting to "know" you a bit.

Condolences to Beth and everyone who loved Andy. Even though I never met him, he has found a place in my heart.

I only met Andy once ( 2008? GTG), but have enjoyed his humor on the forums. I was intrigued by the banter between Bob and Andy, and went to the Boston GTG; Andy was the first person I met when I walked in. My deepest sympathy to Beth and all of his loved ones.

Wonderful warmth and humour and the author of some all-time cherished threads; "Singapore Air-God News" being a cherished favourite.

I'll be swinging by his beloved Royal Orchid Sheraton this weekend; he'll be there in spirit.

Thank you for the thread and updates, Bob. Condolences to Beth, family and friends.

robert

Going to Koh Samui and then Bangkok next week. When I visit a temple I will make an offering in memory of Gpanda.

I am well overdue a post of recollections of my recent and far too soon late friend.

The first (and only) time I actually met Andy was when organizing the last LA GTG. He and Bob really helped me out in more ways than you all can imagine preparing for the big weekend. Relaying their own experiences in planning the Boston GTGs, answering every question I had and really let me nag them to tears about all the specifics. You name it, they were there.

Now don't get me wrong: Andy certainly made his opinions on how I should run the gathering well-known via email beforehand...and during :) I'll always remember him standing over my shoulder as I was counting the money at the Friday out-of-towners dinner at Yamashiro to pay our bill...shouting out different numbers as I counted and got up to 300, 450, 567...just to throw me off. Then he'd say, "It's a bitch counting all that money, isn't it?" and smile that sarcastic smile.

But even over just a weekend of spending time with someone, it was amazing how much both David and I were immediately made to feel a part of the family. I'll never forget that. Andy just made you feel like you could come over tomorrow and stay with him and Beth if you happened to be passing through Boston. I wish in retrospect we had.

Of course we all know he was also a royal pain-in-the-ass. :) This is what I'll always remember best about Andy. How he made us all laugh so hard. His muscle tricks, the cherry stem tongue-tying schtick, how whenever we went to a foreign country somehow our guides would always ask "You know Bob & Andy??"..and mostly how he lovingly tortured my husband on an almost daily basis over his allegiance to North Carolina basketball.

Through the gruff, you always knew it came from a heart of gold--and the back and forth barbs were all part of what made a friendship with Andy so rewarding.

I still laugh sitting here typing, thinking of him...his boisterousness, his warmth and his neverending love of seeing and discovering the world--the same reason all of us struck with wanderlust are here. It's nothing short of poetic to think that Andy now has the ability to go wherever he wants...no limitations, no bounds, no illness. And I know that's exactly what he's doing...although realistically he'll probably hang out in Thailand for a long time. :)

Safe travels, my good Panda friend. We will never forget you.

All our warmest and deepest thoughts to Andy's family...

GPanda has long been a favorite of mine on the Asia Forum.

Sincere condolences Beth and Family

Our heartfelt condolences to Beth and to all of Andy's friends and family who love him.

He will be surely missed in Cambridge (MA) as well as around the world on this forum.

May you rest in peace, Andy,

Terry and Joseph