I am absolutely shocked hearing this. I am flying to Cali tomorrow morning to visit family that lives up in Castaic. When I go out there (usually at least once a year), I always reach out to a few Pinsiders I chat with in the LA area (Aurich last time) to see if they want to chill, and so I can get my pinball fix for the week. Always good to meet some of you guys and gals that I pretty much chat online with every day, but never get to see face to face. Most of us on Pinside are very cool people and I've met so many cool people in this hobby...even though we argue and bicker via this medium sometimes.

I had spoken with Don in the past about deals, but never solidified one unfortunately. I just spoke with him about 3 or 4 weeks ago asking him about a few games, and telling him I would be in the area this month. He said he didn't feel that great and didn't say why, but still invited me down to check out his games, talk some pinball and music, etc. We talked on the phone for about an hour, and he still seemed in pretty good spirits to me. I just can't believe that I'm this close to leaving tomorrow, and was planning on heading down the lovely 5 and the 405 to hang with him sometime this week, and now that isn't going to happen. Beyond unexpected.

He was only 48, and nobody deserves to leave this planet that early. I'm sure he will be missed by many, and now I'm sorry that I never got a chance to hang out with him in person after reading all the stories above. Rest in peace.