the contributions continue to flow in.... thank you all for being so generous.

bob

A life well lived.

I'm betting he was buried in argyle socks.

A life well lived.

I'm betting he was buried in argyle socks.

they would have been his favorites

Andy's remains will be laid to rest tomorrow morning at the Story Chapel at the Mt Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, MA.

Like so many on this forum I have never met Andy but feel I do know him from his posts. He was always great fun and I shall miss him. My sincere condolences to Beth and her family.

I have been meaning to propose that the Asia board instigate an "Argyle Sock Day" as a tribute to him. I shall wear argyle socks once a year at this time in remembrance. A "Speedo Day" would be just too awful.

I haven't been on the forum for awhile now but something made me check out the Asia forum today and then I saw this thread. Like some of you, I only knew GPanda from his postings but could tell that he was a good person with a great heart.

I remember him commenting on one of my trip reports and thought, what a fun person. So it came as a shock to come back here and read this. Even if we never met, I still shed a tear today. My condolences to his family.

ttt for anyone who might not have seen this...

I do not get a chance to frequent the formus as much as I used to (and look for the friendly banter between gpanda and rhkkmk! We've been to a bunch of places over the past four years, but the inspiration and help to plan our first trip was received from this forum, when we traveled to Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. Of the many, Gpanda wsa one of those who enthusiastically replied to all my questions and even gave details on a lot of places in Bangkok. We missed meeting him when we both stayed at the ROS and he left only a few hours before I asked if we could say hello. How sad. I will be ever grateful to him for answering so many of my detailed questions.

RIP Gpanda.

Greetings from Beijing. When Gpanda passed away on June 7, we bought a bouquet of Thai orchids in his beloved Cambridge and set them up with some SEA artifacts as a sort of tribute to him. When it came time to travel again at the end of June, the orchids were still as fresh as the day we bought them so we divided the bouquet in two and gave half to a friend who was recovering from surgery and half to someone who just landed his first job of any consequence. Very consistent with the spirit of the man, no?

perfect

Thanks for topping this, Bob.

I've just returned or would have missed this thread entirely.

As much as Andy was witty, big and boisterous, Beth was quiet, pretty and demure. They were a perfect pair. I enjoyed meeting and chatting with them both.

My lasting memory of Andy will not be the brilliant, witty things he's said on Fodors, but of that last night I saw him when, at the end of life, he was reliving the beginning of life for him - his memories of himself as a young man.

Don't remember the "muscle trick" but do remember the cherry stem trick and the spoon trick.

RIP, Andy, there must be plenty of plum trees in heaven.

Beth, one day at a time. My thoughts are with you.

Bob and Karen: thanks for being such staunch and stable friends and for keeping us all updated.

I'm a long way from my next trip to Asia, but still check the board periodically. So very sad to hear the news. My condolences.

thanks again to the editors for allowing us to post this thread

Mrs Gpanda here.
Nearly three months after losing Andy, I leave this final message of thanks to all Fodorites for the pure joy you always gave Gpanda. He loved this fellowship of merry traveling folks who shared Asia lore, laughed at his jokes and ribbing, and filled his insomniac hours. Your loving concern for Andy during his illness buoyed him up, and comforted him. Karen and Bob, our travel buddies and dear friends, were our steadfast support.
I end this thread with the usual Fodorites' wish for your Happy Travels, and with this poem that captures GPanda's sweet narcissism so many loved:

Perfection Wasted

And another regrettable thing about death
is the ceasing of your own brand of magic,
which took a whole life to develop and market –
the quips, the witticisms, the slant
adjusted to a few, those loved ones nearest
the lip of the stage, their soft faces blanched
in the footlight glow, their laughter close to tears,
their tears confused with their diamond earrings,
their warm pooled breath in and out with your heartbeat,
their response and your performance twinned.
The jokes over the phone. The memories
packed in the rapid-access file. The whole act.
Who will do it again? That’s it: no one;
imitators and descendants aren’t the same.

–John Updike
May 7, 1990

Thank you, Beth. God bless you.

Beth, thanks for sharing this. He will, indeed, be missed, and is/was a one of a kind...irreplaceable... we will not forget him. May your life move on, with lots of fond memories of the panda!
Carol

Thank you Beth for sharing that. I think what Carol said captures what I, and so many of us feel for Andy, and for you. I do hope we will continue to keep in contact with you and see you in the future. Peace be with you.

Beth, thanks for sharing. I think about Andy often. Jeane and I look forward to seeing you (with Bob and Karen) in mid-September.

Good to see you here, Beth. We've thought about Andy (and you) often. Having just lost my sister in December I can only imagine what you're feeling right now...but know that Andy's presence will always be here--and you've got this great, big, dysfunctional family here for you whenever you need us. Please reach out if you need anything.