Marcus: A Life of Giving & Quantum-Gravity Enthusiasm

[francesca]

It is with great emotion that I announce the passing of our Marcus. Everybody knows here how much he gave to this community. He has been important for me, and for many young quantum-gravity enthusiasts. I learned the first things about loop quantum gravity thanks to him. He had an unique acute and sweet way to put everything. I loved it and I hope I will always bring it with me. And I loved and used this thread that he started. I hope we will keep it alive, in the spirit he made it.
Francesca

 

[Jimster41]

It is with great emotion that I announce the passing of our Marcus. Everybody knows here how much he gave to this community. He has been important for me, and for many young quantum-gravity enthusiasts. I learned the first things about loop quantum gravity thanks to him. He had an unique acute and sweet way to put everything. I loved it and I hope I will always bring it with me. And I loved and used this thread that he started. I hope we will keep it alive, in the spirit he made it.
Francesca

Very sorry to hear this. Really.
He was a very friendly and inspiring presence here.

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

I have moved this into its own thread from
https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/loop-and-allied-qg-bibliography.7245/

ugh this really pains me to find this out . @francesca was there an illness we didn't know about or was this unexpected? @marcus was a top flight member and friend for over 13 years on PF. We will find a way to honor and memorialize him!

 

[phinds]

I was always amazed and impressed by his patience and his willingness to give very detailed answers, many of which were very helpful to me and I'm very sure to many others as well.

He was a major force in PF and I will miss him, as will many others, I'm sure.

RIP

 

[dlgoff]

I'll always remember how he was on top of the Rosetta Probe data about it's bouncing.
https://www.physicsforums.com/threa...november-12th-2014.573669/page-5#post-4912517
RIP marcus.

 

[StevieTNZ]

This news truly shocks me. Although I didn't really engage in much discussion with him, he seemed well informed on a variety of physics topics and recent pre-print's and their popularity. He was also the person who guided me in the direction of a book that was in Italian, and soon to be published in English. That book will serve me a reminder of marcus. May he rest in peace.

 

[Evo]

I'm in shock. Marcus was one of the first people on this forum that befriended me along with arildno, We discussed the Heimskringla, Icelandic sagas, interpretations from Olde English. He opened a whole new world to me.

I'm without words, what happened?

 

[Nugatory]

This is a great loss, and more shocking because his online presence was so alive and vital. I'm trying to imagine scrolling through BtSM or Astro and not seeing that A. E. Neuman avatar...

 

[1oldman2]

I'm without words, what happened?

I couldn't have said it better, RIP. Even being relatively new to the site it was obvious Marcus was instrumental in so much going on here.

 

[andrewkirk]

Marcus was invariably helpful, cheerful and good-tempered. Always happy to share his compendious knowledge and amazingly patient with those that were suffering from misconceptions. One of my favourite posters.

 

[atyy]

I am sad to hear this. I always enjoyed talking to him here on PF and learned a lot from him.

 

[OmCheeto]

No...

 

[Drakkith]

No...

Seconded.

 

[berkeman]

marcus and his posts were a big reason that I stuck around at the PF. He will be missed very much. RIP brother and mentor.

 

[Bran]

My sincere condolences to those whose lives were touched by Marcus. Just from what I've read in this thread, it's clear he will be missed.

 

[Bystander]

marcus and his posts

 

[Evo]

He was one of a kind, a truly brilliant man so knowledgeable in so many areas, but he never made you feel dumb.

 

[OmCheeto]

He was one of a kind, a truly brilliant man so knowledgeable in so many areas, but he never made you feel dumb.

Even if I was...

 

[Evo]

Even if I was...

I feel we were all dumb in some aspect compared to Marcus, I was always amazed at the extent of his knowledge.

 

[Evo]

This makes me realize the quality of people PF has attracted and kept. I hope his passing was peaceful. May you rest in peace Marcus, and thank you for all you brought to me, you changed my life.

 

[tamwuff]

Hi everyone -- Marcus's son here. Thank you all for the love and warmth here in this thread.

To answer the question about "what happened", it was esophagus cancer -- we found out about it in September, but by that point it was advanced to a level where not much could be done. We tried anyway -- chemo, radiation, etc. But, well...

I know he cared a whole lot about all of you guys. When I would see him or talk to him on the phone, he would often update me on what was going on here on PF, and how he was starting a poll or posting a summary of various papers or whatever else he would do on a regular basis. I empathized with how he felt about PF, since my generation grew up with the internet and I thought it was wonderful to see him bonding as deeply with you guys as I've bonded with the online communities I'm part of.

You guys rock. Hugs to you all.

 

[13Nike]

Hi everyone -- Marcus's son here. Thank you all for the love and warmth here in this thread.

To answer the question about "what happened", it was esophagus cancer -- we found out about it in September, but by that point it was advanced to a level where not much could be done. We tried anyway -- chemo, radiation, etc. But, well...

I know he cared a whole lot about all of you guys. When I would see him or talk to him on the phone, he would often update me on what was going on here on PF, and how he was starting a poll or posting a summary of various papers or whatever else he would do on a regular basis. I empathized with how he felt about PF, since my generation grew up with the internet and I thought it was wonderful to see him bonding as deeply with you guys as I've bonded with the online communities I'm part of.

You guys rock. Hugs to you all.

That's sad to hear. Your father sounds like a good man. RIP Marcus

 

[Buzz Bloom]

I always found Marcus's posts very helpful. Even though I never got to know him personally, I feel as thought I have lost a friend.

 

[Stephanus]

Oh dear. I didn't know.
Good bye Marcus. You've helped me so much in this forum. May you find peace on you next journey.

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

I know he cared a whole lot about all of you guys. When I would see him or talk to him on the phone, he would often update me on what was going on here on PF, and how he was starting a poll or posting a summary of various papers or whatever else he would do on a regular basis.

Thank you very much for the update @tamwuff, my deepest condolences.

This makes me tear up. Dissolves the disconnect we suffer from being an internet community. Shows how much real life impact we really have on each other that we don't even know about.

 

[Stephanus]

Dear @tamwuff
My deepest condolence for you. Marcus had helped not just this forum, but many members here learning science and increase their knowledge and their curiosity.
And everytime many other and I learn science and read Marcus' post, Marcus' spirit will still alive. Now and ever.

 

[Evo]

Hi everyone -- Marcus's son here. Thank you all for the love and warmth here in this thread.

To answer the question about "what happened", it was esophagus cancer -- we found out about it in September, but by that point it was advanced to a level where not much could be done. We tried anyway -- chemo, radiation, etc. But, well...

I know he cared a whole lot about all of you guys. When I would see him or talk to him on the phone, he would often update me on what was going on here on PF, and how he was starting a poll or posting a summary of various papers or whatever else he would do on a regular basis. I empathized with how he felt about PF, since my generation grew up with the internet and I thought it was wonderful to see him bonding as deeply with you guys as I've bonded with the online communities I'm part of.

You guys rock. Hugs to you all.

My deepest sympathies for you and your family. Your father was an extraordinary man. You have a lot to be proud of.

 

[lisab]

I'm so sad hearing this . He was a legend here.

You guys rock. Hugs to you all.

My sympathies, tamwuff, and condolences to you and all Marcus's loved ones.

 

[Bandersnatch]

That neither of us is an island never rang truer than today. We've lost the perfect educator, as willing to share his knowledge as he was selfless.

 

[atyy]

Thank tamwuff for the update. My condolences to you and your family. I am very glad to have known marcus through PF.

BTW, marcus, if by any chance you are getting to ask God about whether LQG is right, do drop us a hint. Though of course not sure whether that answer would necessarily be right (going by the famous story with Pauli) http://math.bu.edu/people/jeffs/joke.html

 

[ShayanJ]

This is sad...This is shocking!
I've always imagined him as an enthusiastic kid who is amazed with all the cool toys he's playing with. When you read his scientific posts, you really could feel all the excitement and amazement he had about science. He was great! This is a big loss!

I don't know what else to say.

R.I.P. dear Marcus!

 

[PAllen]

I cannot imagine PF in general or BTSM in particular without Marcus. He and bcrowell were my first PF friends, big part of what kept me here. Nothing I can say would do justice to the loss

 

[houlahound]

Condolences.

 

[jedishrfu]

I am sad that I never got to interact with him since my understanding of relativity is so weak.

@tamwuff you lost a great friend and an even greater dad. My heart goes out to you. Take care.

 

[haushofer]

Sad to hear Marcus passed away. I think he was an example of friendliness and willingness to explain. @ Tamwuff: wish you all the strength you need for the time to come!

 

[Orodruin]

Very sad to hear about this. Although we did not cross paths in the forums many times, it was always clear that he was a role model and incredibly valuable to the forum in terms of both knowledge and spirit. My strongest condolences.

 

[Garth]

What a loss - a truly inquisitive mind - a great loss to PF and to me personally, tamwuff please pass on all our condolences to your family.

Garth

 

[Dale]

Hi everyone -- Marcus's son here. Thank you all for the love and warmth here in this thread

My condolences and sympathy. Thank you for letting us know. My heart goes out to you and your family.

 

[bapowell]

Patient, friendly, modest, and overflowing with knowledge. I'm very sad to hear this. We'll miss you Marcus.

 

[QuantumQuest]

My sincere condolences . I really learned a lot from Marcus posts and I think that a great lot of people here have learned from his very well informed and accurate answers and posts. May he rest in peace.

 

[MathematicalPhysicist]

Sad to hear, the BSM forum really seem to lose its major contributor. (with regards to posts).

 

[ZapperZ]

Hi everyone -- Marcus's son here. Thank you all for the love and warmth here in this thread.

To answer the question about "what happened", it was esophagus cancer -- we found out about it in September, but by that point it was advanced to a level where not much could be done. We tried anyway -- chemo, radiation, etc. But, well...

I know he cared a whole lot about all of you guys. When I would see him or talk to him on the phone, he would often update me on what was going on here on PF, and how he was starting a poll or posting a summary of various papers or whatever else he would do on a regular basis. I empathized with how he felt about PF, since my generation grew up with the internet and I thought it was wonderful to see him bonding as deeply with you guys as I've bonded with the online communities I'm part of.

You guys rock. Hugs to you all.

@tamwuff Our PF loss here is certainly not as profound as the loss that you and your family feel. So please accept my condolences.

Marcus certainly was the one who single-handedly ran the BTSM forum for as long as I can remember. There was no doubt that it was his baby.

Zz.

 

[jtbell]

I'm very sorry to hear this. Marcus has been a constant presence here, as far back as I can remember. Of course, it has been a longer presence for his family, who have the greater loss. My condolences to them.

 

[George Jones]

My condolences to you, tamwuff, and to the all of marcus' family. Marcus and I never met in person, but I certainly consider Marcus to be a friend. Marcus and I had many, many interesting discussions about cosmology that were very enlightening for me. He has an enduring invaluable legacy here at Physics Forums; I am sure that years from now, I will search Physics Forums for some particular topic in cosmology, and I will find the information that I seek in posts by marcus.

 

[cristo]

Hi everyone -- Marcus's son here. Thank you all for the love and warmth here in this thread.

To answer the question about "what happened", it was esophagus cancer -- we found out about it in September, but by that point it was advanced to a level where not much could be done. We tried anyway -- chemo, radiation, etc. But, well...

I know he cared a whole lot about all of you guys. When I would see him or talk to him on the phone, he would often update me on what was going on here on PF, and how he was starting a poll or posting a summary of various papers or whatever else he would do on a regular basis. I empathized with how he felt about PF, since my generation grew up with the internet and I thought it was wonderful to see him bonding as deeply with you guys as I've bonded with the online communities I'm part of.

You guys rock. Hugs to you all.

My condolences to you and your family, @tamwuff, I'm so sorry to hear this. Marcus had an enormous presence here at PF, and taught me a lot about cosmology when I was much younger and just starting out in my career. He had a vast knowledge of many different areas, and his keen interest in following the quantum gravity literature -- and understanding it -- was inspiring. Marcus will be sorely missed, and leaves a legacy here at PF.

 

[Isaac0427]

This is very upsetting. I really never got to know him that well on here, but he has posted on my threads and was exteremely helpful. I know he will be missed by all of us.

 

[Astronuc]

Hi everyone -- Marcus's son here. Thank you all for the love and warmth here in this thread.

tamwuff, thank you for the notification. We are greatly saddened by the passing of marcus. It is hard to comprehend at the moment. I had a number of pleasant exchanges with marcus, mostly on ancient history and culture, as well as a few on astrophysics and cosmology.

marcus certainly established a high standard at PF. Now he is among the stars with other giants of PF, selfAdjoint, whom he mentioned in the thread cited by Greg B, and arildno, with whom he shared an interest in old literature and history. Peace upon him and your family and friends whom have lost such a wonderful person. He is forever in our hearts and minds.

Another thread started by marcus with contributions by selfAdjoint.
https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/perche-i-nostri-discorsi-galileo-quoted-by-rovelli.6963/

 

[HossamCFD]

I'm very saddened by this news. marcus was one of a kind. He was a great educator with a brilliant writing style and immense knowledge, he explained complex ideas with a lot of patience, and he never made anyone feel bad for taking time to understand what's being said.

My sincere condolences.

 

[micromass]

I am very saddened by this loss. I can't imagine how the family must feel. My feelings regarding the loss of this exceptional man are probably less than 1% of what the family has to go through, and I am already devastated.

I am very glad that marcus found in this forum a safe haven. A place to discuss his interests with peers. We will surely miss him a lot.

I just wish he could have read all these messages before he passed away. I hope he knew how loved he was.

 

[Tobias Funke]

I'm sorry to hear this. I don't go much into the more academic forums anymore but I've seen enough of his posts to know that he was one of the best that PF has to offer, and that's saying something.