LWN: Comments on "James Barry Corbet 1936 - 2004"

James Barry Corbet 1936 - 2004

vinn — 2005-01-06T19:31:43+00:00

Jon, I'm so sorry to hear of your loss.

I've done my fair share of climbing and skiing, but the accomplishments of your father are amazing. The two expeditions you cited are some of the greatest in mountaineering.

A few years ago I got off the tram at Jackson and stood looking over the edge of Corbet's Couloir. Even in today's world of extreme sports, Corbet's is enough to send a shiver up anyone's spine. There's a famous saying in skiing - if you're brave enough to look over the edge, you have to ski it. It's the only time I've looked over the edge and backed away. Most of you probably haven't heard of it, but it's a classic line - one of the all time greats. The drop into the couloir (chute) is at least a 10 foot minimum with most entrances 25 - 40 feet. After you drop over the edge, there's a massive boulder that springs up in the middle of the chute just waiting to eat you alive. From there's it's a mere 4100' vertical (1250m) of skiing down some of the steepest terrain in North America to get to the bottom.

James Barry Corbet 1936 - 2004

mceesay — 2004-12-31T18:58:05+00:00

It seems to me that Barry lived with a passion, loved and was loved greatly, and left behind a legacy of achievement and more importantly a lasting impact for the better on those who knew him.

Jon, my condolences on your loss and my congratulations on having had such an outstanding human being for a father.

Regards,
Mamading.

James Barry Corbet 1936 - 2004

aaronne@thinkmagazine2.org — 2004-12-30T10:21:04+00:00

Sad, sad news.
Condolescences and all my sympathy.

Ciao

Simone

James Barry Corbet 1936 - 2004

jcm — 2004-12-26T23:50:01+00:00

My condolences on the loss of your father and appreciation that you chose to share such a personal experience with the LWN readership.

Jon.

James Barry Corbet 1936 - 2004

dmerrill — 2004-12-26T22:25:22+00:00

I'm so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family.

James Barry Corbet 1936 - 2004

nan — 2004-12-25T12:58:23+00:00

Jon, this is a very special time and I can only imagine what you must be going through right now. Carrying on with lwn under the circumstances just shows your strength and commitment. It would have made your father proud. My condolences to you and your family.

Jose

James Barry Corbet 1936 - 2004

stock — 2004-12-25T04:38:12+00:00

Good men are hard to find. I don't know James Barry Corbet, but he seemed
to boldly go where others would fail miserably. You can be proud to be
his son.

My Sincere Condolances.

Robert

Isn't this off-topic for LWN?

sbergman27 — 2004-12-24T01:16:26+00:00

Wookey, I truly do not understand the motivation for your post. As a long time reader of LWN, and now a long time subscriber, I value this publication, and the ability of its chief editor to choose stories which are relevant to this site, as well as to create engaging original content. This story is quite relevant to this site, and to FOSS in general. And for more reasons than one. I suspect that it is a case of "If you don't understand it, it probably can't be explained."

Peace, and long life,
Steve Bergman

James Barry Corbet 1936 - 2004

gilb — 2004-12-23T21:51:35+00:00

My condolences, you had quite a father. I enjoyed reading about his life in your article. He certainly would be an inspiration to anyone who got to know him.

James Barry Corbet 1936 - 2004

mmarkov — 2004-12-23T19:49:11+00:00

My sincere condolences!

--
Minko Markov, Sofia, Bulgaria

James Barry Corbet 1936 - 2004

malex — 2004-12-23T19:39:18+00:00

Jon,

Please accept my condolences as well. I too lost my father this year and
feel your pain. Take care and celebrate his wonderful life.

Alex.

James Barry Corbet 1936 - 2004

tmattox — 2004-12-23T18:03:02+00:00

My condolences Jonathan, and a heartfelt wish that you and your family can over the holidays
and years to follow share your personal stories about Barry Corbet so that he may live on in your
memories.

James Barry Corbet 1936 - 2004

george — 2004-12-23T16:48:04+00:00

Thank you, Jon, for the gift of your father's story to all of us.
Your love for him shines through it; what greater memorial can
any of us have than that? Deepest sympathy for your loss.

Isn't this off-topic for LWN?

obobo — 2004-12-23T15:57:45+00:00

One of the strengths of the LWN community (and Free software communities in general) are that they are just that, communities. Jonathan's personality and humanity shine through each issue of LWN, and are a big reason why I read it. I think that news of such an important event in Jonathan's life should certainly be on the front page.

Jonathan, let me add my condolences. Your father's story and spirit are an inspiration.

-Bill

James Barry Corbet 1936 - 2004

andyo — 2004-12-23T14:51:37+00:00

I can vouch that an fine, incisive writing style runs in the family.

James Barry Corbet 1936 - 2004

coolian — 2004-12-23T14:46:13+00:00

Jesus, that was poignant. Brought tears to my eyes.
Merry Christmas.

James Barry Corbet 1936 - 2004

bbencic — 2004-12-23T13:07:34+00:00

My most sincere condolences to you and your family.

James Barry Corbet 1936 - 2004

sitaram — 2004-12-23T12:52:15+00:00

And since this legacy gave us something like Jon, we owe your father a lot of thanks.

Thanks for your work once again, and my deepest condolences.

Isn't this off-topic for LWN?

wookey — 2004-12-23T12:19:44+00:00

I appear to be in something of a minority here, but I don't see what this has to do with Linux or LWN. I can see why it's of personal interest to our editor, and the article was OK as this guy seems more interesting than your average joe, but I do think the frontpage of LWN should remain essentially on-topic, and this article wasn't.

Call me a miserable curmudgeon if you like, but I thought it should be said.

James Barry Corbet 1936 - 2004

Felix.Braun — 2004-12-23T10:31:24+00:00

Jon, I feel deeply sorry for you. Having been spared from going through a similar experience so far, I can only imagine the grief you must be feeling. I'm amazed that you and the rest of the LWN-team produced this week's issue despite this loss. I'm also grateful that you shared his story with all of your readers. All the best from Berlin/Germany.

James Barry Corbet 1936 - 2004

cass — 2004-12-23T10:22:49+00:00

I have missed your father since he left New Mobility. His "Bully Pulpits" were often all I read, unless there was an article by him.

I see you have his writing talent. Carry it on for all of us.

I had to laugh at the Larry Flynt comparison. I see none. Barry was, in my eyes, a much greater man.

cass

James Barry Corbet 1936 - 2004

jordi — 2004-12-23T10:10:42+00:00

Jon, my condolences.

My eyes are a bit wet now. Your father was obviously a fantastic man.

James Barry Corbet 1936 - 2004

hummassa — 2004-12-23T09:51:16+00:00

I join the choir to send to you my deepest sentiments, Jon.

James Barry Corbet 1936 - 2004

jschrod — 2004-12-23T03:48:21+00:00

Our thoughts will be with you. What more can we say?

Joachim Schrod

James Barry Corbet 1936 - 2004

barbara — 2004-12-22T23:34:49+00:00

Our condolences to you and your family, Jon.

When my husband and I read your obituary for your father, a memory was
triggered that we had a copy of "Everest, the West Ridge", published by
the Sierra Club in 1963 (the abridged edition) and that somone by the name
of Corbet was on that expedition. Sure enough, it was your Dad. As I
write this comment, my husband is reading the book for the third time. It
gives lots of details of the expedition including your dad's strong backup
support for getting two Americans to the summit.

James Barry Corbet 1936 - 2004

emak — 2004-12-22T22:57:11+00:00

Condolences for you and yours.

James Barry Corbet 1936 - 2004

mchristensen — 2004-12-22T17:04:54+00:00

"Any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind" -- John Donne.

James Barry Corbet seems like someone I'd love to get to know, and I am sorry that I will never get that chance. We are all diminished by his passing. But it is also clear that he made a difference while he was alive, and his legacy will live on in his work, his friends, and his family.

My thoughts and prayers go out to all those who knew James and who feel his loss most deeply.

--Mark Ramm

James Barry Corbet 1936 - 2004

tres — 2004-12-22T14:49:36+00:00

Jon,

As someone who has kayaked The Grand Canyon, including Lava Falls, and had to swim twice on my trip (in Crystal Falls and a smaller rapid named for the river mile -- I think Rapid 223) I can tell you that his rafting that canyon as a paraplegic is an amazing feat, accomplishment, and inspiration to all of us river rats in the world. In fact I'm pretty much amazed by that and his many other accomplishments! (Thanks for providing the links that you did.) I can't tell you how much it means to me to run into people like that on the river; I'm sorry that I never had the opportunity to run into your father.

I am, however, greatful that he passed on his drive to you and that you have applied it to making LWN into the great publication that it is today. I am sincerely sorry for your loss and the loss to all of the outdoor enthusiasts out there by the passing of your father: James Corbett.

Sincerely,
Tres

James Barry Corbet 1936 - 2004

mdekkers — 2004-12-22T09:30:56+00:00

A great man, leaving a great legacy. My deepest, heartfelt sympathies go out to you and your family. The world is surely a bit more boring with his passing.

Martijn

James Barry Corbet 1936 - 2004

leews — 2004-12-22T06:56:07+00:00

With deepest condolences from Singapore.

A wonderfully written tribute.

As other's have mentioned here, you have a editorial blood and a pioneering spirit.

James Barry Corbet 1936 - 2004

lilo — 2004-12-22T04:20:26+00:00

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. Condolences to you and to your family.

Robert Levin

James Barry Corbet 1936 - 2004

butcher — 2004-12-22T03:14:56+00:00

After reading your account of his life, I can't help but smile, not cry. What a rich journey was his. Most of us can only hope to accomplish in our lives even a tenth of your father's legacy.

I know you must miss him very much, so I offer my condolences.

Glenn Butcher
Colorado Springs

James Barry Corbet 1936 - 2004

warthawg — 2004-12-21T22:40:51+00:00

Jonathan,

So very sorry to hear of your loss.

Joe Barr

James Barry Corbet 1936 - 2004

sbergman27 — 2004-12-21T21:50:14+00:00

I've thought about what I might say in this post. And I have not come up with anything that really seems adequate. So I will trust in simplicity, and offer my heartfelt condolences.

Mentioned on CNN (Text)

AnswerGuy — 2004-12-21T19:27:11+00:00

I saw mention of his passing on the text under the talking heads on CNN.

In this particular case I think that an article in Wikipedia would be
appropriate. Of course their policy eschews vanity pages. However, in
my opinion, James Barry Corbet vaults the bar. Jon, with your permission
I'd like to author such a page (with links to Everest, the Jackson Hole Culoir and other articles as appropriate, of course).

JimD

James Barry Corbet 1936 - 2004

alonzo — 2004-12-21T18:11:39+00:00

Jonathan --
My condolences to you and your family. Your father must have been quite a man. His presence will be felt for a very long time.
-- alonzo

James Barry Corbet 1936 - 2004

zezaz — 2004-12-21T18:09:26+00:00

Sincere condolences from France, Jon, to you and your family.

James Barry Corbet 1936 - 2004

cdmiller — 2004-12-21T15:43:55+00:00

My condolences. Thank you for sharing some of your fathers story with us. It is good to hear individuals can still create change for the better in this world. Stories like your fathers give hope for humanity. May our actions live up to standards set by your father and others like him.

- cameron

James Barry Corbet 1936 - 2004

smulcahy — 2004-12-21T15:35:07+00:00

Condolences Jon.

-stephen

James Barry Corbet 1936 - 2004

a9db0 — 2004-12-21T15:33:28+00:00

Jon-

My sincerest condolences to you and your family. I know what it is like to lose a loved one, and I can truly sympathize. You will be in our thoughts and prayers this holiday season.

Dave