RIP, Jim Ruddy & Support Stephen Hunt

[UPDATED – 7/29/14, 3:16am ET] – added update on Stephen Hunt

While not news to some in EMC circles, we lost a great human late Thursday night last week in a tragic accident – in the blink of an eye, a bright light snuffed out.  I got the call late Thursday, and it was like a hammer blow to the chest.

And while it really could have happened to anyone – and my sadness and sympathies go to all involved whose lives are irrevocably changed - it will redouble my fortitude to stand up try (even if in vain) to avoid any accident like that that I can in the future.

Jim was an absolutely epic guy.  He would always find a way to say yes, always find a way to do it with a smile – and on top of that all, absolutely brilliant.    He was also a knowledge sponge – rapidly picking up Analytics, PaaS, Hadoop. Openstack – well before anyone else – and with a joy of learning that was infectious.

It is truly a tragedy for everyone involved, and a reminder to all of us of the precious, and transient nature of life – and while we push/pull, struggle to move forward (which is human nature) – it was a reminder of what really matters.   I hugged my wife and children extra tightly this weekend.  Life is a beautiful thing, and we need to treasure it always.

Jim, I will miss you, and will always remember you!

Crystal Lowe has setup a fundraiser to help Jim’s wife and family move forward through what I can’t even imagine (thank you Crystal!). 

https://www.crowdrise.com/jimruddymemorialfund/fundraiser/crystallowe

For those who want to pay their respects to Jim, the Wake is from 4-8PM Wednesday at Spear Funeral Home 39 South Benson Rd, Fairfield, CT 06824. (just off the post rd by the Bobs shopping center). The Mass is at St Thomas Church 1719 Post Rd, Fairfield CT 06824 on Thursday at 10:00am.

To give you an idea of “who was Jim”, here are two sides of him: 1) In the picture below to the left, which is GeekWeek #1 – indoctrination for vSpecialists – Jim is in the front row to the left; 2) A more recent picture, and reflecting another side of the man, with his 3 month old son.  

Many of you have inquired about how Stephen Hunt is doing – the other friend in this terrible accident.   In short – not well.   He is very severe injuries, is currently in intensive care, sedated to reduce brain swelling.    He has a long road ahead of him, but we are his friends, and will support him and give him a shoulder to lean on as he moves down the path to recovery.   Like for Jim’s family, there is a Crowdrise fundraiser started to help Steve and his family, which you can find here (thank you Erin Banks for getting this started!):

https://www.crowdrise.com/stephenchuntfund/fundraiser/erinbanks

Take care of each other – all.

Comments

[Tony Vecchiolla]

Chad,

You never stop amazing me. Thank you for finding the words I could not. And to the family's involved, our family's thoughts and prayers are with you.

Tony V

[Carrie lewis]

Very sad, so sorry for the loss af such a beautiful friend and coworker!

[vTwindude]

😇 Ruddy we love you, brother! 😇 We miss you!

[smartha]

RIP Jim ... Stephen wishing you steady recovery bro