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OT: DivePac88 - 11/5/2015 11:04:12 PM

Chickenboy

Posts: 24520
Joined: 6/29/2002
From: San Antonio, TX
Status: offline

Another forumite created a thread about a member that hasn't been around in awhile. Got me thinking about DivePac88.

His real name was Des and he was a good man, with a good wit, an artistic bent and a kind word for others. He was one of my PBEM partners and I enjoyed chatting with him about the game and life in general.

His son was in the New Zealand Army and his father was very proud of his son's accomplishments, like every father should be. His wife was an artisan baker. Des teased us from afar with some pictures of her scrumptious pastries and cakes.

Des created my avatar and my signature picture back in the day, for the asking.

I called him my friend and I miss him.

Des died about two years ago. I was privileged to know him and glad that he shared his uniqueness with us all.

Cheers to you, Des. We miss ya', you saucy Kiwi!

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RE: OT: DivePac88 - 11/5/2015 11:09:07 PM

Big B

Posts: 4870
Joined: 6/1/2005
From: Old Los Angeles pre-1960
Status: offline

Passed away 2 years ago... sad how that goes - the "few" ever get 'fewer'

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Post #: 2

RE: OT: DivePac88 - 11/5/2015 11:21:14 PM

nashvillen

Posts: 3836
Joined: 7/3/2006
From: Christiana, TN
Status: offline

To Des.

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Post #: 3

RE: OT: DivePac88 - 11/6/2015 12:13:26 AM

CaptBeefheart

Posts: 2301
Joined: 7/4/2003
From: Seoul, Korea
Status: offline

May he rest in peace. He was a great contributor to this forum.

Cheers,
CC

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Post #: 4

RE: OT: DivePac88 - 11/6/2015 12:46:57 AM

PaxMondo

Posts: 9750
Joined: 6/6/2008
Status: offline

Desmond Wallace ...

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by PaxMondo -- 11/6/2015 1:47:33 AM >

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Pax

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Post #: 5

RE: OT: DivePac88 - 11/6/2015 5:07:27 AM

JeffroK

Posts: 6391
Joined: 1/26/2005
Status: offline

In the background is the town of Wanaka & Lake Wanaka, a beautiful place.

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Post #: 6

RE: OT: DivePac88 - 11/6/2015 6:20:45 AM

Shark7

Posts: 7937
Joined: 7/24/2007
From: The Big Nowhere
Status: offline

In memory of Des, a good man.

As with Chickenboy, Des was kind enough to design my forum avatar as well. He gave a lot to this community and is missed.

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Post #: 7

RE: OT: DivePac88 - 11/6/2015 9:43:01 AM

JocMeister

Posts: 8262
Joined: 7/29/2009
From: Sweden
Status: offline

Always polite and friendly. A very likable person. A good man indeed.

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Post #: 8

RE: OT: DivePac88 - 11/6/2015 10:45:55 AM

Apollo11

Posts: 24082
Joined: 6/7/2001
From: Zagreb, Croatia
Status: offline

Hi all,

quote:

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

Another forumite created a thread about a member that hasn't been around in awhile. Got me thinking about DivePac88.

His real name was Des and he was a good man, with a good wit, an artistic bent and a kind word for others. He was one of my PBEM partners and I enjoyed chatting with him about the game and life in general.

His son was in the New Zealand Army and his father was very proud of his son's accomplishments, like every father should be. His wife was an artisan baker. Des teased us from afar with some pictures of her scrumptious pastries and cakes.

Des created my avatar and my signature picture back in the day, for the asking.

I called him my friend and I miss him.

Des died about two years ago. I was privileged to know him and glad that he shared his uniqueness with us all.

Cheers to you, Des. We miss ya', you saucy Kiwi!

I often remember Des... RIP

Leo "Apollo11"

P.S.
I also remember when we thought that he first died but he wasn't... I was so glad that it wasn't true... but the damn illness finally took him...

_____________________________

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P: UV, WitP, WitP-AE

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Post #: 9

RE: OT: DivePac88 - 11/6/2015 10:59:27 AM

PaxMondo

Posts: 9750
Joined: 6/6/2008
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Apollo11

P.S.
I also remember when we thought that he first died but he wasn't... I was so glad that it wasn't true... but the damn illness finally took him...

Knowing what he was fighting and knowing that the ultimate outcome was not far away, I remember thinking how fitting it was for him to have been able to read what we all thought of him. Doesn't happen that often, and most of us wouldn't be able to handle the honest assessment of our peers. In Des' case though, he got to see his goodness reflected in our thoughts of him. A well deserved blessing if ever there was one for a man who fought the 'good fight' for a long time.

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Pax

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Post #: 10

RE: OT: DivePac88 - 11/6/2015 1:38:36 PM

SuluSea

Posts: 2358
Joined: 11/17/2006
Status: offline

The world would be a better place with more Dive Pacs in it. Although I didn't know him personally I miss him.

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Post #: 11

RE: OT: DivePac88 - 11/6/2015 5:44:06 PM

warspite1

Posts: 41353
Joined: 2/2/2008
From: England
Status: offline

Des was one of the Good Guys. Top bloke.

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Post #: 12

RE: OT: DivePac88 - 11/6/2015 6:30:31 PM

Canoerebel

Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline

I didn't know DivePac well, but it was obvious that he was a gentleman.

There was a fun thread about four years ago that "sucked in" many people, including DivePac, Nemo121, Chickenboy, and others who were then regulars. It's startling to see just how many have disappeared from the community (Bradfordkay, Chez Da Jez, Vettim, and a host of others.)

http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=2932617&mpage=1&key=

A salute to all who have departed, especially those who have passed away.

< Message edited by Canoerebel -- 11/6/2015 7:31:25 PM >

(in reply to warspite1)

Post #: 13

RE: OT: DivePac88 - 11/6/2015 7:41:25 PM

Chickenboy

Posts: 24520
Joined: 6/29/2002
From: San Antonio, TX
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

Desmond Wallace ...

Great picture, Pax. I vaguely remember him posting this some years ago. Thanks for finding it and reposting.

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Post #: 14

RE: OT: DivePac88 - 11/6/2015 9:30:00 PM

obvert

Posts: 14050
Joined: 1/17/2011
From: PDX (and now) London, UK
Status: offline

Just logged on and saw this. One of the best who also gave a lot to new players on the forum when we arrived way back when.

I'll always remember the vicious emus on his avatars!

Attachment (1)

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Post #: 15

RE: OT: DivePac88 - 11/6/2015 10:04:50 PM

zuluhour

Posts: 5244
Joined: 1/20/2011
From: Maryland
Status: offline

yourself

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Post #: 16

RE: OT: DivePac88 - 11/7/2015 2:42:41 AM

PaxMondo

Posts: 9750
Joined: 6/6/2008
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

Great picture, Pax. I vaguely remember him posting this some years ago. Thanks for finding it and reposting.

Des posted this about 2 months before he passed ... after the first rumor to firmly dispel the premature news. It was a great shot, a milestone shot for him as it was the furthest he had walked unassisted in some time. He was rallying at the time ... very active in the forums for several weeks. He composed his BDay ditty for Termy shortly after this ... a classic.

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Pax

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Post #: 17

RE: OT: DivePac88 - 11/7/2015 3:38:47 PM

Chickenboy

Posts: 24520
Joined: 6/29/2002
From: San Antonio, TX
Status: offline

Do you have a copy of the B-day ditty? That would be great...

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Post #: 18

RE: OT: DivePac88 - 11/7/2015 5:29:40 PM

PaxMondo

Posts: 9750
Joined: 6/6/2008
Status: offline

tried to get a link, but browser issues:

I'm a little teapot
short and stout
When I get all steamed up
hear me shout
Happy Birthday to You
Happy Birthday to You
Happy Birthday Dear T
Happy Birthday to You
and Eat your birthday cake.

BTW, it was Des' final post in the forums ...

You have to know Termy to appreciate. A final salute from a classy guy to a dev who, like the rest of them, gave a lot for this game.

< Message edited by PaxMondo -- 11/7/2015 6:55:32 PM >

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Pax

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Post #: 19

RE: OT: DivePac88 - 11/7/2015 5:58:05 PM

PaxMondo

Posts: 9750
Joined: 6/6/2008
Status: offline

Des did one for Mike shortly before this one for T ... and of course we also lost Mike not long after that as well ...

Absent friends ...

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Pax

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Post #: 20

RE: OT: DivePac88 - 11/7/2015 6:50:45 PM

sandman455

Posts: 209
Joined: 7/5/2011
From: 20 yrs ago - SDO -> med down, w/BC glasses on
Status: offline

He contributed a lot to the forum. Like all members that I find out they have passed - they get immortalized within my mod as an available leader:

Wallace, Des
Rank BGEN-Allied Army
Nation New Zealand
Type Small Ground Unit
Delay 411206
Skill 80
Inspiration 99
Naval 50
Air 60
Land 90
Admin 99
Aggression 70
Political 10

BTW - post #9 of this thread has a nice picture of him and his widow.
http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=2330424&mpage=1

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AOCS 1985, VT10 1985-86, VT86 1986, VS41 1986-87
VS32 1987-90 (NSO/NWTO, deployed w/CV-66, CVN-71)
VS27 1990-91 (NATOPS/Safety)
SFWSLANT 1991-93 (AGM-84 All platforms, S-3 A/B systems)

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Post #: 21

RE: OT: DivePac88 - 11/8/2015 1:07:02 AM

rustysi

Posts: 7472
Joined: 2/21/2012
From: LI, NY
Status: offline

I remember when I first started getting serious about the game, I started reading the general posts from the last thread forward. I'd see his posts and as I got closer to the beginning I realized he was probable already gone. Even though I never knew him it was something of a shock just the same.

One thing about the forum is that I always wonder about those I've seen here often, and then they're gone...

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In every party there is one member who by his all-too-devout pronouncement of the party principles provokes the others to apostasy. Nietzsche

Cave ab homine unius libri. Ltn Prvb

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Post #: 22

RE: OT: DivePac88 - 11/9/2015 2:42:26 AM

John 3rd

Posts: 17178
Joined: 9/8/2005
From: La Salle, Colorado
Status: offline

As opposed to me Posting over in the Nemo Thread, I have nothing but fond memories of this gentleman. Remember that I was having issues with some facet of the game and out of the blue he wrote a kind, thoughtful commentary with suggestions and encouragement. He was wonderful and won my admiration that day.

CHEERS to a classy fella!

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Post #: 23

RE: OT: DivePac88 - 11/9/2015 4:22:17 AM

Jim D Burns

Posts: 4013
Joined: 2/25/2002
From: Salida, CA.
Status: offline

I think I may have been one of the last to cross swords with Des in battle playing him PBEM in WitE. Sadly I didn�t realize how sick he was when we played until near the very end of our match when health issues forced him to resign. I�m not sure how much longer he was with us after they flew him out to the city hospital (never heard from him again) but he told me in his last email he wasn�t sure if he�d survive the emergency operations he needed.

Here�s my AAR of the game:

http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=3185157

Here�s Des� AAR, he was a fighter until the end:

http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=3185452

To see these you will need to use the pull down menu on the forum to display more than 365 days.

I just wish I had known at the time how ill he was, but like a true gentlemen he kept it private until he was forced to reveal his illness and quit the match.

Jim

< Message edited by Jim D Burns -- 11/9/2015 5:23:37 AM >

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RE: OT: DivePac88 - 11/9/2015 7:07:59 PM

Chickenboy

Posts: 24520
Joined: 6/29/2002
From: San Antonio, TX
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Jim D Burns

I think I may have been one of the last to cross swords with Des in battle playing him PBEM in WitE. Sadly I didn�t realize how sick he was when we played until near the very end of our match when health issues forced him to resign. I�m not sure how much longer he was with us after they flew him out to the city hospital (never heard from him again) but he told me in his last email he wasn�t sure if he�d survive the emergency operations he needed.

Here�s my AAR of the game:

http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=3185157

Here�s Des� AAR, he was a fighter until the end:

http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=3185452

To see these you will need to use the pull down menu on the forum to display more than 365 days.

I just wish I had known at the time how ill he was, but like a true gentlemen he kept it private until he was forced to reveal his illness and quit the match.

Jim

Jim,

I had the pleasure of having him as an opponent in a PBEM in WiTP:AE as well. He had to break off (and then later pick up) the game several times, as his health waxed and waned over the months we played. I believe that I was his final PBEM partner in WiTP:AE. I consider it an honor of mine.

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Post #: 25

RE: OT: DivePac88 - 11/10/2015 12:15:04 AM

zuluhour

Posts: 5244
Joined: 1/20/2011
From: Maryland
Status: offline

Only saw the last year or so of his posts, I better clean up my act.

I don't believe in God in any traditional western sense, but I feel
something in the "force", something strange, perhaps something
very old. I follow the physics people as much as I can absorb and can't
help but think there is something going on. I conjecture Des maybe
just traveling to another stop.

(in reply to Chickenboy)

Post #: 26

RE: OT: DivePac88 - 11/11/2015 12:54:03 AM

stuman