All, please.

[Lanthir Lamath]

There is no easy way to share this with you. No way that will ever be easier, nor limit our collective grief.


You are all aware of the fact that David M. Gransby, known to all ashalfir,has been very ill for some time.A few days ago, we received word that he has in fact passed away as a result of his illness.

We held off telling you for a little while, firstly so as to ensure that his next of kin did NOT find out about his passing from a website, and second...well, second, because... admittedly... we kept hoping it was a bad dream, and that he himself would turn up and tell us so.
At present this does not seem to be the case; halfir is well and truly lost to us and to the living in general.
There are no words to express the terrible heartache, the outrageous sheer pain, that his passing causes us all.Speaking for myself, I never in my wildest dreams imagined writing a thread like this one, never imagined that there would come a day when halfir would not be here.
Of all the members of the plaza, halfir was the one who commanded the greatest admiration, the most earnest appreciation, the most transparent liking. His rank was always totally immaterial to it, because he was one of the few people who, from the outset, so visibly transcended any kind of distinction the plaza had to offer. He represented something totally timeless: this aspect of our membership that is firmly rooted in Tolkien lore, who need no advocacy or convincing to keep coming back and returning to discuss said lore, and who because of this, are the eternal fan base that will always form the core of the plaza. But in addition to what he represented...he was halfir.Enough said?His passing leaves a gaping hole at the heart of the plaza, and in many of our hearts. Although often known for having a firebrand temper, as well as a vastly entertaining sense of humor, halfir in private was also gentle and kind-hearted, and one of the most earnestly sympathetic people on plaza.
I still can't find words to express how much we will all miss him, every aspect of him; if we can take consolation in something, it's in being able to go back and read his posts and opinions. Does it make it better? Well a tiny little bit, I guess, but it becomes all the more poignant; what we mourn is not the past, but the future; the hope to read new posts from him and new thoughts, to share new experiences... this we will never again be able to do.
But what would he say to us if he could? Probably something about how rumors of his passing are a blight on the halfirian light. Or perhaps he would, as ever, quote Tolkien:

In western lands beneath the Sun
the flowers may rise in Spring,
the trees may bud, the waters run,
the merry finches sing.
Or there maybe 'tis cloudless night
and swaying beeches bear
the Elven-stars as jewels white
amid their branching hair.

Though here at journey's end I lie
in darkness buried deep,
beyond all towers strong and high,
beyond all mountains steep,
above all shadows rides the Sun
and Stars for ever dwell:
I will not say the Day is done,
nor bid the Stars farewell.

(Sam's Song in the Orc Tower, TT)

If there is further comfort to be found somewhere... I do not know where. We will miss him for ever.


A few practical things:The Lotrplaza.com administration has been informed that the authorities havenotbeen able to locate his family, even though his funeral will be held on Sunday; as a result, we feel it is eminently appropriate if we, his virtual family, to whom he dedicated so much of his time, stand in their stead and perhaps even try to help in finding them.
To these ends,we, in our capacity as lotrplaza administration,are now opening a donation line via our paypal account, in case any might wish to contribute to the purchase of flowers for this amazing man who gave us so much of himself. Just transfer what amount you wish to our SM account,businessmanager@lotrplaza.com- adding "HALFIR" in the comment line.Naturally contributing is not an obligation- and you would receive a full refund minus paypal costs should we for some reason be unsuccessful; this is just a nice thing to do, and in truth, just a very small token of our love and affection for an amazing man whose passing leaves a gaping wound in our hearts.
Additionally, we have decided that the rank of Irmo and the icon of halfir (minus the word "administrator") will be left upon his account- as a permanent tribute to a man whose contributions will never really be outdone or outshone.Further tributes will be made known in due time, as appropriate.
In the meantime, please use this thread as a "funeral book", to pay your respects; responses here will be compiled into a tribute page, and shared with his family and friends when time is ripe.
PS: The family of David Gransby has now been contacted and is aware of his passing. They may pop in or not- this has been a tremendous shock and wound to them. Please accept all our sympathies, and we hope the many tributes here ease your hearts a little.






Edited by: Lanthir Lamath

[Merl Moriestiel]

There are of course no words to describe this loss, for his friends and family and for the plaza. halfir was a shining beacon, the halfirian light, part of the dream, our dream, of this community. His wisdom, humour, kindness and heart will be sorely missed.

I wish everyone who mourns him much strength in these troubled times.

Dear David, we will miss you. I hope the Blessed Isles are everything you ever wished them to be.

I will not say: do not weep; for not all tears are an evil ~ Gandalf

[Lady Aikári]

Lanthy: This is really sad news indeed. I don't know what to say. He was well into his seventies. Still I loved and admired him for his steadfast to be always there for us. I can't believe he shall never with us anymore. This touches me.

For Halfir, I shall really miss you and keep for forever in thought. You were one of most amazing spirits that I have known. I shall always admire you, even now after your passing, for what you did and stood in this world. A candle burnt bright and still shines bright. Your light shall never die.

A memorial card for him. Two days I needed to think about it and this is the result. I hope it honours proper his memory.



Edited by: Lady Aikári

[Dorwiniondil]

I have great difficult imagining the Plaza without halfir.His wit and sheer knowledge of matters Tolkienian and otherwise awed me. Shortly after I finally joined up, I found myself in a sort of literary tennis-match with him as we batted quotations back and forth .... More recently of course he started the "Scholars' Forum", attracting some big names from the world of Tolkien scholarship to share their lore with us.

I'll probably come back here later. Meanwhile, in view of all he did for the Plaza and Tolkien studies in general, let's say:
Andáve laituvalmes!

[Moriel]

...I am not one of those who knew him closely, but the every interaction I did have with halfir was marked by his grace, respect, and wisdom. Whether we knew him well or not, we were all touched by the halfirian light- and now I suppose we must try and carry on the dream in his name, marred as it will be for a time by grief.

Clear sailing and safe travels, sir: the West awaits one of its most honored masters.

[Princess Gia]

Oh. My. God. Wow, this doesn't even seem possible. He was always so nice and polite. It seems hard to imagine the plaza without him.



halfir, you shall be sorely missed

[Asha Greyjoy]

I... I am heartbroken.



For the better part of ten years he was always there to offer helpful advice in both Tolkien matters and academia at large; while I can't say we were ever that close, he made an indelible impression on me, with, as Moriel so eloquently put it, his grace, respect, and wisdom.
I will solace myself with the thought of him disembarking from the ship once he's reached the West, with the Professor himself there to greet him.
You're already missed, David.

[wiebkes]

He'll be missed deeply.


I just have no words to express what this loss means...

[Fane Mordagnir]

I am deeply saddened by this news, despite not having spent much time posting in the Lore Forums I often enjoyed reading Halfir's posts bringing insight, wisdom and politeness to the entire site! His knowledge of Tolkien's many works and relativeinfallibilitywas what made the man great along with his good grace. He is a person who will long be missed! I wish I could say something more fitting the man he was but this comes as a shock to me as well as everyone else I suppose! Rest Well!

[Touor Eladar]

Even though I do not often post at the plaza for some time now the presence of Halfir was always something nice to see as it was nice to see people like him keeping the dream of Middle Earth alive and make it flourish. His imagination along with his other virtues that so many talk about were a beacon at the Plaza family and always showing the right way.



Halfir you shall be missed but I hope the journey to the West, as someone wrote before me, awaits you...

[Anna Calenear]

Well fiddlesticks. There's not much else I can say, and others can I say it moreeloquentlythan I. A great light has gone out, but hopefully the flames it kindled will carry on and light their own, spreading the love of Tolkien that halfir had.

[Arothir]

When I saw this I was stunned. halfir was a legend when I arrived here in 2003, and his star only rose from that point on. He was that gentle lore master that was always willing to teach and help with all scholarly debate on Tolkien's work.

His legacy will be in the activity of the lore forums, and those individuals who have come to better understand Tolkien's work through halfir's tutelage.

[Fairy Nuff]

This news really choked me up, this is a truly great loss - for the Plaza, for Lord of the Rings scholarship and the world in general.



I feel like he deserves me to write more, to mark my respect, to show my appreciation for his work...I just can't find the words to say...

[Dimitra Fimi]

I was very sorry to hear these sad news. David will always be remembered by Tolkien fans and scholars alike. His initiative to start the Scholars Forum has allowed both younger and more established Tolkien scholars to share their research and expertise with the wider Tolkien community.
Dr Dimitra FimiCardiff Metropolitan UniversityWales, UK

[Galastel]

It is hard to imagine the plaza without halfir. He was the life of the lore forums for as long as I remember. I have come to regard him as one of the atlantes who carried the plaza on their shoulders. Always reliable, always there. Knowledgeable beyond compare, at times funny, always kind. Just a few days ago, introducing my little brother to the plaza, I said to him "Notice everything halfir says. There is an ocean of things you can learn from him".
I fail to finds the words, and well, it is hard to comprehend that he is no more, that never again will I see a post by him, never will a lore conundrum be solved by him. Things he said he'd comment upon in the future will forever remain unanswered.
I write of his immense knowledge and dedication, but I did not admire him as an encyclopaedia - I admired him as a man. I will miss him.

[Túrin]

This is sobering news. I didn't know halfir aswell as some others certainly did, but I think I knew him well enough that we could address each other as 'friend', something which I consider an honor. I had great respect for the man. He held a wealth of knowledge, of which he shared freely, and conducted himself with a rare grace and dignity. The world has lost a good man in halfir.



halfir my friend, it is a sad day for us who have lost you. I wish you well, wherever your road takes you now.

Edited by: Túrin

[Laielinwen]

halfir was my first and dearest friend on the plaza beginning back in March 2002. It was my joy to dig into Tolkien's works and discuss among many of the first discussions that came from the many questions we all had for each other. We grew to love and respect each other... keeping in contact via email as well as our writings in lore together. He was an inspiration with definite views and yet he was truly a gentleman of honor. He and I came to many agreements over the years and a few infamous disagreements that we continually teased each other over... "the free will of dragons" being the one most bandied about.
I loved him. I love him. I will always love him. Finding this news has left me sobbing and shaking my head in denial... again and again. No one will ever replace him. The void this leaves in my heart for one of my dearest friends now gone, is one that will be felt on varying levels across the plaza. I believe most were enriched in their foundation of Tolkien lore to at least some degree by him. Those that had not had that opportunity will still be able to immerse themselves into what he has left us within his many posts.
I'm so thankful we have such a rich legacy of material that he wrote. Ten years worth!
I've oft accused him over these years of owning his own bright blue jacket and boots of yellow. He had a true passion for Tom Bombadil and because of that passion and years of detailed research, writing and discussion has left us with a wealth of information that I genuinely believe is unmatched on the internet.
I'm just overwhelmed with grief. I'm glad he knew how much I loved and admired him. I'm glad I have the emails we exchanged over the years, and honored that he was a dear friend even beyond the plaza. There really are just no words to adequately express the depth of this loss for myself and all of us...
R.I.P. my dear halfir

[geordie]

I have no words right now to express my sorrow; so if you'll all forgive me, I'll borrow some of Tolkien's, from a poem he wrote for W.H. Auden. I know halfir wouldn't mind - I adapted this poem some five years ago for a post in the 'Order of hafir' thread, and he took it in good heart. I hope the spirit of JRR will take it kindly, too.

For halfir

'Among the people of earth one has lore in him,
fashions threads with art; one is fluent in words,
has persuasive elegance sound and lucid;
one is a reader of books and richly stores
his mind with memory of much wisdom
and legends of old that long ago
were learned and related by loremasters;
one is a mate to choose, a man to trust,
who friendship's call faithfully answers...
... halfir some call him,
and so among the Plaza may he be remembered ever,
where as they sit by themselves for solace of heart
the word-lovers, wise and skilful,
revive the vanished voices of makers.

These lines about you I linked together,
though weighted by years, David my friend:
a tardy tribute and token of thanks.'

[Veowyn Girarion Alarion]

I have sat here for a few minutes thinking about what to say. I just can't find the right combination of words to describe the true sorrow I feel about halfir. I dare not call him David, for I knew him only as halfir, and that is how I will remember him.

As our hearts cry out for you
we hope you're at peace too,
every moment you were here
will be a moment we hold dear
though you will always be missed
we'll see you through the mist



halfir send our love to those plaza members who have gone before, and help Tolkien write us into his story.

[Uruva]

My stomach absolutely dropped when I saw this link, even though his lack of presence had filled me with some foreboding for a while, being vaguely aware that he had been ill. He was a legend and a force. Even when I disagreed with him I could not help but acknowledge his absolute dedication to the Plaza. His devotion to pure scholarship was admirable and I have the utmost respect for his knowledge of all things Tolkien related. He also could have a really great sense of humor. It goes without saying that he'll be missed.

[Alkthoniel]

I had to come and pay my respects, despite the fact I'm not really here any more. halfir had such massive impact on the Plaza during my time here.

I just can't believe it. This doesn't seem real... halfir has always been such a Plaza fixture, I can't imagine this place without him. His contributions to the Plaza and Tolkien scholarship at large are immeasurable. We are all poorer for his passing.

But together with his depth of wisdom and knowledge halfir was always quick to laugh. He was never above having a joke about. The other day I was clearing out my old Plaza email address when I came across an email he sent me. It contained a silly rap about the Plaza!

So while we mourn his passing we also have to celebrate his life. Thank you halfir for sharing so much of it with us. You will never be forgotten!

[Naith Liathant]

I've always had such vast respect for halfir. This is a tragic loss. If one person has truly impacted this site in a way that no other could, then it would be halfir. He was a cornucopia of knowledge on Tolkien before I knew the word cornucopia. I will miss him. He was instrumental in my decision to return in mid to late 2009. I'm really gutted. There's not a lot else to say. Save perhaps that Tolkien will now have someone to talk to who knows his works better than he does. Now that would be a fireside chat in Heaven I'd want to listen to! May his spirit thrive on these forums and remain a testament to the man, the gentleman, the scholar. Rest in Peace, David Gransby.

[Karis Ziranphel]

halfir will be greatly missed.
I was saddened to read news of his passing, and even more so to see that his family is not to be found. I hope they will be found quickly. Meanwhile, I pay tribute to his legacy among us, his plaza family. He was ever a gentleman, and served this community with wisdom and steadfastness. His contributions were immeasurable, and his touch on the lives of many will be felt for years to come. Although I didn't always agree with halfir, I have always had the deepest respect and admiration for him.
At his passing I salute him, from soldier to scholar - he served with honor and dignity. Farewell halfir.

[LúthienTinúviel]

I was so shocked seeing this. It is unbelievable to me. As far as I remember being on the Plaza, he is the only one up till now who was an admin when I joined, and continued to be all my Plaza days until now.


He was a vessel of knowledge and light, one I am certain Tolkien would be honoured toacknowledge a purist. Though I have not in a long while posted in Lore, I always recall his corrections, just gentle and perfectly worded; not arrogant, not condescending, just as one desiring to correct others on the vast creations of Tolkien.Although I never knew him personally, I always respected him. One vivid memory I have was a few years back, a Plaza facebook group was created, and one piece of the description stated "halfir is Tolkien reincarnated." That was the first memory I had, seeing this news. He was brilliant. I hope now all those questions he hoped to ask Tolkien in heaven are being answered.
Day is ended,<br style="color: rgb51, 51, 51; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left; : rgb255, 255, 255; ">dim my eyes,<br style="color: rgb51, 51, 51; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left; : rgb255, 255, 255; ">but journey long<br style="color: rgb51, 51, 51; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left; : rgb255, 255, 255; ">before me lies.<br style="color: rgb51, 51, 51; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left; : rgb255, 255, 255; "><br style="color: rgb51, 51, 51; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left; : rgb255, 255, 255; ">Farewell, friends!<br style="color: rgb51, 51, 51; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left; : rgb255, 255, 255; ">I hear the call.<br style="color: rgb51, 51, 51; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left; : rgb255, 255, 255; ">The ship's beside<br style="color: rgb51, 51, 51; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left; : rgb255, 255, 255; ">the stony wall....
Farewell to<br style="color: rgb51, 51, 51; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left; : rgb255, 255, 255; ">Middle-earth at last,<br style="color: rgb51, 51, 51; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left; : rgb255, 255, 255; ">I see the Star<br style="color: rgb51, 51, 51; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left; : rgb255, 255, 255; ">above your mast!
-Bilbo's Last Song, J.R.R.Tolkien

[Mo]

Sad news indeed. Few have given more of themselves to this home.

[The TARDIS]

I'm in shock. Out of everyone on the Plaza, I think halfirwas probably the greatest example of a true Tolkien fan, in every aspect of his person. Not only in his vast knowledge of lore, but also in the way he was always kind and polite to people, defending the principles of our beloved Plaza and making sure it remained a place to honor the Professor's works, and a place worthy of calling itself such. There was never any doubt of his incredible dedication to this site and the depth of his wisdom in so many things.
I feel honored to have been able to meet him, even if it was only through reading his posts in the forums, learning from him and enjoying his great sense of humor. I hadn't realized it until now, but he always seemed truly immortal to me... it's a bit hard to think of him as a normal human being like the rest of us. I hope people that met him in real life were able to appreciate him as we were able to; I can say without any doubt that he is certainly one of the most outstanding people I have met in my life. I wish I had gotten a chance to get to know him more, but I'm truly grateful for having had the honor of knowing him at all.
So thank you, halfir, for everything you have done for the Plaza, for helping build this amazing place and being an example to us all. In my heart, though I will miss him as we all will, I am glad that he's free of the illness that he was suffering from, and that he is probably now in the presence of Professor Tolkien, having some tea and discussing lore to depth as only they could.



































Edited by: Valeh Eltoran

[Dincairwen]

To quote Galadriel-


Namárië! Nai hiruvalyë Valimar!Nai elyë hiruva! Namárië!
You will be sorely missed, halfir.

[Auðri]

Turin put it best for me as he said this was 'sobering'. That is so true. I can't even feel particularly sad yet because it's just so unbelievable. halfir managed to convey a very real sense of life even through the medium of the Plaza and I simply cannot comprehend the fact that he is gone and that he won't be coming back.

Lanthy could not be more right than saying that 'in private was also gentle and kind-hearted, and one of the most earnestly sympathetic people on plaza.' As someone who worked, fought, and planned with him closely on many occasions, I would second that. He really, really always wanted what was best for Plaza and those on it. I can only assume that carried through into the rest of his life and that he was as amazing a person to those around him as he was here. It's a very great loss.

[Celandine]

Due to my absence, I didn't get to know halfir as many of you have, but his name has always been well known to me. His name was a legend in itself representing friendship, knowledge and dedication. From reading all of your posts, he was so much more than this. My heart is saddened by his loss yet the same.

Goodbye, halfir.

[Beren Laerdir]

"A gentle wisdom
Wielded in forgiving hands
Passes into night."

These are all the words I can really use for you halfir; they do not do you justice, but I mean them with all my heart.


Goodbye.

[Tarawen]

To think of the Plaza without halfir is to imagine the world without light. Here was a man who illuminated so much to so many Tolkien fans and whose knowledge and devotion raised the bar on what it truly means to be a Tolkien fanatic. As so many have said before me, I find it difficult and painful to imagine the forums without his steady, kind, and wise presence.

Thank you, halfir, for being instrumental in building the Plaza up to the place that I found almost 3 years ago and which has left an indelible mark on me. You will be dearly missed but always remembered, as your contributions remain with us and will undoubtedly provide the spark that lights the fire of a love of lore under Tolkien fans for years to come.




Edited by: Tarawen

[Shivased]

Nothing I can think of can really describe how I feel right now.

halfir has always been a fixture on the plaza, someone who made this place feel more like home than it already does, a face that never seemed to waver. He was the epitome of a Tolkien fan and so dedicated to the plaza.

Getting the chance to work a little more closely with him in Vali when I was a ruler was one of the highlights of my plaza career. He was always so easygoing and gentle, doing everything he could to make the plaza the great place it is today. On the other side he so often had me snorting and falling off my bed with some of his posts.

I can't begin to think of what it will be like without him here.

Ferthu halfir hal!




Edited by: Shivased

[Eldorion]

I haven't been on the Plaza for as long as a lot of the old-oldbies in this thread, and I didn't know halfirvery well personally. In fact, I regret to say that my last exchanges with him before I largely stopped posting on forums (an absence I've been only slowly coming back from) were not the friendliest. But there were a number of years when I was highly active in the Lore fora, and that was always halfir's domain. He was, as people have said, generous and kind, but there was another side to him. In the heat of debates and discussions he could be sharp and demanding of others, but never any more or less demanding than he was of himself. And that was as it should be. His signature quote has stuck with me over the years:



<blockquote style="margin: 0 0 0 40px; border: n&#111;ne; padding: 0px;">"He that would foil me must use such weapons as I do, for I have not fed my readers with straw, neither will I be confuted with stubble."</blockquote>
That is the halfir that I remember best. The fiercest, brightest mind on the Plaza. He was not always gentle at such times simply because he had such high standards for the Lore fora. But it was largely his own personal standards and the example he set for every New Soul who wandered in that elevated the Plaza's Lore community beyond what one finds on most Internet forums. He set a level of scholarly discourse that everyone else strove to match and I think this -- as well as being so generous with his own Tolkien knowledge -- left an impression on everyone who spent a significant amount of time in Lore.
Of course, there were other sides to halfir. I didn't know them as well, but I do remember them. One thing that I recall was being surprised by his love of the Twilightfilms (or at least the first one). It was the last film I would have expected someone like halfir to get excited about, but it just goes to show that he was as complex and multifaceted as any human being, despite the massive reputation and aura that built up around him (through no fault of his own, other than being so knowledgeable and open about Tolkien) that could sometimes be a little imposing when you were new.
The Plaza has been an extremely important part of my life and in a lot of ways I grew up on here. For a long time, Lore was the most important part of the Plaza to me. There are so many great minds who have posted in those fora, but I don't think I'm doing a disservice to any of them by saying that halfir was always in a class by himself. My proudest memory from the Plaza is not any formal award, but rather when halfir took the time to compose an incomplete list of "Plaza Scholars": both those who had achieved academic recognition in the real world and those whose only experience with Tolkien scholarship was on the Plaza. When I saw my name on that list and knew that he had remembered my posts and taken the time to mention my name among the many bright stars who made the Lore fora so special I felt incredibly honored and humbled. To put it simply, halfir waslore, and his recognition really meant something.
Other people can speak better about halfir as a person, but as someone who looked up to him for so long, I just wanted to take a moment to share my own memories. He will most certainly be missed.







Edited by: Eldorion

[Rohanna]

Reading through the kind words and sincere posts written here seems like a fitting tribute to a man who has given us so many wonderful posts to read on the Plaza throughout the years. I'm having trouble imagining the post-halfir Plaza right now, but I know he will live on forever in our archives and in our thoughts.

I think the Plaza sending flowers to his funeral is a very lovely thought.

[Morwen Daegomir]

halfir-

Though I did not have the opportunity to know you very well, you were always a great presence on the Plaza, the place and second home I love so well. I read through lore at times (though often too intimidated to post therein), and I was always impressed and enlightened by the things you had to share and the guidance you offered.

Your loss is hard to take, though I did not know you well; it has hit me in many ways I did not expect. We will miss you greatly, but you can rest assured in knowing that you will be well remembered and though many tears will be shed, we can smile through our tears remembering everything you gave to this community of Tolkien fans.

There are truly not words to express the loss we feel, and so I will simply say thank you. Thank you for everything you did.

This brings to mind the song Into the West; such a beautiful song, and its words are so fitting.

"Lay down

Your sweet and weary head

Night is falling

You’ve come to journey's end

Sleep now

And dream of the ones who came before

They are calling

From across the distant shore


Why do you weep?

What are these tears upon your face?

Soon you will see

All of your fears will pass away

Safe in my arms

You're only sleeping..."
-Into the West, Annie Lennox

Perhaps later I will have the presence of mind to create something original to honor you. For now my mind is too full of all that has occurred. And so I finally say goodbye, my friend. You will be missed.

[Dwimmerlaik]

Farewell to a true champion of the Plaza. Thank you halfir for all that you've done for the Plaza both in helping make this a place we all love and in teaching us all so much about Tolkien. You'll be very much missed, because of the person you were and because of what the Plaza will be missing out on without you here. We will all look back on your posts, recorded here forever, very fondly.

[Hasufel]

No words can adequately express what halfir was to me, to all of us. I joined the plaza in April of 2002 as a fourteen-year-old kid, and halfir was always there--to guide, to teach, to mentor, to discuss...I think I can honestly say that his example fueled my own enthusiasm for studying Tolkien, which has intensified with the passage of time. I wish there was a way to thank him for opening that door for me, and for his solid presence providing a gold mine of wisdom and knowledge (as well as humor!) over the years. He was truly an inspiration. Contemplating a world without halfir seems unreal...I'm sobbing my eyes out over a wonderful man who I never met but will never forget.

I take comfort in the knowledge that, as the years pass and the rawness of this grief fades, my memories of halfir will always be recalled during my annual LotR re-read when he comes hopping through the Old Forest in a bright blue jacket and yellow boots--for who among us will ever be able to think about Tom Bombadil without remembering halfir?

Perhaps it's silliness on my part, but I'd like to think that he is currently enjoying a good long talk with the Professor. He's earned it.

[Miriame Sárince]

Heartbreaking news. Halfir's knowledge, wisdom, and generosity enriched my life and taught me so much about the Lore. I'd always hoped to meet him someday, in "real" life, and am so sorry that this will never happen now, at least on this side of the Western Sea. Of course, I'll donate to a flower fund in his memory. I wish there was more I could do to honor his memory and all that he gave to the Plaza.

[Flame Fried Ent]

I almost started crying when I saw this thread at work earlier.



halfir and I did not interact as much as I would have liked when I was still active on the Plaza...but I always enjoyed reading his posts and learning from him.
I am sure he is in a better place, where he is definitely doing lots ofand learning from Tolkien about Tom Bombadil and whether or not Balrogs have wings...

[Eruvérdë]

I am crying and have been crying since I read this news on facebook. I can't hugglewas him anymore I have no words at the moment to say but only great saddness and tears for a great figure of the plaza and friend, grandpapa or papa to all .

[Leiryn Sulelinde]

I don't think I ever spoke to halfir or interacted with him personally on the plaza, but I've such clear memories of reading his posts, from as far back as 2004, when I was just a teenager. I learned so much from halfir -- he taught hundreds, if not thousands, of people about Tolkien and to have an even greater love and passion for Tolkien.

I have a great deal of respect and admiration for halfir. The plaza will forever miss one of its finest champions.

Rest in peace, halfir.

[Rilana]

I am so so sorry to hear this. I wish I had something deep or beautiful to say like so many others on here, but all I can say is that halfir's passing will leave a huge hole. We will miss your knowledge, enthusiasm, and above all, the amazing person you were.

[Haflin]

I feel as though a darkness has descended over the plaza as I read this. I am rather new to the plaza and indeed Tolkien in general, having only been properly versed in the legendarium for a few short years. This, however, only serves to tell me the impact that halfir had on the plaza. Immediately, from the very first day I came here, I could tell he was the leading force behind the scholarship contained in this place...

Though I and halfir never even had so much as a conversation, I feel a keen loss this day, not for a man that I knew, but for a man that I could have known but am now left to wonder what could have been. And of course my sadness not only stems from selfish reasons but also because I feel after having spent much time here, that I have made many good friends, and of course when my friends hurt, I hurt, when they weep, I weep, my pain is theirs and theirs is mine...

I will always remember the amazing amounts of knowledge and wisdom he held, and in my time reading the things he has contributed, I will always know him as a man after Tolkien's own heart. Namárië, halfir, wherever you may wander now, it was an honor and a privilege to have such a bright mind and a caring heart here among us at least for a little while...

[Menolly]

It still feels like such a shock to know that halfir is gone. He has been a constant here for so many years, and he gave so much of himself to the plaza. Others have said it more eloquently before me, but suffice to say he will be missed so very much.

[Obsidian]

Halfir: Your Halfirian light will be sorely missed and the grieve you have left us will shadow the plaza for long. May you shine brighter than ever, wherever you are now.

[Daywalker]

I've tried to think what to say and how to express my feelings about halfir but i can't say it like I want to say it.

I have dealt with too many losses in my life, too many when I look at my age but I've noticed that one line usually eases the pain in the time of mourning :

'End? No, the journey doesn't end here. Death is just another path... One that we all must take.'

Rest in peace, halfir

[Turin Ringhûn]

I hate the fact that the first post I've made in probably months is this one, but I can't not pay my respects.

I never really RPed with Halfir, but during my time here,I have read some of his posts, and like several other greats, I hoped to be able to write like him. I will miss him, and remember him as a great ruler and and admin. He gave and received much respect and was well deserving of it.

Rest in Peace.

Frodo came in soon afterwards, and found him sitting in the dark, deep in thought. ‘Has he gone?’ he asked.
‘Yes,’ answered Gandalf, ‘he has gone at last.’
' I wish - I mean, I hoped until this evening that it was only a joke,’ said Frodo....
'I think really he preferred slipping off quietly in the end,’ said Gandalf. ‘Don’t be too troubled. He’ll be all right ..." (A Long Expected Party, FotR)

[The Abhorred]

So many wonderful epitaphs, this would surely bring a tear to revered halfir's eye. This site meant the world to him, and this thread shows how much he has meant to all of us.
He dedicated so much of his time to the world of Tolkien, there are few of his like, few who held such vast knowledge of the works.

The world has lost a real master with halfir, and he will be sorely missed.

Rest in Peace.

[Lilu Olnathron]

Well this has been truly shocking news to hear. To me, halfir was a pillar to this forum, a font of knowledge and lore, a true scholar and Tolkienite. His expertise in JRRT's works and life shone a light for all, and I always admired him for this. The silence, the void left, from his passing is hard to comprehend.



I got the impression that halfir had a very interesting life, and those on the plaza that interacted with him will always be touched by his wit.
Be at peace, halfir. We will miss you.

[Adalmund]

My first reaction to the news was a loud "NO!" of shock and disbelief. It's just so hard to believe that no more posts from him will appear on the pages the plaza; hard to believe that the halfirian light has been extinguished
Rest In Peace halfir

[~~Gwaihir~~]

I wish him a road that goes on and on..wherever he may be..I hope it will be a beautiful place full of wonder where he can walk, maybe in yellow boots, where he can debate and enjoy the golden light.

It is sad news, I am sad.I admired him greatly. I wish all his family, dear ones and friends the very best for now and the times to come when you feel there is a gap in your heart. The best friend is time. In time it will heal ,slowly. But he will be missed forever.With my deepest respect Rest in Peace David, safe journey.
Wendy

[Eowyn <3 Faramir]

i only recently joined this website so never got to know him well but his loss is terrible and i wish i had had the chance to know him

[IthilienLady]

I never had the chance to be personally exposed to halfir, but after reading all the posts, it's undeniable that he was an admirable figure within the Tolkien community, and especially this plaza. To many he will be greatly missed, and his passing will bring forth much sorrow. But within all sadness, he's up into the great unknown, perhaps among the stars, and is a light that will never go out, for "moonlight drowns out all but the brightest stars."



“Far above the mountains in the west, the
night-sky was still dim and pale. There, peeping among the cloud-wrack above a
dark tower high up in the mountains, Sam saw a white star twinkle for a while.
The beauty of it smote his heart, as he looked up out of the forsaken land, and
hoped returned to him. For like a shaft, clear and cold, the thought pierced
him that in the end the Shadow was a small and passing thing: there was light
and high beauty forever beyond its reach.”


He'll be this star that Tolkien wrote of. He'll be the star that brings his friends and family everlasting hope, the star that peers through even the darkest shadows, and shines brighter than the moon.

[Lhaw]

The plaza will be a different place without him. Tis a sad day, indeed.

[Saranna]

As Yeats would have it, this is A pity beyond all telling. For a week I have shared the privilege of knowing and the burden of not being able to tell this news. It heals my heart now to read the first outpourings of your tributes, all of you, because at lastI can share the sorrow.At last I can weep.This is dreadful, the loss of David, a kind and generous friend as well as a Loremaster beyond all others.

I hopein time I will find some words of my own to pay tribute - for this thread will run for many many weeks to come, or probably months. I hope I will think of ways to commemorate him. I hope I continue to learn and grow as a Tolkienist as he always helped me to do. For now I have brought together some words by others; if they make you weep as some of your words above have made me, that's good because this is a time to mourn. But though halfir is gone, the halfirian light will never go out; as so aptly symbolised by the preservation of his name and icon. Let us take hands, my friends, as Sam and Frodo did in Cirith Ungol. The light will bring us through.


<B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">For halfir<?: prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />[/B]


When evening in the Shire was grey
his footsteps on the Hill were heard;
before the dawn he went away
on journey long without a word.


************************


A lord of wisdom throned he sat,
swift in anger, quick to laugh;
an old man in a battered hat
who leaned upon a thorny staff. –<B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Tolkien[/B]


<B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">[/B]
'I am with you at present,' said Gandalf, 'but soon I shall not be. I am not coming to the Shire. You must settle its affairs yourselves; that is what you have been trained for. Do you not yet understand? My time is over: it is no longer my task to set things to rights, nor to help folk to do so. And as for you, my dear friends, you will need no help. You are grown up now – <B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Tolkien[/B]
<H2 style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"></H2>
<H2 style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt">
Then Treebeard said farewell to each of them in turn, and he bowed three times slowly and with great reverence to Celeborn and Galadriel. ‘It is long, long since we met by stock or by stone, a vanimar, vanimálion nostari!’ he said. ‘It is sad that we should meet only thus at the ending. For the world is changing: I feel it in the water, I feel it in the earth, and I smell it in the air. I do not think we shall meet again.’
And Celeborn said: ‘I do not know, eldest.’ but Galadriel said: ‘not in Middle-earth, nor until the lands that lie under the wave are lifted up again. Then in the willow-meads of Tasarinan we may meet in the spring. Farewell!" - Tolkien</H2>


<H4 style="MARGIN: 10pt 0cm 0pt">MY PSALM</H4>

I mourn no more my vanished years;
Beneath a tender rain,
An April rain of smiles and tears,
My heart is young again.

The west-winds blow, and, singing low,
I hear the glad streams run;
The windows of my soul I throw
Wide open to the sun.

No longer forward nor behind
I look in hope or fear;
But, grateful, take the good I find,
The best of now and here.

I plough no more a desert land,
To harvest weed and tare;
The manna dropping from God's hand
Rebukes my painful care.

I break my pilgrim staff, I lay
Aside the toiling oar;
The angel sought so far away
I welcome at my door.

The airs of spring may never play
Among the ripening corn,
Nor freshness of the flowers of May
Blow through the autumn morn;

Yet shall the blue-eyed gentian look
Through fringed lids to heaven,
And the pale aster in the brook
Shall see its image given; -

The woods shall wear their robes of praise,
The south-wind softly sigh,
And sweet, calm days in golden haze
Melt down the amber sky.

Not less shall manly deed and word
Rebuke an age of wrong;
The graven flowers that wreathe the sword
Make not the blade less strong.

But smiting hands shall learn to heal, -
To build as to destroy;
Nor less my heart for others feel
That I the more enjoy.

All as God wills, who wisely heeds
To give or to withhold,
And knoweth more of all my needs
Than all my prayers have told!

Enough that blessings undeserved
Have marked my erring track;
That wheresoe'er my feet have swerved,
His chastening turned me back;

That more and more a Providence
Of love is understood,
Making the springs of time and sense
Sweet with eternal good; -

That death seems but a covered way
Which opens into light,
Wherein no blinded child can stray
Beyond the Father's sight;

That care and trial seem at last,
Through Memory's sunset air,
Like mountain-ranges overpast,
In purple distance fair;

That all the jarring notes of life
Seem blending in a psalm,
And all the angles of its strife
Slow rounding into calm.

And so the shadows fall apart,
And so the west-winds play;
And all the windows of my heart
I open to the day. - <B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">John Greenleaf Whittier[/B]


“Well, here at last, dear friends, on the shores of the Sea comes the end of our fellowship in Middle-earth. Go in peace! I will not say: do not weep; for not all tears are an evil.”
― <B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Tolkien[/B]
<B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">[/B]
And the ship went out into the High Sea and passed into the West, until at last on a night of rain Frodo smelled a sweet fragrance on the air and heard the sound of singing that came over the water. And then it seemed to him that as in his dream in the house of Bombadil, the grey rain-curtain turned all to silver glass and was rolled back, and he beheld white shores and beyond them a far green country under a swift sunrise.” – <B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Tolkien[/B]

Even death is not to be feared by one who has lived wisely. - Buddha

[Estel Underhill]

I just read about his on Facebook. I'm in absolute shock. Obviously since I haven't been around I had no idea he was ill. I bashed heads with halfir once or twice over the years, first as a Mod and then as a Ruler but I was also lucky enough to work closely with him on one or two projects. He was a true gentleman. My heart feels very heavy knowing he is gone.

[Samthoniel]

I have no words to express how I feel. It has been long since I was here regularly, but there is no question that he was one of the greatest contributors to the world of Tolkien this planet has ever seen.
The plaza has lost a titan, a pillar, a father. There is none that could replace halfir, with his wisdom, his kindness and his cheer. Respect, love, admiration, a simple tribute to one of the greatest members the plaza has ever had. There is none that could replace him.



<i style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; : rgb255, 255, 255; ">á na márië [/i]good Sir, you shall not be forgotten.

[Beliowen]

I find myself at a loss, because whatever words I may write, they cannot describe quite what I feel.
I wasn't one of the members who frequented the lore forums, but halfir's name commanded respect in every part of the plaza. My first proper interactions with him were in Valinor and I was immediately struck with how dedicated he was for the betterment of this site, and the community that goes with it. I may have disagreed with him on several occasions but I always found him respectful and willing to work with others as a team.
I can say, that he was a wonderful person, and that my regret will forever be that I didn't get to know him better. I will miss his presence on this site. And may he watch over it from afar.

halfir - I hope that the white shores and the far green country under a swift sunrise have met your hopes. Until we meet again. Rest in peace.

[Seph Goodbody]

I just heard on facebook. I can't really believe he's gone. The Plaza will be the poorer for this loss but also his friends and family. "The Road goes ever on and on..." as will Halfir's memory

[Oin]

I have disagreed with halfir on many an occasion and we shared very different views on the "halfirian light". But it would be no exaggeration to state that he was one of the two or three most important individuals to ever post on this forum out of the 100,000+ who have done so. I can think of no greater memorial to him than the legacy that he has left behind on the lore forums of this Plaza.

[Istâréndil]

Wow. halfir...

All I can think of is gratitude towards him. Long time no visit, but several years around and different levels of involvement were enough for me as to understand that the person behind that name was unique.
Wherever he is, I hope he knows how much all of us thank him for what he has done for this place and its inhabitants.

The best way to honour him is, in my opinion, keeping the meaning of the halfirian light alive.

Farewell, halfir.

[Peeeg]

I didn't know Halfir well. I may have communicated directly with him more than some, for a while at least, when he was assuming the daunting role of commander in chief, essentially. Still, I didn't know him well. Who can? We can talk to people and get a feel for their kindness or lack thereof, or their intelligence, yadda yadda. From all I did know of Halfir, David, is that he was those things. Kind, intelligent, even a little yadda.As someone who's Plaza-ly lost his yadda a few times, I can relate.
The other thing I can say about Halfir, is that he was dedicated. To the Plaza, to the mythology and beauty and awe in Tolkien's writings and dedicated to spreading that beauty and that awe to anyone who wanted to see it.

I'd love to quote some meaningful line from the Master's writings, but his story was always about us. Us Hobbits. Halfir wrote his own story. His writings are here. He is here. Halfir Lives!

[Eru]

My wife told me about the loss of Halfir/David. Like Peeg I did not know him very well but we had been in contact in the last few years through a few sporadic emails. I do know that he was one of the key people to manage the plaza after I stopped being actively involved so many years ago and that he did it with an incredible amount of dedication and passion. From all the other messages I read and the few exchanges we have had in the past I know that he was a great person who really loved this place like no other. For that I am very grateful to him.

[Bostonion]

As I think, I can't believe it's nearly been a year since I joined, but all the years halfir spent dedicated to the plaza and its members...I can't imagine how this must feel for many of you. I didn't know him well, nor did I know him for very long, but one of the first PMs I received was from halfir. I was probably only 2 or 3 months into joining the plaza then and he pointed me to the thread "Time and Place," saying that I might like it and he'd be interested to see what I had to say. Words can't express my joy (and surprise) when reading that message. I replied something to the effect of "I will definitely check it out before going to bed, but it's 2am over here, so I doubt I will post tonight." After reading the thread, 2am or not, I suddenly wasn't tired, I had to reply, and that's how all of halfir's posts made me feel. No matter what time it was, nor how exhausted I was,each of them were a relaxing breath of fresh air and pure gems to read.

Thank you halfir, you fostered and continued to inspire my love and admiration for all things Tolkien. Him...I liked.

Edit: The thread was "Strong sense of Place." It was the PM titled "Time and Place"



Edited by: Bostonion

[Ista Sharrasi]

I am in shock from this, and crying, and my son keeps asking me if I am ok which makes me cry even more - I did not even know he was ill. halfir was SUCH an amazing person, so generous and hardworking and intelligent and knowledgeable! There was no one better to go to when you had a problem or a question. I will deeply miss his insights and humor, and forever remember his kindness and willingness to help.halfir, you will be missed forever more! This song is for you - everyone will recognize it *wobbly smile*http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24fGmWG6kpg

Edited by: Ista Sharrasi

[Rorina]

I have long been gone from the Plaza, but when I heard about this on Facebook, I had to come back. I actually woke up yesterday dreaming about the Plaza and mentally composing a thread post... I can't help but wonder if something was telling me to come, and find this.

I don't have the words to express what I'm feeling. I can't say that I knew halfir well, or that I even had many interactions with him. I was intimidated... that's all on me, as he was never anything less than kind and willing to share his knowledge with anyone and everyone.

Even as someone who only checks in very occasionally to the Plaza these days, it is hard to imagine this place without halfir. I am grateful that he leaves his legacy behind him.

You will be so very missed, halfir.

[Sailacel]

I cannot believe that halfir is gone.Even though I rarely posted in the lore threads I read them attempting to soak in all the knowledge I could. I was and still am in awe of all of halfir's knowledge of Tolkien, and am verythankful for how willing he was to share it with all of us. My words are inadequate, but I cannot think of what else to say.Farewell halfir!

[Tornihyanda]

I really don't know what to say... When I was told about this misfortune, I had to take a minute to really believe in what I was reading. halfirwas certainly one of the greatest Plaza members I have ever seen, one you ought to knew his name if you spent more than one week around the place. Farewell halfir, you shall certainly never be forgotten!

[scribe]

It's times like this that words feelexceptionallyhollow and useless. halfir was my idol, my hero, and my friend. Even know I find myself halfheartedly smiling at the memory of how proud I was to be mentioned in his birthday post. He had a way of beingexceptionallywelcoming, every time he greeted a new member when they posted in any of the Lore fora it made me smile remembering my welcome. halfir was known rightly for his impressive knowledge on all matters Tolkien, and his skill at literary analysis. When I first came to the plaza, that is what struck me as well. However, I believe that image fails totruly capture his open willingness to teach and to explain rather than argue. My memory of halfir will forever be one of a patient and untiring teacher.
I feel that it is fitting to quote one of Tolkien's many lines on loss and death, yet I also find that words provide scant solice to those of us leftwithinthe circles of the world. I find myself agreeing with Arwen "For if this is indeed [...] the gift of the One to Men, it is bitter to receive."



Farewell halfir. Your legacy will still live in our hearts and your writings here. Thank you.

[Pip Reonyea]

Oh, Halfir. Although we had not spoken in many years, me having largely left the plaza, I always thought that whenever I came back he would be here. I never really spoke to him one to one; we mostly spoke in the forums on those rare occasions I ventured into into lore. At these times, he was always very kind and didn't belittle me in my ignorance. He was always full of respect, which invited respect in turn, and his intellect was truly spectacular. He will be so missed.






Edited by: Pip Reonyea

[Lord Voldemort]

I was shocked to hear this. Having not visited the plaza these few months as often as I used to, i didn't know that halfir was ill.
I can't imagine the plaza without him. Whenever I visited the lore forums, I felt the ever-presence of our lore master halfir.
I haven't been in the plaza for long, and may not have known him very well, but he was the first person I began to know in the plaza.
This is a great loss.

Thank you so much halfir, for running the lore forums and sharing your wisdom with us.
You will be sorely missed.
Farewell halfir!

[geordie]

I expect I'll be popping in and out of this thread as time goes on; hope no-one will mind my ramblings.

I joined the Plaza some seven years ago. I'd been lurking round a couple of sites, trying to find one which suited me best. It didn't take long for me to notice the name halfir, the respect he was held in by most, and the sort of guarded awe which others showed towards him. Most folk here seemed to think he knew a lot about Tolkien. 'Oh really?' I thought to myself - I was cocky in those days - 'We'll see.' Well, I did see - it didn't take long for me to realize that halfir knew a damn sight more about Tolkien than me; and, he could explain it better, too!

There was only one area where I thought I could hold my own - back in the days before the mighty Scull-Hammond, my snippets on out-of-the-way Tolkien information (derived purely from my Tolkien collection) was hard to match. If halfir wanted to know more on a topic, I'd be the one he asked. He called me the 'source guru', which I rather liked.

But there's all the difference in the world between having information and doing something useful with it. Often was the time when I'd point halfir to a book, article or periodical and then find a couple of days later a post - the beginning of a whole thread - based on my info, but with so much more info added, and with analysis, too - and yet, room for others to add more, or comment on. That's a rare ability, and one which halfir displayed time and again.

I miss halfir; I'm going to miss our emails and phone conversations - he had a terrific, explosive laugh - and he was one of the kindest blokes I've met. Well, - that's all I can say, for now.

[Menatith]

I am one of those who has never hada conversation with halfir, mostly because I am a lurker ratherthan a poster. But I have read many, many posts by halfir. They have inspired, delighted, provoked, amusedand sometimes initmidated me. They have encouraged me to dive deeper into Tolkien's work and to never stop doing so. I adored his kindness and wit, his knowledge and insight. So, although I never spoke to him nor he to me, he touched my life and I will miss him. He has always been one those who embodied what the Plaza is all about, and it's strange to think of a Plaza without him.Oh, bright-minded one! May your star shine above us and bathe us in halfirian light every we visit here! I still have many posts of yours to read, though it shall now not be without a tug of my heart. I hope that, as many have said, that you are having tea with Tolkien in a far green country.



Edited by: Menatith

[Dorwiniondil]

I feel I should say more, but my thoughts have been expressed by Lanthy and Saranna (among others) far better than I could have voiced them myself.

Yes, wit and humour, learning ("And still they gazed, and still the wonder grew / that one small brain could carry all he knew" - and yes, I have used that of geordie in the past ) ... but most of allinteractions. I never spoke to halfir on phone or Skype, but I did have email and PM conversations, and above all dialogues in the Forums. When posting something substantial one of my first thoughts was "I wonder what halfir will have to say about this" - and almost always he picked up poits that I hoped he would, as well as points I hadn't myself thought of. And spot a literary allusion!

And now no more. I'm very fed up.

[Aranaur]

Still searching for words.

[Aithne]

I am 'new' to this Forum, and I did not 'know' Halfir well, but like many others here, I have read the posts from him and learned such a lot.



Others posting on this thread are much more eloquent than I, but I offer my heartfelt condolences to all who knew him personally and on this Forum.

[Dinledhwen]

My introduction to halfir came as usual me doing something wrongwhich made his thread disappear into the Void. Fortunately, it was found for him.

May he rest in peace in that better place.

[Troelsfo]

I am . . . devastated.

In sorrow we must go, but not in despair. Behold! we are not bound for ever to the circles of the world, and beyond them is more than memory, Farewell!

halfir is now surely enjoying a well-earned pint with the professor in whatever version of the Bird and Babythat awaits us on beyond the circles of the world, while we who are left can only miss him.
Namarië meldonya!

[Mar Fireblade Mordagnir]

I am just soo... well stunned. I can find no words to express how deeply I feel on this and how much halfir meant to the Plaza. I am nearly speechless and it seems so unreal...

RIP Lord of the Lore

[Jano Snowthorn]

He that would foil me must use such weapons as I do, for I have
not fed my readers with straw, neither will I be confuted with
stubble.

Like Eldorion, that's really how I shall remember him because I didn't know him very
well except through Saranna, but I always knew that he cared passionately about
Tolkien and the online community we were privileged to share his presence
on.Márë olori, Halfir




Edited by: Jano Snowthorn

[Imin]

I am very sorry to hear of Halfirs passing. A great loss to all who knew him be it personally or through his excellent posts. I have only been on this site as a poster for a short period of time, but in that period i had come to enjoy Halfir's posts all of which explain things thoroughly and easily, i will always appreciate that.

Rest in peace.

[banecookie]

I was having a good day. Just enjoying life and my job. Then I heard this news. I can't describe how I felt. I guess it was all those years of enjoying halfir that just came crashing down on my head and for a long time all I could think of is what a friend and a mentor I have lost. But it's not just me who has lost a friend but many or us. All I can do now is get through this period of grief and remember that thanks to all of the Admins over the years, the Plaza has a rich and wonderful Archive. For me this is where halfir will live on. I really am thankful for that.




I remember way back in the early years of the Plaza. Interacting with halfir in BL was a scary thing for this old Gondorian. I was shaking in my boots every time I posted something. But I came to admire and love the old man. He taught me many things along the way but most of all he showed me the wonder of Tolkien and made me look at myself in a new way. I owe much to him. Not only here on the Plaza but in my life. He made me a better man...............
Only Manwe and Mandos knew where Men went after they died........across the Outer Sea it is said. May your journey, my old friend, be one of joy and peace. Farewell

[Baingíl Randír]

I don't even know what to say.



It's almost hard to understand - I haven't been here as long as some, but halfir has seemed like a fixture in the place. He was there when I joined, one of the first names I picked out of the overwhelming number of posters, one of the Lore experts who showed me just how little I actually knew about Tolkien (especially compared to how much I wanted to know). I thought of him as one of the Important Ones who was as far above Newbies Like Me as one could get. He was devoted to studying Tolkien, and he took it seriously. Before I'd established much of any knowledge about this place, I knew that halfir was one of the pillars of the Plaza.
Therefore, I always felt extremely honored when I gained his notice - whether it was in support of wacky hijinks or joking about how I found so many spammers in the spammity spam thread. It gave me more of a respect for him; he lost no class in doing it, but he, too, had a sense of humor.
And now...
Bah. I'll try to wrap my head around this tomorrow.

[Li]

David was a man of words.
He was able to understand them. He could play with them to create, distill and discern fantastic things. I never envisaged the day when he would stop writing. I don't think there is a person among us who did. The blessing and curse of knowing him as we did is that he seemed ageless. For a presence so intrinsically linked to something you love to be taken away is aninexpressiblepain. It is a pain I do not believe will truly fade.
We can findsolace though in the things he wrote here. The fun he had with us, the lessons he taught us. The essence of who he was will never diminish. Whilst he may never write to us again, his burning passion is a legacy that can always be looked back on. We need not light a candle for him, we need simply look to the light he himself crafted.
There are no words I can write....no words that anyone can write, which I believe will do justice to how I feel or who halfir was. I can simply say that halfir was a pleasure to work with during my time as an administrator. He was a gentle, kind spirited man whose patience and desire to share a love of Tolkiens work were an example to us all.
I will not say, do not weep, for not all tears are an evil. - J.R.R. Tolkien
You were loved friend. And you will be missed.

[Dimcairien Luiniel]

I cannot believe that halfir is gone. I never knew him very well, but from the little I've read in the Lore forums, he always had very interesting things to say. I often disagreed with him, but I still respected his opinion and through his posts I have gained much knowledge of Tolkien.

My condolences go out to his friends and family.

RIP halfir.




Edited by: Dimcairien Luiniel

[Maldir Alarion]

I simply cannot comment on this most grievous of news yet, it is far too painful.

[Durien]

In the world of men, halfir was mortal. But here, he is immortal. His legacy will not be forgotten, will endure as long as the members of the plaza endure. This tribute at least, we can offer even while we mourn his passing. May the far green meadows be more than you dreamed, halfir, and may we someday meet on a far distant shore.

[Anson Longbottom]

My heart goes out to his family. He will be missed by one and all on the virtual Plaza, and grieved by many in the real life world when not on the Plaza. Such a loss. Such a loss.

[Taurëllo]

All that I can say is, goodbye halfir, and thank you for all the knowledge you brought to us all. You will be sorely missed.

[Almarëa Mordollwen]

I have kept trying to post here and failing for lack of words, because there seem to be none that can be a fitting tribute - to his knowledge, his wisdom, his kindness, and his dedication to the Plaza.
He will be missed.
Namarië, halfir.

[Lotryn]

I remember spending some time in Lore when I was starting out and was so thrilled when the dude that knows so much about Tolkien gave me tribute points! It was always such an honor to have him appreciate your efforts and that never changed over the years.

Rest in peace, halfir. Your passion for Tolkien has been a great inspiration. The Plaza will never be the same without you.

[Beathan Alasterion]

here i salute n pay me last respects to the man who dedicated his love for this place. i won't say last respects but respects for ages. i , like most or some, heard this news from facebook. took me quite some time to remember things that was before. no doubt a great man, mentor, life teacher, spirit etc who made this place great. we have never met but from a family member who grew her passion from his light, i could sense he meant a lot to her. strange how an accident can wipe out memories but not the ones held in the heart. the church chimes just rang here. halfir, you shall be in our hearts forever, and we can boast to the new members that we knew a great person like you, wherever u are, you shall be the light that will challenge us all, and encourage us all to be the best in what we do, to fight what for is beautiful on this earth and live our out dreams. i salute you, sir....

[Lanthir Lamath]

A short fyi-
Through luck, circumstance and fantastic communication we were able, despite the short notice, to send the following two flower wreaths to halfir's funeral. Thank you all who are donating/donated/wish/would have donated.


message with wreath: " To an amazing lore-master and beloved friend, from Lotrplaza.com; We miss you.


message with wreath: "End? No, the journey doesn't end here. Death is just another path... One that we all must take."- JRR Tolkien.
We hope you're having tea with professor Tolkien. - Lotrplaza.com"

The funeral is taking place now, as I am writing.

(images copyighted to the Thailand Florist Network)

[Dimcairien Luiniel]

Thank you for posting those pictures of the wreaths, Lanthy. They look beautiful and I know that the messages are from the hearts of all of us here on the plaza.

[geordie]

*gosh, the funeral is taking place, now - bows head.

Lanthy, thank you so much for all you've done. The flowers are beautiful, as are the feelings expressed on the cards.

Namarie, David.

*do you know what? I was just about to send this post, and a song has come on the radio; it's playing now, as I type. 'I would give anything I own, just to have you back again'.. how odd it should be playing now.

Edited by: geordie

[Eldorion]

Thank you for posting that and letting us know about the funeral, Lanthy. This thread has been on my mind a lot this weekend and I keep checking back to see what everyone else is sharing. I've been really moved by some of the posts here.

[Uruva]

Seconded. Thank you.

[Dorwiniondil]

Thank you, Lanthy.

[Galastel]

Thank you, Lanthy, for organising the wreaths.

[Laielinwen]

Thank you Lanthy. They are beautiful. I so wish he was nearer so I could have flown to be there for his funeral. I had been after him for years now to come back for a visit to England. Meeting geordie was amazing and to imagine those two in the same room... It lifts the weight on my heart a bit to imagine it. It would have been one of highest highs to counter this day.
"For if joyful is the fountain that rises in the sun, its springs are in the wells of sorrow unfathomable at the foundations of the Earth." ~ Tolkien