Sad News: Bruce Dorskind Died

[slidekellyslide]

Originally Posted by Leon

I had a mixed, strange relationship with Bruce as the moderator of the board. Whenever the other 3 moderators and myself would discuss Bruce, and discuss his membership after an escapade, it was usually 3 to 1, with me being the 1 that wanted to keep him on the board. Yet, Bruce usually looked at me as a foe, I wasn't. I was usually on his side, though admittedly it was tough sometimes. I am happy to say Bruce was in good standing on the board up to his day of passing. What an interesting character he was. He was certainly one of the most knowledgeable people in the hobby pertaining to the history of the hobby. We'll miss you Bruce. My condolences to Barry, Corey, other friends and family. RIP Bruces

Ha! Yes, I can vouch for those votes...interesting talks those were. I'm glad that his last few posts to the board were not bomb throwing debacles.

Here's the Bruce I wish we all could have known

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nx4eV...KjP9w&index=79

[Al C.risafulli]

The only time I met Bruce in person was at a dinner at Rob Lifson's; I sat in a room with Bruce and Jay Miller and just quietly listened to their conversation, marveling at how much knowledge Bruce had about hobby history. He was a virtual encyclopedia of early collectors.

We corresponded via email several times and he was always cordial, despite the fact that we did not always see eye to eye on the board.

Sad news to read this morning, coming back from the National. Condolences to his family.

-Al

[jp1216]

Dan,
Nice youtube find. RIP Bruce.

[barrysloate]

Originally Posted by Al C.risafulli

The only time I met Bruce in person was at a dinner at Rob Lifson's; I sat in a room with Bruce and Jay Miller and just quietly listened to their conversation, marveling at how much knowledge Bruce had about hobby history. He was a virtual encyclopedia of early collectors.

We corresponded via email several times and he was always cordial, despite the fact that we did not always see eye to eye on the board.

Sad news to read this morning, coming back from the National. Condolences to his family.

-Al

That was a nice evening Al. I remember it well.

[canjond]

Very sad news. I had the pleasure of having lunch/dinner with Bruce on many occasions here in NYC. As others have mentioned, his real life persona was very different (IMO) than his online persona, and I always found him to be a nice guy with incredible baseball knowledge.

RIP

[sando69]

always felt that bruce was a much different individual than the persona he portrayed on this board.
i am truly sorry that i never got to meet nor speak with bruce.
my sincerest condolences for our loss.

[Rich Klein]

that I can remember and he was nothing like he posted on the board. He was passionate and wanted the best items and nothing wrong with that such as Mr. Kendrick's collection.

But the funniest story I have on Bruce is I once posted, hey I miss Bruce's posts and it turned out at literally THAT Very minute I posted, he was being reinstated. Leon still thinks I talked to the other mods but no -- that was just a pure accident of timing

Will avoid anythikng negative, since he can not defend himself any more and anything bad to say would be a real cheap shot

Rich

[Exhibitman]

I am truly sorry that so many people here are experiencing loss. I grieve with you as your friend. For my part, however, I will not miss this person. His behavior towards me was deplorable, his private communications were on the razor's edge between laughable and disturbing, and his fatwas directed at me and so many others here were public, frequent and venomous. "Such antics do not amount to a man." Henry V (3.2.28)

[MVSNYC]

Wow. My best to his family.

I too broke bread with him at a few of our NYC Dinners. In person he seemed like a nice guy with tons of knowledge and passion for the hobby.

RIP Bruce

[vintagechris]

I had wondered about his recent health when he sold the Boston Garter piece. I always enjoyed his posts when he kept it just about the cards. One of the great older collectors who had been around awhile and had great hobby knowledge.

[7nohitter]

Great youtube video...the Boston Garter story was very interesting!

RIP to Bruce.

[joeadcock]

I also had no idea he was ill. Did one smooth transaction with him a few years back.
Sorry to hear of this. I also enjoyed his posts.

[GasHouseGang]

Originally Posted by slidekellyslide

Ha! Yes, I can vouch for those votes...interesting talks those were. I'm glad that his last few posts to the board were not bomb throwing debacles.

Here's the Bruce I wish we all could have known

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nx4eV...KjP9w&index=79

Thanks for posting that video Dan. It was interesting to finally see what Bruce looked like and to see part of his collection. RIP Bruce.

[philliesphan]

I'm really sad to hear of Bruce's passing. He was indeed a polarizing character, but his knowledge was amazing. He also was a key contributor to the hobby at a time when information was scarcer, and research and connections were laborious to establish.

I was fortunate to add a piece from Bruce's collection to my collection 2-3 years ago. It's one of those unique pieces that can be traced back to Tigar, and will likely remain in my collection until I stop collecting.

Rest in Peace, Bruce.

[oldjudge]

I have at tear in my eye this morning. Bruce was one of a kind. He believed what he believed and was not easily swayed from those views, but he was smart, and passionate, and I will miss him. One of the best cards in my collection came from Bruce and that is a card I will never get rid of and I will always think of Bruce when I see it. Rest in peace my friend.

[chris6net]

I met Bruce a few times and always considered him a friend. I already miss you but know you are in a better place.
RIP my friend!

[nolemmings]

RIP. Solace and calm to those he left behind.

[BradH]

I had never met Bruce until we literally bumped into each other a couple months ago in New York. As I turned and said, "excuse me," I immediately recognized him and his voice from the video Dan posted earlier, which I'd watched a few years ago.

He was pleasant and seemed flattered that I had recognized him. I walked away from that chance encounter thinking that this was a guy who had made a fascinating collecting journey throughout his life, but it was sad that the abrasive nature of some of his posts had perhaps made him a little bit misunderstood.

Rest in peace, Bruce. You'll be missed.

[sbfinley]

It's interesting to hear about the other side of Bruce. I never met him nor did I have any dealings him so the only Bruce I knew was the cartoonish figure that he sometimes played here, and boy did he play it well. Honestly, to hear that it was more act than reality is fitting closure. 62 is too young. My condolences to his friends and family and R.I.P.

[ethicsprof]

my condolences to family and friends.
no matter what occurs here and there on this board, it is always sad
to lose one of our own.
rest in peace, bruce.

barry

[WhenItWasAHobby]

Originally Posted by ethicsprof

my condolences to family and friends.
no matter what occurs here and there on this board, it is always sad
to lose one of our own.
rest in peace, bruce.

barry

Well said and I echo your words and thoughts regarding Bruce.

[barrysloate]

I am really happy to see the outpouring of kind words on this thread. I posted it with a bit of trepidation this morning, knowing there were many who Bruce fought with on the board. But everyone is stepping up to the plate for him and I think that's great. He was a very bright person with a tremendous amount of hobby knowledge. He just didn't always seem to get along with everyone. What can you do.

Let me share a memory, hopefully others will have some too. Bruce was always very generous handing out tickets to baseball games, as he typically bought season tickets every year. In 1988 (I realize now I met him before 1990) he took me to one of the Mets-Dodgers playoff games at Shea Stadium. It was Game 4, a 12 inning contest that went well past four hours. And during nearly the whole game, it was pouring rain. So here were the two of us, in cold October weather, sitting under two umbrellas, still getting soaking wet for more than four hours, watching a playoff game, talking baseball, and having a great time. That is a day I won't easily forget.

I'll miss you Bruce.

[bigtrain]

Sorry to hear of Bruce's passing. I enjoyed his posts and respected his passion for the hobby even though he insulted me on more than one occasion.

[botn]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

I am really happy to see the outpouring of kind words on this thread. I posted it with a bit of trepidation this morning, knowing there were many who Bruce fought with on the board. But everyone is stepping up to the plate for him and I think that's great. He was a very bright person with a tremendous amount of hobby knowledge. He just didn't always seem to get along with everyone. What can you do.

Barry, regardless of what took place with Bruce here on the board, in private emails and PMs, as was the case with me, it is safe to say that none of us wished for Bruce's demise. I am glad to hear from some who knew him outside of Net54 that he was nothing like how he came across on the board.

Greg

[spec]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

I am really happy to see the outpouring of kind words on this thread. I posted it with a bit of trepidation this morning, knowing there were many who Bruce fought with on the board. But everyone is stepping up to the plate for him and I think that's great. He was a very bright person with a tremendous amount of hobby knowledge. He just didn't always seem to get along with everyone. What can you do.

Let me share a memory, hopefully others will have some too. Bruce was always very generous handing out tickets to baseball games, as he typically bought season tickets every year. In 1988 (I realize now I met him before 1990) he took me to one of the Mets-Dodgers playoff games at Shea Stadium. It was Game 4, a 12 inning contest that went well past four hours. And during nearly the whole game, it was pouring rain. So here were the two of us, in cold October weather, sitting under two umbrellas, still getting soaking wet for more than four hours, watching a playoff game, talking baseball, and having a great time. That is a day I won't easily forget.
I'll miss you Bruce.

I first met Bruce back in the 70s, when we were both young men. We were both pursuing the George C. Miller set and battled to beat each other to any R300s at the Gallagher Bros. New York shows, which attracted dealers from throughout the Northeast back in the days before Nationals. We weren't exactly friendly rivals, but we learned to co-exist and actually made a few trades over the ensuing years. I didn't realize it at the time, but Bruce was ahead of his time. His aggressiveness and narrow focus on rarity and condition went against the emphasis on collegiality and completeness that had been the hobby norm. I always respected Bruce's passion for the hobby, however, and will miss receiving his annual World's Toughest Wantlist, which he mailed me every year. RIP, compadre!
Bob Richardson