Dear friends and fellow SO players,
Over the last few days a disturbing event has occured. Our friend and moderator Frank Neumann, Seifer, went missing, and is possibly dead (says some friends of his. A topic was written on the pixelmine/ ashen empires website suggesting a reason for his disipearence) This tragic affair happened sometime over the last few days. Toronto police has filed a report reguarding this matter.
We all hope for the best.
Please tell me you are joking.
No I am not joking. According to the Toronto police Frank is currently missing. According to his pals (some irl friends) at the forum for ashen empires, he killed himself. I greatly hope his friends are incorrect, but I don't know.
http://www.torontopolice.on.ca/newsreleases/release.php?id=23787
By the by, if this friends are incorrect (intentionally), that is beyond trolling. Aside from his friends, it would appear it is only a missing person report, not a suicide, or at least that's what I'm hoping.
Oh man, I really hope that what you say is not true. I haven't talked to him in a little while now, but that would be utterly tragic if he has really died. He has been with Stick Online for ages, and is one of the first people to ever really help me in moderation. He is a friend to many and a good guy. If anyone finds any more information on this please keep us posted. Really am hoping this all blows over. The report says he was last seen with a suitcase, so hopefully he just took off somewhere and will be back :(
Whoa... I hope he just ran away to clear his mind on some stuff in life.
Quoteand carrying a red/black backpack and a large red suitcase.
Perhaps that is the most logical explanation. Any news on this?
Quote from: Meiun on June 20, 2012, 01:00:46 PM
Oh man, I really hope that what you say is not true. I haven't talked to him in a little while now, but that would be utterly tragic if he has really died. He has been with Stick Online for ages, and is one of the first people to ever really help me in moderation. He is a friend to many and a good guy. If anyone finds any more information on this please keep us posted. Really am hoping this all blows over. The report says he was last seen with a suitcase, so hopefully he just took off somewhere and will be back :(
Yeah, hopefully he's just going off and starting a new life - seems a little odd, but that's what it looks like. Really, I suppose it's best not to speculate about it too much and just to hope & pray he's alright and he wasn't led to make any rash decisions - suicide is a terrible thing.
I tried to gain access to the Ashen Empires in order to ask the guy who started the topic what he's basing this off of since all I've been able to find is missing person reports from Toronto. Alas, their forum software is being rather... spiteful towards my attempts. Croz, can you do me a favor and ask him where he got this news from?
Here's what the guy said on the other forum.
(http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/8996/screenpic1.png)
I'm really hoping this isn't true. Suicide is a sad, terrible thing.
Quote from: Scotty on June 20, 2012, 01:14:42 PM
I tried to gain access to the Ashen Empires in order to ask the guy who started the topic what he's basing this off of since all I've been able to find is missing person reports from Toronto. Alas, their forum software is being rather... spiteful towards my attempts. Croz, can you do me a favor and ask him where he got this news from?
I'm getting SSL errors by simply trying to use their forum's search engine... Is that a game forum or am I on the wrong track?
I pretty much combed google for results, to no avail. All I'm getting are magic the gathering forums, where he didn't post anything other than trades etc. like a year ago.
Does he have a facebook account?
EDIT:
If I may request, can you, for the love of god, change the topic's name? Let's not speculate the worst-case scenario.
I have changed the topic title (I'm sorry) and contacted Dooman (a guildmate) by pm. I asked him if he knew seifer irl and if he was 100% sure on his statement.
The main reason why you guys can't register on the forum is the pixelmine launcher must be downloaded. The forum comes with the game.
Thank you.
I'm friends with him on Facebook. I checked his page from my phone, and I am pretty certain it is true... His page is covered with rest in peace posts and other things of a similar nature... I'm at work now, but I will try and post more when I'm home. Dear god this is a tragic turn of events :(
Just received word from Dooman. Im sad to say it is true. There has not been a press release, but a friend of seifer said he was found dead in a hotel room.
He was a nice guy, and its a real shame things came to this for him.
This is truly tragic. My thoughts and well wishes go to his family and friends.
I feel compelled to get this out there. For anyone who finds themselves in a similar situation, contemplating this sort of action, please do everyone that knows you the favor of reaching out and talk to someone. I've personally talked to two people in similar situations who were right there walking on the razors edge and I'm happy to say they're both happy now, married, even have kids.
I'm serious, if something is driving you to this point, get it out. Send me a PM, if you have me on WLM, Facebook, anywhere, get in touch with me, I'll give you my number, and we'll talk it over. Suicide is too... permanent of a solution to resolve anything, and the damages it causes are inconsiderate (to be polite). If you're afraid of backlash, internet trolls, overall insensitivity, I promise you won't find it here. It''ll be between you and me alone. At least give me or whomever you choose to talk to the benefit of the doubt and let us hear you out. Who knows, we might have the magic metaphorical light-switch within "arms reach". You won't know until you try.
I really only know Seifer for helping me get started in Ashen Empires (I no longer play it though), and I've seen him on Stick Online several times.
This is horrible news, indeed. I strongly believe that suicide doesn't solve anything, it only makes things worse for others.
Rest in peace, Seifer. It's a shame you had to leave this world in such a tragic way.
I left work a bit early today after hearing the news. Seifer had been around since the very beginning, and was a good friend to many of us. It's really tough to accept that someone so young, whom many of us have known such a long time is now gone. I will forever remember him for helping Stick Online become what many of us remember it as at its best. He was there through it all, and I know I will miss him very much. I've made a slightly more officia news post on the matter for those of you who are interested: http://www.stick-online.com/boards/index.php?topic=2629.msg55640#new
That's horrifying news...I wish I had gotten to known him better than I had. Just goes to show how life doesn't wait for you to get with the program, I guess.
RIP.
I'm really sorry to hear this news he was a great guy from what I know I never really talked to him much but he did all ways give me a hard time about my spire and bc so early in the game I wish him well in the next life rest in peace seif. And I was going to ask if we could do that statue thing or maybe all pitch in and get some so flower and a few pics of him and so sent to his grave he did a lot for this game
Wow thats terrible news for all his friends and family.
I didnt really know him that well but in-game he was a great guy and i'm sure he will be truely missed by all.
RIP Seifer :(
Also seeing Havoks post, maybe there could be a Statue in-game of Seifer. I'm sorry if thats something that will offened people but It could be a nice way for people to remember him.
Sorry again to all and I apologise to anyone that is offended by the idea. :(
And to think just a while ago I was playing Stick Online with him .. I never would of thought something like this would ever happen .. RIP.
Quote from: Tyco-RC on June 20, 2012, 04:19:32 PM
Wow thats terrible news for all his friends and family.
I didnt really know him that well but in-game he was a great guy and i'm sure he will be truely missed by all.
RIP Seifer :(
Also seeing Havoks post, maybe there could be a Statue in-game of Seifer. I'm sorry if thats something that will offened people but It could be a nice way for people to remember him.
Sorry again to all and I apologise to anyone that is offended by the idea. :(
Dustin maid a topic about and and said there would be in v3
Yeah, Dan just told me about it.
Sorry again to all.
:'(
This can't be true.. Suicide? He was on Teamspeak playing League of Legends with us just last month, always laughing and good spirited.. but.. if he went into a depression that would explain why I haven't seen him since then. !@#$..
I didn't know him too well nor talk to him often, but even then he had made an impression on me, I think that goes to show what kind of person Seifer was. We became friends when I noticed he often used the handle Hot-Soup, the nickname for a character in my favorite book Ender's Game. He taught me how to play Magic The Gathering, and I never once beat him. He turned me onto other epic book series like A Song of Ice and Fire, and The Wheel of Time; a series which both of us were excitedly awaiting the finale of..
Rest easy Frank.
Me and Seif may have had our disagreements in the past, but this, this is a horrible turn of events. I'm all for an in-game statue in his honor, and will sprite it, if need be.
RIP man, RIP. Wish you could have resolved things a better way. :-\
I am usually an observer of the forums rather than an avid poster but with a tragic situation like this I cannot stay mute.
RIP Seifer. I have only really talked to you a handful of times but you have always been an amazing GM and a huge part of this community. You will certainly be missed, man.
This is horrible. I'm speechless really. I didn't know him that much personally, but man he was such a cheerful guy. To tell the truth, he was the only GM that I exceptionally liked.
Farewell, the inventor of JesusCannon!
While our interaction was limited until recent months, I can say it was a pleasure to chat with you over Skype or Scott's Teamspeak and play League of Legends and Minecraft together. You always had a very peculiarly genuine personality that is not often found in people, especially over the internet. It's been a privilege to know and play with you man. Those countless times you ulted me with Shen will not be forgotten. :) I'm very sorry things turned out the way they did, and only wish you had said something and I would have gladly helped. You will forever be in my thoughts, rest in peace big guy.
-Ben
He was really an important part of this game, and this game was part of my life growing up. It might sound ridiculous, but I think a part of my childhood goes with him. He'll be missed.
man this really makes me sad, i didnt know the guy but he always seemed to be a nice dude. may he rest in peace :'(
Wow, just got home from work to see this. It's probably easy to say this, as someone who's never been through a depression that would make me ever consider suicide, but I wish people would talk to someone.. anyone.. before deciding on this. I didn't know him extremely well, but it always saddens me to hear news like this as too many young people end their life before it has barely started. I've had to see way too many friends go through the aftermath of their friend/family member committing suicide and it is heartbreaking. My sympathies go to his family and close friends, because they're the ones who are going to have to be strong now.
Anyways, I hope he's found some peace.
He was a great friend, of the most genuine kind. My regards to his family and loved ones. I wish I would've been able to lend my hand.
Take care man, I'll miss you. You were the epitome of a compassionate human being.
Damn.
I always saw him on MSN - talked to him on a few occasions, mostly related to SO... but not anytime recently. :/
He was a really cool guy, I really enjoyed my interactions with him.
Rest in peace.
Oh god, this is awful news.
I remember going through the old evaluations to join the Shadies, and he was totally down for letting me in, saying that I was pretty damn good and he wanted me in the Shadies. It was awesome to hear, and he was an awesome guy overall. I think I can speak on behalf of everybody in the Shady Gang (who all seem to have disappeared except for a small few that still linger around and post here and there, myself included in the latter description) that he was a damn great clan leader, and we will all miss him greatly.
I would also like to suggest we have a mini-event memorial service for him right here on the donor server, which will include the revealing of his statue/monument of rememberance. Finally, I'd like to request that anybody who is still in contact with any of the old Shady Gang members that no longer post or visit the forum frequently, to pass the news to them, and if such an event happens, to notify them of its happening so that they can attend. I know I'll be there, donning my Shady hat in rememberance of the top Shady boss.
Rest in peace, Seif. I'm sure you're keeping it real up above just as well as you have been down here. We'll miss ya, buddy.
Sad to see something like this happen; I did not talk to him outside the game, but when he was online he was friendly and helpful to players around him.
Rest in peace, Seifer. :'(
I didn't really know Frank that well, but he always seemed like an amazing guy. I've played stick online for awhile now and he's always been around it seems like. Its hard to imagine the game without him being there. My thoughts are with his family and close friends. Rest is peace man.
..
what
I do not believe this, but as most posts lead his certain death to be true, I cannot say much, this is really upsetting and unfortunate. I remember talking to him often about his gm weapon and remaking it and making a new animation for it as well as planning it for the next game as well.. but .. man... this just totally puts me at a loss for words.
Terrible news and a tragic way to leave. I personally didn't know him well, and rarely spoke to him, but judging by what others have said, he was a great man and he always seemed to be friendly and nice. My heart goes out to his family and friends.
Rest in peace Frank.
I never really spoke with Seifer, but seeing this did make me very upset. Its terrible knowing someone from this community that feels so close as to a family to some people went to these lengths to put his problems behind him. As scott said earlier, this is a very unfortunante way to deal with things, and there are lots of people out there that can help and talk you throught everything. I'm very sorry to hear this has happened to a valued member of this community, Frank was a great person and I do wish I got to experience talking to him. My best wishes go out to Frank's family and friends. I do feel terribly sick to my stomach and upset that this has happened. We will all miss you Frank, you where a beloved member of this community. I hope somehwere up there you have found your peace and are at peace. Rest in peace Frank. You will not be forgotten.
This is absolutely devastating.
Seifer was a really great guy and it is truly sad to see him go, especially like this. I actually knew a guy, only 17 years old, who committed suicide at the end of last year and I have seen the impact it can have on both those close to him and those who had never even met him.
I would love to reiterate what Scotty said. Suicide is a much too drastic measure to take, I don't think there could be any time in which suicide is a good solution.
My prayers are with his friends and family. R.I.P
This is the closest I've had to a friend taking their life, and it's heart wrenching. It's sad to see one of our great members leave us forever.
Very sad and shocking news! I just had to comment in this topic to show respect.
I remember talking to him on stick-online many times about him trying to have the "perfect build", we would have many long discussions. He seemed like such a nice guy, we have indeed lost a valuable member and GM R.I.P Seifer.
- Joel
I haven't really interacted with this community much lately, but I still check the forums occasionally to see what's up, and I must say I am incredibly shocked to hear about this.
Though I barely spoke with him directly, I kinda felt like I knew him due to how active he was. Like many others have said, he really was a great, and important part of the community, and it is very sad to see something like this happen. I hope all those who were affected by his passing can emotionally recover.
Rest in peace, Seifer.
Certainly tragic news to hear someone taking their life. I myself have lost a friend this way. My grandfather took his life when my mom was only 17. It really has tremendous effect on close ones. I never really got to know Seifer, but I did talk to him a few times in-game. I never had any problem with him and he seemed to have an all around good personality about him. I wish people would reach out to others before making such a terrible decision. But, it is what it is and all that can be said now is Rest In Peace. :'(
This is crazy I can't even believe it. I've known Seifer for something like 7 years. RIP buddy you will be missed
Rest in peace Seifer. Very sorry to hear this.
R.I.P Galactic President Superstar McAwesomeville
(His custom title on the forums)
Rest in peace Seifer. You will be truly missed
That is so unbelievable, R.I.P. Frank!
Anyone else looking forward to that random post by Seifer letting us know it was all just a twisted social experiment?
Quote from: Scotty on June 21, 2012, 06:25:17 PM
Anyone else looking forward to that random post by Seifer letting us know it was all just a twisted social experiment?
I was. I saw that you posted, and I misread it as Seifer, and relief rushed through me :/
Even though I never met Seifer in person, he was always pretty nice to me, and he was very respectable. I've been here for so long, the community is kind of like a family to me, and it truly saddens me to see him go..
Quote from: Scotty on June 21, 2012, 06:25:17 PM
Anyone else looking forward to that random post by Seifer letting us know it was all just a twisted social experiment?
I hope deeply to see a post written in red text, the way Seifer always did. And I'm sure the rest of the community would aswell. But for now Rest in peace Seif :'(
Quote from: Scotty on June 21, 2012, 06:25:17 PM
Anyone else looking forward to that random post by Seifer letting us know it was all just a twisted social experiment?
I wish man :-\ At this point I wouldn't even be mad or upset honestly, I'd just be happy to know he was ok.
On another note, I can relate a lot to what Hikarikuen said earlier with this post:
Quote from: Hikarikuen on June 20, 2012, 06:16:59 PM
He was really an important part of this game, and this game was part of my life growing up. It might sound ridiculous, but I think a part of my childhood goes with him. He'll be missed.
Quote from: Snakeman on June 20, 2012, 11:02:22 PM
I would also like to suggest we have a mini-event memorial service for him right here on the donor server, which will include the revealing of his statue/monument of rememberance. Finally, I'd like to request that anybody who is still in contact with any of the old Shady Gang members that no longer post or visit the forum frequently, to pass the news to them, and if such an event happens, to notify them of its happening so that they can attend. I know I'll be there, donning my Shady hat in rememberance of the top Shady boss.
Rest in peace, Seif. I'm sure you're keeping it real up above just as well as you have been down here. We'll miss ya, buddy.
I was actually planning on doing the statue for V3. I want it to be something that will really live on into the future and be able to be noted and respected by many. On that note though, I was also considering perhaps doing some sort of annual tournament/event in his honour (perhaps could be a V2 and V3 thing, not sure yet).
Would it be weird to suggest an in game funeral? No spawn parties or anything like that, but maybe everyone could wear shady hats and have like a moment of silence or something. IDK just a suggestion.
RIP Seifer :,( didn't know you much but you seemed cool to talk to. Sorry had to end like this. RIP
RIP Frank, I don't know you very well. I knew you well enough that your a good guy, great gamer, and is very friendly!
I can't believe this happened! You will be missed dearly!
For the people out there going through the same situation, please talk to someone before thinking of doing something like he did.
RIP Seifer, Frank!
Ditto for what hikari posted/meiun quoted. SO was the first MMO I've ever played, and it's what got me into the bigger MMOs. But even after I stopped playing I still logged on to talk to people, and now log on the forums to still see how everyone is. I've known everyone for so long, and SO has been part of my life so long that when something like this happens a little part of your childhood kinda does feel like it dies. I started playing SO, what... 9 years ago now?
Just goes to show you people will care about you when you're gone and do care about you when you're alive, even when you feel like you're all alone. Look at how many people said they've talked to frank justa a few times and yet it still effects the whole community. The people who say "if I died no one would even care" are severely wrong.
http://www.youtube.com/embed/69I_rNX3ZdQ
The lyrics basically somes it up of how i feel (seconds half of the song) :/
R.I.P. Seifer
Im so sorry to hear, Seifer always seemed to be the guy that would help someone if they needed it. I only wish he would of asked for help.
Rest in peace seifer. You will be missed.
omg noo... Seifer was an awesome guy... Rest in peace! he will be missed.
V3 Default text color should be red.
Hi all, you don't know me at all, but I was requested to inform you guys of the little I do know regarding Frank.
Frank and me had become fairly good friends over in Ashen Empires within the last year, I can't say as I really knew him prior to that, but we wound up being good friends.
On Friday, June 15th at 11PM, he sent me a private message indicating he was going to commit suicide. [message removed]
I did not check the forums for 4 days after that, not until the 19th at 2 PM. I debated what to do for a while.... was he reaching out? Had he not followed through? Surely he couldn't have actually followed through with it. After tracking him down on facebook, finding a handful of phone numbers for him(All disconnected), contacting previous places of employment, all with no luck. I then contacted the police, who I have been in contact with 3 times since.
It became clear though, nobody had seen him online since before he sent that message to me. I didn't see activity on his fb wall, he hadn't been ingame for 5 days (Extremely unusual).
On the 19th, at about 7 PM. His facebook wall became absolutely filled with 'RIP Frank', over 50 people posting within a couple of hours. My friend who noticed it (As I was not fb friends with Frank) contacted one of his IRL friends, who had hung out with him just a couple of days prior to it happening. he said that even IRL, nothing seemed different.
[message removed]
I believe the reason behind no official press is because the police are still investigating what exactly the 'insane shit' could possibly have been to drive him to suicide.
So, to summarize :
June 14th - Last seen online in AshenEmpires
June 15th, 11 PM - Sent suicide letter to me.
June 16th, 6:45 PM - Last seen IRL (From the police report)
June 18th - Missing Persons report filed
June 19th, 2 PM - Suicide note found by me. 4 PM - Police contacted
June 19th, some point in the early evening - Franks body was found. (I can only assume they contacted his family, which is how it got out to all his friends on facebook).
We still await the press release 'confirmation'. But it would be an absolute miracle for this information to not be accurate. The only thing now, is for the police to finish their investigation in to what could have caused this tragic incident.
One last thing, should he have indicated ANYTHING to anyone about what transpired in the days leading up to the 15th. Please contact me at mr.dooman@gmail.com - I will provide you with the constables e-mail who is dealing with this incident.
Sincerely,
Thomas (Aka Dooman)
Quote from: Dooman on June 22, 2012, 04:07:05 PM
Hi all, you don't know me at all, but I was requested to inform you guys of the little I do know regarding Frank.
Frank and me had become fairly good friends over in Ashen Empires within the last year, I can't say as I really knew him prior to that, but we wound up being good friends.
On Friday, June 15th at 11PM, he sent me a private message indicating he was going to commit suicide. [message removed]
That was all the relevant information it contained.
I did not check the forums for 4 days after that, not until the 19th at 2 PM. I debated what to do for a while.... was he reaching out? Had he not followed through? Surely he couldn't have actually followed through with it. After tracking him down on facebook, finding a handful of phone numbers for him(All disconnected), contacting previous places of employment, all with no luck. I then contacted the police, who I have been in contact with 3 times since.
It became clear though, nobody had seen him online since before he sent that message to me. I didn't see activity on his fb wall, he hadn't been ingame for 5 days (Extremely unusual).
On the 19th, at about 7 PM. His facebook wall became absolutely filled with 'RIP Frank', over 50 people posting within a couple of hours. My friend who noticed it (As I was not fb friends with Frank) contacted one of his IRL friends, who had hung out with him just a couple of days prior to it happening. he said that even IRL, nothing seemed different.
[message removed]
I believe the reason behind no official press is because the police are still investigating what exactly the 'insane shit' could possibly have been to drive him to suicide.
So, to summarize :
June 14th - Last seen online in AshenEmpires
June 15th, 11 PM - Sent suicide letter to me.
June 16th, 6:45 PM - Last seen IRL (From the police report)
June 18th - Missing Persons report filed
June 19th, 2 PM - Suicide note found by me. 4 PM - Police contacted
June 19th, some point in the early evening - Franks body was found. (I can only assume they contacted his family, which is how it got out to all his friends on facebook).
We still await the press release 'confirmation'. But it would be an absolute miracle for this information to not be accurate. The only thing now, is for the police to finish their investigation in to what could have caused this tragic incident.
One last thing, should he have indicated ANYTHING to anyone about what transpired in the days leading up to the 15th. Please contact me at mr.dooman@gmail.com - I will provide you with the constables e-mail who is dealing with this incident.
Sincerely,
Thomas (Aka Dooman)
thank you do much for the update and I'm sorry you lost a good friend we all did
Thanks for cluing us in Thomas, we really appreciate you reaching out to us. As you can probably tell we're all rattled pretty good by this. I can imagine not many of us either encounter these tragedies very often to know how to react, or knew Seifer closely enough to be there when he needed us the most. You may try PM'ing Meiun (see page 1 for his initial post) who would be capable of sending out a forum wide email asking for help from the community, as there are many people who have once signed up on this forum who are no longer active, maybe one of them may have details to help bring closure to this.
I'm sorry this happened to your friend. He was a good man and although not all of us saw eye to eye with him at certain times (myself included), we all respected him, and he us. We all wish the same thing, to find out he went to go polar bear sledding up north, or anything other than what we've been told thus far.
Best of luck, and thank you for your due diligence in helping law enforcement, family, and friends, I personally wish I could do more for you.
When i saw this i couldn't believe it, i was crying for a while, Seifer was a good man and he help me at bandit
So Rest in peace Seifer, I will always remember you :'(
i edited a few small bits of the message from doomman out, as much as i dislike having to do anything of that sort. I remember seeing his family rather upset when someone posted details regarding how he had died and such on his facebook (due to how public it was). So I only feel its right to follow their wishes here too seeing as this is even more public.
Oh my... My condolences to his family and loved ones. Frank is a great guy, it is unfortunate that he was going through such a rough time. May he rest in piece now.
Regarding the press release on his death.. I'm not sure how they go about these things in Canada, but I know here they do not announce suicides publicly unless it's someone jumping off a bridge/running into traffic (because then it's already pretty public and stopping traffic...). Out of the 5 people I've known who have committed suicide, none were made public. Although Frank had a missing persons report on him, so I'm not sure how they deal with that one. Let people keep looking, or report he's no longer a missing person?
Thank you for the update though.
No worries about editing my post. I was just going for full disclosure.
To anyone who wants to leave some kind words for him, theirs a facebook page set to commemorate him:
http://www.facebook.com/groups/258661664238977/
Quote from: Dooman on June 22, 2012, 09:40:37 PM
No worries about editing my post. I was just going for full disclosure.
To anyone who wants to leave some kind words for him, theirs a facebook page set to commemorate him:
http://www.facebook.com/groups/258661664238977/
Thank you. I appreciate your taking the time to keep us all informed. As was said earlier, Frank has been a valued member and moderator/GM for this community and game for many many years. He will absolutely not be forgotten. As far as i'm concerned, he will always be an honorary GM here.
Wow, I hadn't visited the forums for a while and really haven't spoken to the guy in years, but as I was reading through the posts I realized how truly tragic this has been. I was hoping to read somewhere that he had been found alive in some hotel in a nearby city or that the posts were fake or something besides the fact that he had been found dead... This is truly heartbreaking, as even though I didn't know him too well, I never remember disliking the guy and I know he was a good man. It always seems to happen like this, virtually no signs or warning and then one day something triggers it. RIP Frank, you will be missed by many.
dude this is !@#$in rediculous man.. he was the coolest person on sticks. it was so hard tryin to hold back some tears but a few slipped out.... i dont get what was happening i wish he talked to somebody he didnt deserve this at all. i dont want to believe this its too much to handle.... are they sure and did they find him? wow though man i miss you even though never actually met you other than the game but i love you seifz ill always remembr you dude
A friend of mine told me about the news, I had to come here and give my respects. Seifer was a really kind person, one that surely made the world a slightly better place. He will be sorely missed. There's not much else to say, I can only hope to hold on to his memory, as that is all that remains of him now. Let us make room in our thoughts and hearts for him to live on.
This is terrible...I didn't really know Frank other than seeing him in game a few times. God bless his family, who knows how hard this is for them. I really wish it wouldn't have ended like this, he had so much of his life ahead of him. I just really hope that if anyone else is going through something that hard in their lives, just remember, we all care and don't want it to come to this. My prayers go out to his friends and family.
RIP Seifer :'(
Oh my.. I've been at work for the past four days. Come home to find this. I can't believe it wasn't that long ago we were on Teamspeak joking around, helping defend how to properly pronounce Seifer, and just flat out having an all around good time destructively obliterating Minecraft. He was a good friend, and a fellow Canadian. He will never be forgotten, and always missed. Here's hoping they still serve maple syrup, our nasty Canadian beer and play hockey wherever you are Seifer. Have a good one mate.
And to the rest of you, never forget that the community is here for you. I will always have your back, and wouldn't doubt for a second that everyone else will too.
My condolences to his friends and family.
I've played many other online games, but the Stick Online community is the only one that has a place in my heart. Even though we're only an online community, we have always been a rather small and close community. Losing Seifer will leave a hole. He will definitely be missed.
Quote from: Lingus on June 25, 2012, 08:40:22 PM
... Even though we're only an online community...
Was my BBQ'ing that bad? I like to think we had fun skiing too...
Quote from: Scotty on June 25, 2012, 10:12:21 PM
Quote from: Lingus on June 25, 2012, 08:40:22 PM
... Even though we're only an online community...
Was my BBQ'ing that bad? I like to think we had fun skiing too...
Feeling rejected much? ;D
I can't believe this happened. I didn't talk to Seifer much, but I read his posts and he never seemed to show anything like this about to happen. Even though I didn't really know him, it's still weird knowing what happened and that you won't see him again. It makes me a bit depressed...
The death of Seifer is definitely horrible. However, the impact he has made is huge. His death reminds us that we are more than just an online community. We are a family.
Seifer's death reminds us of how much we care about each other. This unfortunate incident has created a spark in all of us. I may not know most of you IRL, but I know that behind those words on a screen are real, individual Human beings.
Let's not only mourn Seifer's death, but let's rejoice the fact that we are here for each other. Out of all of the forums out there, the Stick Online Community has impacted me the most, and it's the only forum that I keep returning to. I've been on this community for over 5 years, and I don't regret any of it. I love you guys. You let a disgusting worm like me into your community, and that truly shows how much Humans care for each other.
Seifer will not be forgotten. While he is is not here physically, he will always have a place in our hearts. Three cheers for a great community.
~11clock
Quote from: Scotty on June 25, 2012, 10:12:21 PM
Quote from: Lingus on June 25, 2012, 08:40:22 PM
... Even though we're only an online community...
Was my BBQ'ing that bad? I like to think we had fun skiing too...
No, no, it's not like that. But actually, that's a good point. I can't say I have ever, or would ever, meet someone in person that I met on any other online community.
But seriously, everyone here, anyone who may be reading this: You are all part of something great, you all have someone here who you can go to for any reason, you all have someone here who will miss you if you go. Remember that.
Greetings.
My name is Kraig Halmer. I am not a member of Stick Online. Rather I was one of the closest people to Frank Neumann.
Today was his funeral in his home town of Goderich. There were not enough seats for everyone, more and more people showed up, no one had a true grasp on just how many people knew Frank.
I knew Frank and I can say for certain that we was proud to be a part of this community and he would be blushing by the words that you have all said. I knew he was a long member of Stick Online, as with all the other games. I told myself that after today, I would post on those forums his Eulogy that I and Brent Schmidt had the honor to give our closest friend.
(http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/334756_10151056294680033_962897149_o.jpg)
(( sadly I am unable to get a hold of the ministers speech, if I come across it, I will post it in an edit ))
----------------------------
((Kraig))
--
Frank had been the most amazing person that I've ever had to the chance to know. To many he had been a friend, those who knew him best, a brother and to an amazing mother, a son. His time with us had been short in contrast to the days that lay ahead and the wound that is open will one day heal and although it will never close it is how we honor Frank that will dictate the size and depth of the scar.
---
" What does one say?"
Thinking back on all the years that Frank and I shared together, its hard to recall any memory that is more important then another. They all merge into one long memory that forms a completed picture of his time with us. It's hard to choose one memory or story from another, they all flow into the next becoming an epic song.
----
Frank was an extremely smart and capable man with the ability to do anything. If ever he needed help with something he would not ask for help straight up. you had to figured it out. Frank knew I would do anything for him and that changed our friendship. It had been a few years back, he had been out of work for a short while and did not let anyone in on it. I had gotten wind of it. I woke him out of bed to ask him, why he hadn't said anything to me, why didn't he ask his friend for help or share with me his problems? .His eyes watered and he started to cry. up, and said that he didn't want to disappointed me. I was a bit taken back and asked why he would think that? and he said to me that I had become the closest thing to a father figure he could look up too.
That was when our friendship shifted. From being my closest friend to being my Son.. and even now I feel so strange saying those words. we were not blood, yet we had the strongest bond that two people could ever have and It was the biggest honor that I had ever been giving, second to being able to be here today to speak about him.
---
" How does one say goodbye? "
The last memory I share, is the last time that I had the privilege of seeing frank. Frank had agreed to drive me to the airport for a 5am flight back to base. The entire trip we made jokes on the road and i could see how pleased he was to show off his car to me. "Look at me" I could see in his eyes " I doing it, I'm going make you proud" they said to me. I didn't want that car ride to end. when we got to the airport we talked for awhile outside of his car. I was telling him to make sure he handed his application into London, I wanted to see him out there on the coast and I wait for the day I can see him in another fancy suit.He was just smiling and telling me not to worry. Then it came time to say goodbye. We hugged and I told him that I loved him, and he said it back and. we both had started to cry. it was evident that neither one of us wanted the other to go and painfully I turned and walked away.
That was the last time I saw him. My friend, my brother, my son.
"How does one say Goodbye" I had asked myself. How does one say goodbye to someone that had meant so much..
I think on it and I know that we both know the answer.
We already had.
We said it two months earlier and it was possible the best way we could have said goodbye.
So this is not farewell frank, this is till next we meet, when our words will be not " Goodbye " but " Hello ".
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((Brent))
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I met Frankie for the first time in the sixth grade, when I was ten years old. At the time Frankie was in the 5th grade and was shy awkward kid, much like me. 12 years, and more memories than I can count later, I stand here to speak about the life of my best friend and a wonderful man. For the last 12 years, he has been my rock, my brother and of course, my slightly annoyed but always obliging 24 hour tech support.
I think it?s important here to mention how I plan on going about this. About two years ago, in a conversation I remember quite well, me and Frankie discussed what we thought our funerals would look like. We wondered how people would remember us and what people would say when we were gone. Me and Frankie were inspired by a book we both love, a novel called Speaker for the Dead by Orson Scott Card which focuses around the life of a man who would speak at funerals and instead of speaking grandly about those he would speak for, would tell the truth about that person?s life. This was something that resonated with both of us, and we agreed that if either of us ever had the misfortune of having to speak at the others funeral, that we would take the same approach.
As a friend, Frankie was all that anyone could ask for. Beyond the 3 am calls begging for him to tell him some way to fix my always broken computer, he was always there for me any time I could ask for regardless of the circumstance and was more times than not my escape. There were points when we were both in school when we wouldn?t speak for weeks at a time, which for us was incredible... yet despite that, if I messaged him at 5 am asking if he had heard Coheed were releasing a new album, he would be sure to reply in a timely manner with the appropriate amount of excitement or to simply tell me as usual that I was way behind and that he had heard a week ago. He was also totally willing to indulge me in any of my crazy adventures and would happily come with me. At the age of 14, I thought it would be a great idea to trek across the country on a greyhound bus to visit one of our best friends, James, who had just moved away, and live with him for a few months. He never called me stupid or stopped to wonder what our parents would think, he just asked me when. 5 of my top 10 best memories all involve situations with Frankie, whether on a grand adventure to Neverender in New York or simply swimming in the lake at 2 am for no apparent reason. There will be times in all of your lives when you?ll meet people, whether they are lovers or friends or even family, who change your lives for the better in an irreversible way. The sort of people that despite the amount of time you spend with them you will never be able to forget. For me, Frankie was one of those people, and certainly to this point in my life has been the most significant one.
Though while Frankie was the best of friends, he wasn?t always the best son. Before he left my house for the final time, and before he received the news that would contribute to ending his life, we had a long conversation about his relationship with his lovely mother. He told me he was ashamed of the fact that he was still relying on her so much at the age of 21, and also of the fact that he was inept at expressing his love and care for his mom despite the fact that she was so good to him. It is a testament to Tara as a parent and as a person that she was so steadfast in her love for her son and that she continued until the end to be there for him. He would have wanted me to express how much he truly loved his mom, and how grateful he was for everything he did for her despite the fact that he often seemed to take it for granted. I can tell you now Tara that he never did, even if it didn?t always seem that way.
Frankie was a complicated man. To many who knew him superficially and only interacted with him in passing or because of circumstance I know he could at times seem cold and uncaring. But he really wasn?t. He simply didn?t have much time for pretense or etiquette. He often wished that people would interact with him in the same way he insisted on interacting with everyone else, with honesty and with purpose. He absolutely hated when people would dance around the truth, or exaggerate, and he was a terrible liar precisely because of the fact that he did it so infrequently. He would often tell people the things they didn?t want to hear, even if they were harmful or painful and if you asked him for his opinion, you had better be fully aware of what was coming your way because he wouldn?t mince words.
Throughout my time as Frankie?s best friend I?ve heard this quality of Frankie?s called many different things. People have called him tactless, cruel, cold, socially inept you name it. But he was only ever really being one thing: honest. I really cannot say I have ever, in my entire life met anyone who treated everyone the same the way Frankie did. I?ve never met anyone who was courageous enough to look bad to say whatever needed to be said the way he did. So if you asked me how Frankie treated people, there is only one way I could describe it, and that is with respect. The respect to not cloud relationships and words with the white lies and evasions we so causally resort to. And though it?s futile to think this, perhaps he was right when he constantly attested to how much better things would be if people just acted the way he did.
The circumstances in which Frankie leaves us are some of the saddest imaginable. Its especially a shame because he was finally turning a corner before everything came crashing down... He was planning on following in his big brother Kraig?s footsteps, who he respected more than anyone, and joining the Navy and eventually getting an education. I know it is heartwarming and at the same time somewhat frustrating for myself, and many others including Kraig and Tara to see all of the support that Frankie received after his death. Heartwarming to know he was as loved as he deserved to be, and frustrated because we will never know if he would have done what he has done had he known what we know now. But I take comfort in knowing that Frankie during his life touched so many people and will be remembered long after I?m gone as a wonderful and honest man.
In many ways this will be the only time I really get to say goodbye to you Frankie, and I wish it weren?t the case. I wish you could have known how much I loved you and how far I would have gone to keep you in this world by my side, and I can only hope you find the peace you?re looking for. I know Frankie will be remembered differently by many different people. Whether as a loving son, a steadfast friend, the guy who summarily executed all of his friends at bored games, who sucked at halo, or the kid who put far too much salt on his food or even the guy who had the audacity to tell you that you really did look fat in those jeans. But to me, I will always remember him as a true and honest person. Someone who taught me lessons about respect and dignity, and did so even when I didn?t want to hear them. But more than anything I?ll remember him as a brother lost to early from a world to cruel for him. A world undeserving of so pure a person, of so good a man, and so wonderful a friend. Neither of us cared much for religion or any concept of an afterlife, but brother wherever you are, save me a seat, because there is nowhere in the universe I?d rather be.
----------------------
Thank you all for the good memories that you made with him in this game. It really did mean a lot to him.
Thank you for taking the time to come here and share that with all of us and I'm sorry for your loss of such a close friend. Those were some great memories that although most of us didn't have with frank, we can sympathize.
Quote
There will be times in all of your lives when you?ll meet people, whether they are lovers or friends or even family, who change your lives for the better in an irreversible way. The sort of people that despite the amount of time you spend with them you will never be able to forget.
This is what I simply could not put into words. There are a select few people in my life that have had this effect on me, and even though my interactions with Frank were sparse, he was one of them. He got me reading again when I hadn't in years, and during a difficult time in my life when my father had just remarried, speaking with him about literature became one of the highlights that kept me from depression.
I believe Seifer would have been honored to have such amazing Speakers for the Dead as you and Brent, thank you so much for sharing that with us.
I think that was great. I love the Ender's Game referrence. I remember having a dicussion about the series a while back here on the forums.
Thank you very much for sharing that with us, Kraig. I know Frank meant just as much to this community as it did to him. It was an honor to have him as a part of the staff for as long as we did. I also know that his memory will most certainly live on with us all. The game wouldn't have turned out the same if it weren't for him, and the new upcoming one wouldn't either. So as far as I'm concerned, his influence on Stick Online will continue to live on as well.
I just saw this today & I don't know what to say, so I drew a picture...
(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/10818266/Stick%20Online/Seifer%20Statue.png)
Oh my god Hijoke, that's wonderful, ahahaha. I'm sure Seifer is laughing wherever he is. Thank you for that XD.
Goodbye seifer hope your in a better place :( may you be remembered as the memories of you come to me..
I felt obliged to post to you because you always seemed like an nice guy R.i.p
(http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj99/picnum/000000000002.png)
(http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj99/picnum/00000000000.png)
your Hyperion and slasher
(http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj99/picnum/Seifersinven.png)
That's... All my support goes to his family. RIP Seifer...
I barely knew him from back in the day, and only played with him infrequently on SO2 but he always came off as very cool-headed individual and a nice guy to talk to. I'm very sorry for your loss.
I haven't been a part of SO for a long time but I come back here every once in awhile over the years to check up on things. I just checked today to read about this tragedy. :'(
Seifer was one of the great pillars of this community and for as long as I can remember there being a SO I remember Seifer. What has happened pulls on the strings of my heart. I barely knew Seifer personally but I know his impact on this entire community was significant.
I sit here and struggle to cope with the reality of this tragedy and pray that he can be at peace now and give my condolences and best wishes for those that were close to him.
RIP my friend. I haven't had the pleasure of too many experiences with him but all that I have had the pleasure of having were certainly enjoyable. He was about as cool and level headed as you could get from what I had gathered and to find such a horrible thing has happened to him is indeed painful. I struggled with depression for a good while and contemplated suicide for a long time. My problem was that I basically tried to destroy all of my social life by removing myself from friends and family and isolating myself inside my head. I felt like the future was something that I had no intentions of dealing with and a futile effort.
Thankfully with the help of some friends I was able to be helped back upon my feet and able to look at life with a new perspective that if I wanted something to change that I could. I only wish that frank had the pleasure of a new outlook on life.
As Scotty mentioned before, please do not let yourself feel like you have nobody in the world to turn to. Try and reach out, it may be scary and you may feel like its pointless but trust me, reaching out is the single greatest thing you can do.
RIP. I knew him a little bit, we spoke a few times outside of the game and i was very saddened to learn of his passing, he was a good man, a great loss to the community. =[ im not good with things like this so ill keep it short...