DU's "Senator" Died June 8, 2011

[pat_k]

Dusty Kiegel -- "Senator" here on DU since 2001 ("Senator101" on the old TableTalk Politics board), love of my life and constant companion for more than 20 years -- died on June 8, 2011.

I am so sorry that I allowed his online "voice" to go silent without explanation for almost a year, but I was just unable to relay the heartbreaking news sooner.

His death came without warning. I saw him off on a trip on June 7, 2011. After the flight he become ill with what he thought was some sort of food poisoning. He died that night. A heart attack as he slept. He was 49.

His obituary appeared in the New Jersey Star Ledger. You can find it here

I like to think that he and Andy Stephenson had a grand reunion.

-- pat_k (Patty Keeshan)

Photos

______________________________________________

For those who did not "know" him....

Senator's Journal

TalkingImpeachment.com
Project we sponsored

[lpbk2713]

1. Thank you for thinking of us and letting us know.

I am so sorry for your loss.

[Raine]

2. Very sorry to hear this sad news

so young to go, a good voice silenced. THANK YOU for letting us know and much sympathy to you and all those who loved and cared about him.

[Egalitarian Thug]

3. Thank You. n/t

[Skinner]

4. I am so sorry to hear this.

RIP, Senator.

[pat_k]

64. Thank you Skinner

[Tikki]

5. A fine, fine man....

Thank you for this...some of the newer DUers will now know of this man.



Tikki

[pat_k]

63. It means so much...

to know his contribution is appreciated. Thank you.

[PCIntern]

6. I am SO sorry...

thank you for letting us know. May his memory always be a blessing.

PC Intern

[myrna minx]

7. Thank you so much for letting us know. May he rest in peace.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

[H2O Man]

8. Very sad news.

Take care of yourself, Friend Patty. And know that there are always folks here to talk to. Okay?

Peace,
Patrick

[pat_k]

59. It's so good to see you (and the other "old timers") again.

I know I've been among the missing, but the connections remain very real. The significance of DU to "Senator" and I is hard to express. Making his loss known to his online community has somehow been a separate, very difficult thing to do. I guess I just needed to leave him alive "out here" for awhile.

Thank you Patrick. I hope you know how much I appreciate your presence and kind thoughts.

[DonRedwood]

9. A big hug for your broken heart

[DonRedwood]

11. And thank you for the photos.

It will help bring closure to put a smiling face with his writing.

Best Wishes.
Don

[WillyT]

10. Thank You !!!

Peace...

& Rec !!!

[Spazito]

12. My deepest condolences for your loss, Patty...

I remember Senator's posts and his passion.

[The empressof all]

13. I remember your husband well

He became one of the many who have silently gone missing from our community. I am so very sorry for your loss....and the loss of those here who didn't have the pleasure of reading his posts. Thank goodness for journals so we can remember a bit....

Thank you for posting this.....

[AnneD]

54. So many times....

I wonder what happened to familiar names when they go missing. I am making a contact list so that in the event of my sudden demise-my family knows to call on of my DU friends to let them get out the word to my extended circle of friends.

[Little Star]

14. RIP Senator. Sorry for your loss pat_k.

[Skidmore]

68. I somehow missed that he had passed.

I just assumed he had moved on. I always looked forward to his posts.

[FailureToCommunicate]

15. What a loss for you.

And for us.

RIP Senator

[NC_Nurse]

16. I'm sorry for your loss. He sounds like a wonderful person.

May he rest in peace.

[Canuckistanian]

17. My Condolences

Thanks for letting us know. We often wonder about former long-time DUers who no longer post any more.

[jannyk]

18. That's very Sad News indeed.

Thanks Pat, for letting us know. Thoughts will be with you on the 8th of next month. Fare thee well Senator!

[mrs_p]

19. I am so sorry for your loss

and hope that you have found peace and healing.

[lunasun]

20. Glad you were able to relay the info - time is not an issue

My friend lost her husband that way and it is such a shock when it is not expected in the least - no illness /not old age yet. The closure you anticipate should anything ever happen between you was not there - in her case he left in the morning and she got a call by lunch.

My condolences on your loss and good memories forever

[KaryninMiami]

21. Beautiful, Patty, just beautiful

I have to believe that not only did Dusty have a terrific reunion with Andy- but I'll bet they are gonna team up and help us win this election. Who knows- maybe those two were the ones who knocked some sense into Holder today to finally take action against the vote purging in Florida!

Such great memories of us all together in Nashville- for those of you newer to DU, once, a very long time ago, back in the pre-twitter days, a bunch of activist citizens, came together for one of the most amazing gathering of election reform/voting rights activists ever assembled.

Anyone know had the honor of knowing Dusty, would know how amazingly focused he was on so may key issues- and how committed he was to facilitating change and to making a difference. Most especially about impeachment and election integrity (or the lack there of it with electronic machines) and justice. He was brilliant and an excellent writer and great fun to converse with and knew so much about so many things- I learned a lot from him.

His voice shall be missed around here- and also in my life.

Cheers to you Dusty and also to Andy! We love you both!

[pat_k]

44. Nashville conference photos....

Thanks so much Karyn. The image of them doing some "from beyond" Holder ass-kicking is priceless.

Here are a couple photos Dusty took at the conference.... none of "Senator" (he was behind the camera...

Nashville 2004

[KaryninMiami]

48. Great photos- made me a bit weepy- but I smiled too.

And yes- I am pretty sure that Dusty and Andy will continue to work for justice from their new location! At the moment, my guess is they are very focused on throwing out Walker and on stopping the purging. The image is priceless- keep it in your heart - especially this week as we near the anniversary.

Sending love to you.

[pat_k]

46. ...and his favorite photo of Andy

Andy

[pat_k]

47. ...and one of my favs

Last edited Fri Jun 1, 2012, 10:38 AM - Edit history (3)

again!

Oh No!

[AverageJoe90]

22. R.I.P. Senator......

Sorry for your loss, Patty. May his afterlife be eternally peaceful.

[Bossy Monkey]

23. So sorry to hear it. Best and all sympathies to you and all his family and friends. May he R.I.P. nt

[a la izquierda]

24. Peace to you, Patty

I hope you find some solace.

[MrMickeysMom]

25. ... the love of your life...

No wonder you couldn't post for a year, or so...

I do recall some of his posts, and thank you for his journal link. May time continue to help sooth you...

Your love is forever held here.

[Ilsa]

26. My deepest condolences to you

and your family, Patty K. I can't imagine the pain you've been through this last 12 months.
The Senator left us far too soon, sweetheart.

[zeemike]

27. I am so sorry Patty.

And after reading some of his journal and seeing his passion for impeaching the chimp I know I would have liked him too.
Thanks for sharing this with us and may peace be on you...

[ornotna]

28. I am sorry for your loss Pat

Thank you for posting this here.

[DLevine]

29. So sad. My heart goes out to you.

[Iggo]

30. SENATOR!!!

[Autumn]

31. I remember him. He was a wonderful liberal voice.

A great loss.

[msanthrope]

32. I am so sorry, Pat. I wish you peace. nt

[Gormy Cuss]

33. Thank you for letting us know.

I am so sorry for your loss.
RIP Senator.

[ellisonz]

34. I remember that striking username...

...I thought, what a noble idea.

[RainDog]

35. condolences - sorry for your loss

[Solly Mack]

36. Thank you for letting us know.

I'm so sorry.

[AndyTiedye]

37. Condolences

May you find the peace and the strength to get through this.

[RFKHumphreyObama]

38. My deepest and sincerest thoughts, prayers, condolences and heartfelt sympathies to you

I'm so sorry for your loss. Peace and condolences to you and your family

[EFerrari]

39. I'm so sorry to read this.

His was such a strong, clear voice. I always looked forward to reading his posts.

I'm sorry, Patty.

[pat_k]

57. I know he made a difference here.... as have you...

...and so many others.

Thank you.

[barbtries]

40. i'm so sorry.

[NNN0LHI]

41. Condolences

Senator was a good DUer and he will be missed.



Don

[Kaleva]

42. Very sorry about your loss and I thank you for posting this.

[JNelson6563]

43. Hugs and encouragement.

Thank you for posting this. Please take good care of you and feel free to visit us!



Julie

[WilliamPitt]

45. One of my favorite people here.

I am so sorry.

[pat_k]

60. The feeling was mutual.

I'm thankful our paths crossed, and that you were among the DUer's Dusty and I got to meet in the "real world."

[HillWilliam]

49. So sorry for your pain and loss, Patty

from Rob and me.
Bill

[tularetom]

50. I'm sorry to hear this

Just realized I hadn't seen him around for awhile.

Sorry for your loss.

[MADem]

51. I remember him--my deepest condolences to you.

What a lovely obit--this bit certainly speaks volumes:

A lifelong Red Sox fan, Dusty was always there when needed, and spent his life caring for the needs of his family and friends. He lived his life with integrity and compassion, and brought joy to the ordinary activities he shared with the love of his life, Patty, and their dogs, KD., OD., and dd.

A loving husband, good to animals, AND a Red Sox fan? That's a life well lived! I hope your memories are a comfort to you.

[pat_k]

61. Thank you so much.

His truly was a life well lived. It was always more about the journey for him. He was more concerned with the well-being of his fellow travelers on the road, than on getting to the next milepost. His voice will always be with me, reminding me to pay attention to the things that really matter -- to "stop and smell the roses." Remembering is still so painful -- the fact that he is gone is still unreal at times. But I know one day I'll be able to look back without tears, and just be thankful for the joyful times we shared.

[MADem]

67. I do know what you are feeling.

The memories will always be with you. They are bittersweet at first but in time they're more sweet than bitter. The pain does seem never-ending, and if you're anything like me, you might try to actively wish away the pain because it's just with you so damn often and it feels like a weight on your chest and a knife in your heart. Then, as time passes, it's not always there, but it sneaks up on you when you least expect it, and boy does that just, well, suck. I sometimes wished there was a pill I could take to hasten that day when the memories would make me smile without that stabbing feeling. It does come, eventually... it just takes its sweet time getting there.

Hang in there, I'll be thinking of you. He sounds like he was a "helluva fellah" as we say in the land of Bean and Cod.

[countryjake]

52. It makes me very sad to hear your news...

and I'd like to send all of my sympathies on to you. Your "Senator" was a wonderful voice here and so important to the struggle for justice in our ravaged world. It is a shock to learn that he is gone too soon. I am so sorry, but I do thank you for telling us.

Sending thoughts of peace and strength as your family approaches this grievous anniversary.

[libodem]

53. Your loss

Is our loss, too. May you find comfort to ease the grief.

[Warpy]

55. Thank you for posting this and letting us know

and those of us who have experienced grief and loss would never fault anyone else's timetable.

I'm so sorry you lost him.

How are you doing these days?

[pat_k]

66. It's day by day...

Grief threatens to overwhelm. I still can't imagine a future without him. But I know that as long as I am able to stop and listen for his voice -- reminding to pay attention to the things that make life worth living (like taking the time to watch for the seasonal arrival of "our" hummingbirds, or reminding me that someone I love would probably love to hear from me) -- I'll be ok.

Thank you for the understanding.

[pat_k]

56. Thank you all so much.

I can't tell you how much your kind words and thoughts mean to me.

[Historic NY]

58. Very sorry to hear of his passing & thanks the photos help me conenct...

I remember them being posted.

[kimi]

62. I am so very sorry. . .

I didn't know him, but reading about his life is touching. He will RIP, & peace to you & all of his family, friends, & dogs.

[Honeycombe8]

65. I'm so sorry. How awful. At least he died in his sleep, so that is something.

Not much, but something. I'm so sorry.