We lost Robert L Davis this week, unexpectedly. I’m far too short on words today, so I’m going to borrow from Kendra Little:
Robert was that rare funny person who made jokes without malice. He had a super quick wit, and he could make a sharp joke about politics, but he was a very kind and ethical person.
…and others (below), and my own personal blog:
I lost a friend today – largely an online friend, but a GOOD friend and a kind man. Rob was smart, kind, and funny. He was a force to be reckoned with online: he would answer anyone any techie question. He supported my efforts, our company, and just about everyone on the side of what is good and right.
A lot of us that knew Rob are commiserating, grieving, together on Twitter. We talk about first meetings, notable moments. We joke, and laugh, and say, “Rob would totally get it.” And he would.
A family friend, I think, set up a GoFundMe for Rob’s widow Chrissy, and set a goal of $10,000. The goal was shattered in just two hours.
A lot of people loved this man.
Consider donating, yourself.
A few more things:
I'd like to point out that the $10K goal for @SQLSoldier was smashed in just 2hrs. But keep it coming guys, this is nothing compared to what they're going to face. https://t.co/83FZqF1z37
— Sean McCown (@KenpoDBA) April 3, 2018
I love 💕 that we are all stuffing the #sqlhelp hashtag with stories about @sqlsoldier. He would have said
“Please help us keep the sqlhelp hash tag open for Q&A only.”
𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐰𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐧𝐨𝐭.
Sorry, Robert.
— Karen López 💉💉❤️ (@datachick) April 4, 2018
#sqlfamily Please get some life insurance if you don't have any. Enough to pay off your mortgage and a year of income is probably a good number.
If you''re confused get an agent. I like NY Life. Term for most people. Whole life is a tax device if you already max out IRA & 401k
— Justin Dearing (@zippy1981) April 4, 2018
Search Twitter using "#sqlhelp from:sqlsoldier" to learn a ton of stuff about #SQLServer @SQLSoldier, what an amazing legacy. RIP my friend.
— Argenis Fernandez (@DBArgenis) April 4, 2018
It's a sad pity
To lose a friend who's so witty
Who helped in the forums
Around questions of quorum
In every search I would make@SQLSoldier's answers took the cake
He was smart & congenial
And never made anyone feel menial
He's loved & admired
A SQL spirit never retired— Theresa Iserman (@TheresaIserman) April 4, 2018
I keep hearing that same word, kind, again and again about @SQLSoldier. Damn right…we all noticed it.
My only comfort today is how many people share this loss…so many of us got to be in Rob's life, online or IRL or both.
— MidnightDBAAAAAHHHHHH!! (@MidnightDBA) April 3, 2018
Ever since the days of ‘putting a better server in production’ I’ve followed this community leader, it is truly a great loss. Just in October we had quick linkedin chats about security, and our continued mutual focus on SQL Server. Honestly, I’m still in shock. Lest we forget Master Davis!