From the Blab
(link...)

Courtesy of Hayduke

Please don't call Judy.

Our friend Robert Loest suffered what was probably attack of ventricular fibrillation Friday afternoon and collapsed while putting air in his car tires and did not regain conciousness. Paramedics were able to re-start his heart, but after two days of hypothermia treatment and recovery attempts there is no meaningful neurological activity and it's clear that he has been gone since Friday. This afternoon the ventilator was disconnected and we're waiting for the body to end its struggle.

Except for the timing it was a great way to go. It's unlikely he felt anything beyond a fluttering in his chest. He has been as happy as I've known him lately in large part due to his recent conversion to the Catholic faith (which many of us tried unsuccessfully to talk him out of).

We tried to keep this hushed for as long as possible at Judy's request and in large part to reduce the strain on her. Judy appreciates your wishes and emails, but she is overwhelmed and stressed by the visits and phone calls. It's not you, it's the 20 people who called before you.

Robert was brilliant, inquisitive, rash, argumentative, generous, caring, a great friend and the big brother I never had. I loved him deeply and miss him terribly.
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Men and ships rot in port.