Re: Al Barsa

[lbolhuis@xxxxxxxxxx]

I know that many many of you knew Al better than I but I have come to know 
him better over the last few years. I first heard him speak in Las Vegas 
many years ago when I was just one of thousands of attendees. At that 
session, noting all the people standing around perimeter of the room, Al 
in his inimitable style barked out "Plenty of seats up front, PLEASE come 
have a seat.".  Some fellow replied for us all, "We don't want to sit Al, 
Our BUTTS Hurt!"  The room exploded in laughter and even Al couldn't reply 
to that one.

More recently he began referring to me by my alter ego: DrFranken.  He was 
always involved from the first session of the day to the closing of each 
social event speaking to anyone who asked answering questions or dolling 
out knowledge. 

I spoke to Al many times this week and even helped him down the stairs 
after he received the most recent of his many COMMON Gold metals. (His 
black and blue eye made it hard to see the steps properly.)  Most recently 
I spoke to him at the close of the iSocial recognition event on Wednesday 
evening. Al was being himself and told a 30 second joke in 5 minutes.  We 
were the last two to leave the room and as we did he was promising various 
(unnamed!) COMMON staff members walking down the hall together that  he 
might just start rumors about them.  Al to the end.

To say he will be missed is truly a 64 bit  understatement 

My deepest and heartfelt condolences to his family, his friends here at 
COMMON and user groups everywhere.

  - Larry Bolhius aka DrFranken,

www,arbsol.com
www.frankeni.com 

I've just been given the news that Al Barsa died last night.  No 
details yet - will pass those along as I hear them.

Al has been a friend for many years and a long-time contributor to 
this list - we'll miss him.



Jon Paris

www.Partner400.com
www.SystemiDeveloper.com