Farewell to a dear friend- Marc Orchant
This is one of the hardest things I have had to write. Dear friend Marc Orchant passed away today having never recovered from the heart attack he suffered a week ago. Marc has touched me so deeply and will always be in my memory, and I am sure that many, many people feel the same way. Marc’s funeral will likely be held in the middle of this week for those wishing to attend and details will be made available shortly. Another of Marc’s good friends Oliver Starr received the sad news from Marc’s family and has posted the details, and I’ve reproduced them for Marc’s friends to see:
It is with great sadness that I report thatMarc Orchant, Husband to Sue, Father to Rebecca and Jason, and friendto so many, passed away just a short time ago. I was notified by Marc’sbrother Craig.
His family and closest friends were at hisside and his favorite music was playing. Craig said that Marc’s passingwas as peaceful and easy as anyone could have hoped and he left thisworld surrounded by love from so many people that he couldn’t possiblyhave failed to know how many people cared for, appreciated andrespected him.
Anyone that knew Marc also knew how much heloved music; especially the Grateful Dead. The excerpt below is fromone of the songs that helped the family say goodbye to Marc and helpedMarc move on to the next world. I talked to Marc almost every singleday for the past couple of years. I’m sure that I’m not alone when Isay that I am going to miss him so, so much.
To allow for people that may need to traveland take time of work, services are most likely going to be held thiscoming Wednesday afternoon at the Temple where the Orchants aremembers. I will provide more specific details as soon as they have beenprovided to me. Marc’s family expressed once again their gratitude forthe outpouring of love and support that the technology community hasshown in this very difficult time. Your warmth, concern and friendshipwill not be forgotten.
River gonna take me
Sing me sweet and sleepy
Sing me sweet and sleepy
all the way back home
It’s a far gone lullaby
sung many years ago
Mama, Mama, many worlds I’ve come
since I first left homeGoin home, goin home
by the waterside I will rest my bones
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
to rock my soul
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My God. What an enormous loss! God bless Sue as she goes forward without her dearest friend and mate.
Oh no!
I have been reading Marc’s weblogs and listening to his podcasts for years. Years ago I attended a Microsoft Search Champs meeting with him, although we didn’t speak much.
From his weblogs and podcasts I learned a lot not only about technology but also something about Marc’s personal life. I always wanted to meet Marc.
I am so sad about this — for Marc’s relatives and friends. Words can’t express my feelings. I am so very sorry.
This is really sad news. I never met Marc, nor spoke with him, but the respect he held in the tech community was obvious for all to see.
I will fill my heart with hope and comfort for Marc’s family, as I had from the first moment we all heard of Marc’s heart attack. It’s a sad day for all of us in this small world of ours.
Rest in peace Marc; mine and I’m sure all of the JKOnTheRun readers thoughts are with you and your family.
What sad news, especially during the holidays. My deepest condolences for the Orchant family and his friends.
Marc was a friend to many who never had a chance to meet him. This is very sad. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.
Steve
So sad. Marc reached out to a lot of people I know across the web. I thought the news wouldn’t be good today, when I read the earlier post.
I’m still in shock over the tragedy of Marc’s passing, but I too had a bad feeling based on this morning’s update. More to say later… for now: you will be missed, Marc. Peace.
From the great stuff he talked about on the TabletPC show to the many blog postings I have read. Marc was a asset to the mobile community and to the Tablet PC community. I am also reminded of how fragile life can be. Thanks for all of the great blog postings and wonderful podcasts. The tech community will sorely miss Marc. God bless him and his family. This is a terrible time of year to lose someone, but we must remember what a gift he has been to the tech community as well as his family. God Bless Marc. Hopefully you are already using your dream mobile device as you are most definitely going to be a busy angel.
This is difficult news and such a loss to Marc’s family, and extended family in the mobile tech world. I’m sure I join many in saying my thoughts and prayers are with Marc’s family, and to thank Mark for his outstanding insight. We’ve never met, but I know I am better off having read and listened to his experiences.
Sunday nights were the nights I would walk my dog and listen to the conversations you and Mark would have and record usually on Sunday mornings it seemed. It was typically the perfect ending/beginning to the week behind and the week ahead, listening to your high minded but intimate and friendly discussions. The last time you and he talked and let all of us in on it was three months ago and it will remain in my iTunes library and on my iPhone for a long time to come. Marc’s was a beautiful mind if there ever was one, and I will have a very hard time letting go of it, so I can’t even imagine what you and his loved ones are going through right now. My thoughts and prayers are with you James and I want to sincerely thank you for letting me share in the friendship you shared with Marc.