Terrible News: Jim Blumenthal Passed Away Last Night
 

Jim was battling cancer and passed away last night. He touched many lives and was a great friend and hobbyist. He will be sorely missed; the National won't be the same for me without him. RIP friend.

ETA: for anyone in the Portland area, there will be a memorial service at one of the colleges where he taught tonight at 7:30.

Maitripa College
Phone: 503-235-2477
Location: 1119 SE Market St.
(cross street SE 11th; 3 blocks south of Hawthorne)
Portland, Oregon 97214

Very sad to learn of this Adam. Just very sad.

oh man...how sad to hear...Jim was a good guy and had a great collection. My condolences and RIP Jim!

This is very sad news, had a wonderful time at the National talking with him...a truly genuine person and someone I really looked up to in the hobby. Thank you Jim for all your kind words and encouragement you sent my way...you will be missed.

Prayers go out to his family.

Unbelievable! Jim was one of the truly good guys on this board, and like Anthony a very young man, with a young child. Just awful and the second piece of terrible news this week. RIP Jim.

My thoughts and prayers are with his family-RIP Jim.

Very sad to hear this, Jim was a great guy and will be missed in the hobby.

Mere words can't describe Just How Kind Jim had Always been to me!
From the day that we became friends on the 54 He nurtured me iN Every Aspect of the Hobby! Jim had a Natural God Given Ability to Teach, even the like's of me...

I'm going to hit my knee's now... He Really meant a lot to me, As I'm Certain There are Many who feel this way !

A hobby Icon....
 

has been lost :eek:

Same here - a very wise and empathetic man who will be terribly missed.

I never met Jim but I would like to pass on my condolences to his family and friends. From the comments posted Jim sounds like someone I would have liked to have met and conversed with.

RIP Jim.

Great guy and fellow hobbyist. Very sad news.

Sad news of someone I've had many pleasant dealings with here. My sincere condolences to his family.

Very sad that we lost another great contributor to the board. Prayers said for his family.

What was his user id?

This is extremely sad. He was the first Net54 member that I ran into at my first National. His collection is unparalleled. May God bless and comfort his family and friends.

I think it was just JimB.

Wasn't it e93?

That is correct. Under E93 he wrote JimB. Sorry.

He will be dearly missed, and was one of the truly good guys in the hobby, and in life.

http://photos.imageevent.com/ltsgall...-mathewson.jpg

Thanks for confirming. What sad news. We made one trade in 2006 where I obtained a T213-2 Coupon Hughie Jennings. When I got that card in the mail from Jamie, I took it with me to the hospital where my wife was delivering our oldest. I have since sold my entire collection. However, I have held on to that T213-2 Jennings for my daughter. Jamie was a kind and spiritually sound person who drew much inspiration from Buddhism and the Dalai Lama and he will be missed.

I never met Jim, but he must have been a wonderful guy and helped a lot of you guys.

My sincere condolences to his family, prayers for them, and to all you gentlemen that counted him a pal. --Brian Powell

I'm pretty wrecked over this today; Jim was truly one of the best guys in the hobby. This is a huge loss for all of us.

At the same time, I'm thankful for the hobby today, because without it, I would have never had the awesome opportunity to meet him.

Condolences to his family, and best wishes for peace and strength.

So, so sorry.

-Al

Jim was one of the best people in the hobby -- a truly gentle person, a scholar and someone whose happiness was contagious and made the world a better place.

Here's a story about Jim: http://liberalarts.oregonstate.edu/f...ere-hemisphere

And here are two stories written by Jim:

http://fpmt.org/mandala/archives/man...es-blumenthal/

http://fpmt.org/mandala/archives/man...ntal-activist/ -- (click on full PDF to read entirety).

And for all of us fellow collectors, here's Jim's 2008 PSA Award for Best Pre-War Vintage Set: http://www.psacard.com/Articles/Arti...egistry-awards -- (scroll down for Jim).

He will be missed by many, many people in his field of study, in our hobby and in life.

Robert S

A very sad day indeed. You will be missed, JimB.

Rest in Peace

-Turner Engle

He and I shared quite a few emails about signed T206 cards. He had this signed T206 Marquard that he sold to me about 5 years ago. Always quite pleasant to deal with. My condolences.

Oh man! Jim was such a great contributor to this board. I'm not a t206 guy, but I remember seeing his post with the 39 (or 40?) T206 backs all laid out together in perfect alignment. It was beautiful.

My thoughts are with his family at this time. It's a sad day indeed.

Sad news. Enjoyed Jim's commentary on all he collected and appreciated his different take on things with his love for Buddhism and the Dalai Lama as was discussed earlier. As a father to young children myself, that part gives me pause to be thankful for what I have today and say RIP to Jim and pray for those he left behind.

Saddest news I have heard in a very long time. Jim was a close hobby friend and one of the greatest people I have had the privilege of knowing. RIP my friend. You will not be forgotten.

Terribly sad news. Condolences to Jim's family. RIP Jim.

I found Jim to be a very interesting guy. For whatever reason I found it an odd juxtaposition that he could do things like translate for the Dalai Lama and collect baseball cards, too.

And he had great taste in cards. He and I had a couple of very nice email exchanges when he started to pursue Old Judges.

Very disheartening to have two young guys die over such a short period of time.

My regards to his family and friends. RIP.

“Let us try to recognize the precious nature of each day.”
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama

I heard about this yesterday & its just devastating.
Jim was battling cancer a few months after me and we spoke a couple of times and had such a great outlook on life.
He was going through all the bad stuff while I was recuperating and he did more to comfort me, then I did him.

I hope he's at peace, he will be missed.

can someone....
 

post Jim's back run? in his honor

Heartbreaking news. Had the privilege of meeting Jim at the National a few years ago. He was the kind of person that was always more interested in hearing about your finds and your cards than talking about his absolutely incredible world class card collection.

A true gentleman, scholar, and all around great person. We can all learn a lesson from Jim on how to be humble and treat other people.

RIP Jim.

jeff

http://i.imgur.com/yO9ruuw.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/aBLEKSm.jpg

So sad...Jim was a great collector and a fantastic person. Such a great loss. My condolences to his family, friends, and everyone who was ever touched by him. RIP Jim.

Joshua

Great, one of a kind guy.

What terrible news...two great guys in one week. RIP.

A kind soul and a kind heart. I hope he is at peace.

JimB
 

I'm sure I speak for Derek Grady as well when I say what a sad surprise this is. Jim was one of those guys I saw once a year at the National and it won't be the same.

Peace to all his friends and family.

Peter

Chris....
 

thank you sir

This year has been a rough one for me and this hobby. Earlier I lost a person who had a huge influence on my collecting when I was young Dan McKee Sr.

Now I have to say goodbye to one of my hobby friends Jim. I was lucky enough to become friends with Jim over the past few years. Jim was the definition of humble. He was a great person who made me enjoy this hobby even more. I will never forget the long telephone chats and late night auction closing talks. Jim was the kind of person who made you want to be a better person you can’t say that about many people today.

I admired Jim for who he was, and was lucky enough for Jim to consider me a friend. People always ask about those great hobby finds. Meeting Jim Blumenthal to me was one of my greatest hobby finds in 25+ years of collecting. He can never be replaced and the hobby has lost one of the greats.

Goodbye Jim.

So sad. One of the nicest guys I've met on this forum.

Jim was one of the best guys in the hobby...and in life. I had the pleasure of spending some time with him over the years...He was such an amazing person.

RIP Jim.

We miss you terribly already.

extreemly sad news
 

I have known Jim for about 20 years and worked on several projects and trades over the years. Only spent time with him in person at 3 Nationals - should have gone to more. Such a young man about the age of my son Chris. I am really sad. Farewell Jim, and very best wishes to your family. Peter

When I was a kid, my mother would be a pretty tough critic of those around her. She could point out the weaknesses of virtually anyone, but occasionally, very occasionally, she would get a small smile on her face and, gesturing to someone, say "He's a mensch." That was pretty high praise because to her a mensch was a person of integrity, a person of honor. She smiled because it was a pleasure to see someone like that. Unfortunately, in today's world fewer and fewer people fit that definition. However, Jim Blumenthal did, and with room to spare. He never had a bad word to say about anyone; he laughed easily and honestly. He was a brilliant man, a professor at Oregon State, a man whose diverse interests ran from religion, to the Grateful Dead, to baseball cards. He was a loving father to Ben, and to his new bride Tiffany, a loving husband. I am proud and honored that to me he was a friend. I'm shocked now, it all happened so quickly. My thoughts and prayers go out to Tiffany, Ben, Jim's parents and his family. To quote Jim's favorite group: All a friend can say is, "Ain't it a shame?"

Very sorry to hear of Jim's passing. We first crossed paths about 20 years back. Very interesting and knowledgable person to talk with. I'll think of him when I drive through Portland in a few weeks

My sincere condolences go out to his family, friends and loved ones.

Wonka.....
 

Well stated.....I know when talking with you how often you mentioned his name and admired him......when I heard this news instantly thought of you my friend....this is just terrible news:mad:

Story Time.

One day during my first National (actually first card show) as I am wandering row after row, in awe of all the cardboard, Jim hunts me down and says, "Come check this out". We zigzagged and chatted and ended up at an AHs booth. Jim talks to the rep and turns around and hands me a T206 Wagner,. First I had ever seen or held in person.

He heard I hadn't seen one and tracked me down in that massive room just to show me.

Thank you Jim, a truly awesome individual.

Sad news for sure. Prayers for his family and friends.

Very saddened to hear of James passing. A true gentleman in every sense of the word, always kind and caring. He used to live in the Southern California area long ago. My condolences to his friends and family. Rest in Peace.
Art M.

Hard for me to even know what to say. Just very saddened by Jim's passing. I've known Jim through the hobby for many years and we had a lot of common interests in and outside of the hobby. He was easily one of the nicest people I've ever met. And, also one of the most knowledgable while still being soft spoken and humble. He had the best eye for cards and loved to share his passion and advanced knowledge with other collectors. Jim would always get me excited about cards.

It's hard to believe I won't see Jim again at shows or read his posts on this board. I won't forget him.

Rob

Rest in peace Jim. Will miss him and he will not be forgotten.

I'm devastated by this news. Jim was a gentleman and a scholar. He will be sorely missed. Condolences to his family. Words are certainly failing me right now.

All the wonderful things said here just increases the sadness felt by people like me who didn't know Jim. So terrible. Rest in peace.

Wow another member and fellow hobbyist lost...so sad...my sincere condolences to his family and friends... RIP Jim... :(

Ricky Y

Very sad news, Jim was a pleasure to converse with, offered new theories, a true contributor to society. An amazing collection, amazing resource, a true gentleman. Among his many contributions, an article on N167 which featured his complete set, the only one in existence. Jim, you will be greatly missed. Condolences to all friends and family.

http://www.oldcardboard.com/misc/issue29/cover29.jpg

When someone passes away we tend to say positive, wonderful things. In Jim's case all these comments are rock-solid true. He was a happy serene soul. It was always nice to be in his company. My best Jim memory was sharing a seat on the bus from Rosemont to downtown Chicago during the 2008 National. We each had our iPhones loaded with our best cards and we shared our collections back and forth like two twelve year old kids. Jim's final image was his T206 Wagner. The man was greatness no matter how you sliced it. I am going to really miss him.

I was stunned to hear of Jim's passing earlier today.

Eight years ago, Jim contacted me regarding a bunch of T206 Southern Leaguer cards he needed for his set; and, we did
a nice deal. This was our 1st hobby transaction.

I'll recall an interesting experience at the last Baltimore National (2012) where I was checking out a really sharp-looking
1949 LEAF Joe DiMaggio card whose background color was Yellow (instead of Green). It was a potential purchase which I
jotted down in my notebook. Approx. an hour later, Jim tracks me down to ask me about a card at the Show that he was
quite interested in.

You guessed it....it was the same 1949 LEAF Joe D. card. Jim asked me several questions regarding this card. I answered
them. He graciously thanked me and departed. Later that evening at the Hilton Hotel he showed me this LEAF card. I can
still recall his enthusiasm regarding this acquisition.


GOD Bless Jim's soul....and, GOD Bless and Comfort Jim's family.



TED Z
.

I looked up to Jim as a person, he had such a good soul.

He is missed.

We will miss you my friend
 

Jim and I were Facebook friends so I have received many pictures and tributes on my timeline from his friends around the world. I've met a lot of great people who collect cards, most of them are on this forum, but no one was a more peaceful and gentle soul than Jim. I will always remember his quiet smile and will always regret not accepting his invitation to come see him the next time I was in Oregon.
There's always so much time left to do that, I thought, and now he's gone forever. I am so sad.

One of my favorite people, in the hobby and out. Sad day.

JimB
 

My first friend in the hobby over a decade ago will be sorely missed.
One of the truly great scholars and translators in Buddhist studies who remained my dear friend over these many years.
There are no words to express the depth of loss.
May you rest in deepest peace and bliss, Professor.

my sincerest sympathy to family,friends,colleagues,students,and many others
he has touched,

Barry

I was talking to Jim once at a National and we got around to a person we knew who eagerly burns down every bridge he sees. He hesitated and said, "probably not a Buddhist", then cracked up. I use that line all the time now. I'll miss him.

Bill

I never knew or met Jim, but I have long been aware aware that he had a fabulous collection. Now, I know that Jim was even more fabulous as a human being. RIP, Jim.
Val

Didn't know Jim was sick - such sad news - I believe he was only 43 or so. My condolences to his family.

My condolences.

When I first saw this thread and the name Jim B, I was not sure if this was the person I was thinking of, but it is. This is very unfortunate and almost feels surprising.

I feel fortunate enough to have met him during the Southern California Card Show last summer. My Dad and I set up some T206 cards and when he came over to us he was so engaging. I realized he was the person who posted the epic T206 backs collection on this forum some time ago. He was very kind to my Dad and I, and so very interesting. You do not meet a Buddhist everyday. I am pretty sure he was the only guy in the room that day that had convinced a gorgeous woman to attend a baseball card show with him, but perhaps my memory is a bit sketchy in this area.

I am especially sorry for those of you who had an actual relationship with him. He seems like he would have been a very awesome, enlightening person to spend time with.

My Dads words of wisdom to me on this one: "He is a Buddhist. He is in a very good place."

I am sorry guys. Cherish the memories!

Rest in Peace Jim.

So it's the morning after we got this terrible news and I can't get Jim's passing out of mind. He was only a casual friend, and we never met in person. But I had so much respect for him. He chose to devote his life to the study of Buddhism, and this garnered my strongest admiration. What a wonderful calling indeed.

And what an amazing collection he had. A complete N167 set- how did he do it? A T206 Wagner, a Ty Cobb back, a virtually mint E93 set? And it went on and on and on. We sometimes teased Jim about it: did the Dalai Lama collect baseball cards? Aren't Buddhists supposed to relinquish all their worldly possessions? But he was a good sport and surely recognized the humor in it.

I know very little about Buddhism, but I do know that part of its teaching is to prepare oneself for death, to recognize its inevitability and to see it as the final step of life's very long journey. I'm certain he reached this ultimate state as he took his last breath.

I truly believe he is in a better place. I only regret that I didn't get to know him a little better.

Right Barry...I totally concur. Didn't he just post his t206 back run a few weeks ago, too? What an interesting guy he was...it's been a rough few weeks stretch.

I was thinking the same thing Pete. Wasn't Jim posting on the board as recently as a week ago?

Barry and Pete
 

Well said, Barry.

These are the last two posts by Jim......


9/27



9/29

Great loss
 

My prayers go out to Jim's family and friends.

Although I wasn't fortunate to have ever met Jim, I will miss his contributions to the community.

I do, however, remember Jim's kind words when I posted that I was happy to have picked up an E90-1 Lou Criger that another hobby legend, Lionel Carter once owned. I just changed my avatar to that card to honor Jim's memory.

Patrick

Thanks Ted. So it really was only about a week ago. How sad.

RIP Jim.

I never got a chance to meet him or speak with him, but based on all the great posts from board members, he seemed like a true gentleman.

He'll be sorely missed!

Tony

God Bless Jim and his Family

Speaking of Jim's recent posts, on 9/28 he responded to Josh Evan's recovery thread as follows.

This is really sad. He was one of the nicest guys on this board. Just a really wonderful human being.

He got a kick out of the attached picture.

http://www.net54baseball.com/attachm...1&d=1412866990