[Layback]

[RumiDude]

[Matt]

How about just letting each person tell their own experiences or feelings about Beckey? If people want to praise his accomplishments in glowing terms, then by all means let them do so. And if a different person wants to express their discomfort with some of his behavior, let them do so as well. Let each person name their own experience. Is it so hard to respect that someone may have a different opinion of Beckey's legacy, without resorting to criticisms, misquotes, name-calling, impugning someone's motives, hypothesizing political agendas, or demanding that someone be silent because someone else won't like it? Simply engage in civil discourse. Speak freely and proudly regarding your own feelings about Beckey's life. And allow other to do the same. And maybe, hopefully, when someone says something different from you, don't attack them, but listen and learn from each other. I know that's not how the internet usually works, but we could still try to do better.

[ozzy]

People are too goddamn sensitive these days! LMAO at some parts of this thread! I definitely have nothing but respect for said Dude! Never gonna give any of my CAGs up, if it werent for legends like Fred I'd be some sorry ass city boy. Would've love to meet you Mr. Beckey, this Rainier's for you! Cheers! Climb on friend!

[Randito]

Memorials are for the living, not the deceased. Speaking the truth of one's personal experience with the deceased is legitimate. I never met Fred, I benefited from his guide books.

[Tom_Sjolseth]

How about just stfu on a memorial thread if you don't have anything nice to say about the person. Family members of the deceased come here and read this crap. Have some respect. This isn't all about you. If that bothers you, :<removed by moderator> That includes YOU.

[Randito]

[RumiDude]

Chill out everyone, please! Rumi

[JonnyQuest]

I understand where you're coming from Tom, and realize the intent of the initial post was to pay tribute to Fred. And most all have. But this is a public forum, and as long as people follow the posting guidelines, they should be free to express their opinions, whether or not they align with the initial poster or the majority. We should all agree it's OK to disagree. That's the beauty of an uncensored (or reasonably censored) public forum. If the expectation was for a more controlled environment and message, a public forum might not have been the best medium. But my guess is that the feelings of some just caught others off guard.

[Matt]

[Tom]

Hope all can agree to disagree and revert to a sense of community. Good news is the calendar voting will start tonight.

[ozzy]

[Matt]

It's hard to imagine how someone's memory is honored by directing crude insults toward other members, even if it's couched in acronyms or ### marks. I think Beckey would be honored better by elevating the level of discourse.

[Mike Collins]

I had the pleasure of climbing with Fred in the Revelation Mountains north of Lake Clark National Park in Alaska later on in his climbing career. He was 80 years old at the time yet he faithfully shouldered his load as a team player. We flew with a ski-plane onto a glacier that had perhaps never been visited by climbers. He brought me into a spectacular mountainous area that I likely would never have visited. This is the remembrance that is boldly rooted in my mind. He brought me somewhere that I would not have been to otherwise. It is a a statement that is undoubtedly echoed by others when reflecting on his influence in their lives. I am forever thankful to him.

[MeganBond]

Fred Beckey died October of last year. The words "sexist" and "womanizer" were used in this forum's thread in the weeks following his death, to describe him. It was also alluded to on this thread that he treated women poorly. As his biographer, I am seeking information about him and various facets of his life and personality, and investigating if these descriptions are correct. I invite members of this forum - particularly those that have made such references or understand them to be accurate based on personal encounters - to please connect with me to share your story - or to pass on this request to others who might have a narrative of their own to discuss. Your anonymity, and theirs, is assured. Please contact me either through this board's message center, or at: mbondpauli(at)hotmail(dot)com. .......................... I would appreciate it if no derogatory statements about my request follow this post or be made on this forum. I invite you to contact me via private email should you have comments or questions. Thank you.