Tortmaster with our mother in the Eighties
Today is Tortmaster's birthday. Yes, he was a Fourth of July baby. As some of you know, I am one of his younger sisters. On his birthday, I wanted to share with his friends that he loved so much here on Daily Kos, my love and respect for him, and just a little of what he meant to me through the years.
Not everyone perceives the same facets of a personality, and interactions between two individuals are uniquely their own, so this remembrance may be a little subjective. Even so, I think many of you who knew Tortmaster will have recognized some or all of the following qualities in him. He was so many things bundled up in an incredibly unique person.
Tortmaster (or Pab's, as he was called by me), was interested in people. He cared more about authenticity than status. And that is how he judged others. He was kind, and treated others with great respect, regardless of their position in society. And if someone did something kind to him, he remembered it, and would bring it up from time to time. He was also a wonderful friend and encourager. If he saw a buried talent in a friend (or one of his sisters), he encouraged them to hone and shine that talent. He certainly was my greatest supporter through the years in my hobbies and pursuits.
Tortmaster was generous with his money, resources, and time. I was proud that he would look for opportunities to help others so generously. He never regretted giving to a person on the street who asked for money. He knew the possibility was there that the recipient might misuse the gift, but he'd rather risk that than risk not giving to one who truly needed it.
Tortmaster wasn't perfect, of course, but he tried to be fair-minded, and he had a very strong sense of justice. This seeped into all areas of his life, including political activism. He loved being part of something bigger than himself, and to use his varied talents in worthy causes. He was proud to work with like-minded Kossacks to advocate for those who couldn't speak for themselves. He could get very angry if he saw someone taking advantage of another. In at least two cases that I know of, he physically placed himself in harm's way to rescue an individual who was being victimized.
Tortmaster was also private. He didn't talk much about himself. As mentioned above, he loved people, but he also enjoyed working alone on his many projects.
Tortmaster loved reading. His favorite author was--as many of you at Daily Kos know--Charles Dickens. He read all his works, both fiction and nonfiction, and he admired the empathy Dickens clearly felt for the poor and weak. Tort, himself, love to write--and was exceptionally good at it. He had his own style, and he shared his views and arguments with logic and clarity.
Tortmaster loved Art. Though he chose law rather than art in school, he absorbed Art Appreciation and Art History simply to satisfy his love of beauty. The Art Mysteries he published on Daily Kos are examples of both his love of art and writing. He spend much time researching and crafting the articles. Need I add how much he loved hosting many of the Daily Kos Art Expos? Y'all know it! He also enjoyed designing memes and other web craft, which included making videos. Tortmaster was exultant in all he was learning about that interest in the last couple years. My brother was, in fact, far more creative than he let on.
Tortmaster was a true minimalist. He cared little about what he wore (unless it was his Illini hat and sweatshirts!), or the furnishings in his living space. He cared far more about being true to his convictions then by what others thought of him.
Tortmaster enjoyed nature--mostly from indoors. My husband and I could never convince him to go camping with us, no matter how hard we tried. He'd had enough of that in the Army! He did however love hunting for shells on the beach. I will always treasure his lovely collection.
Tortmaster loved Illini Wrestling. He had been a wrestler himself in high school and as an undergraduate. He enjoyed interviewing Illini wrestlers, seeking to shine a spotlight on each talent he interviewed. He absolutely loved being a part of the Illini community.
Tortmaster was a ham! He was the Master of Ceremonies of many games that he either recreated, or created himself. He enjoyed getting together with the people he loved to laugh and share jokes and experiences. He was a big kid at heart, and a riot--his sharp wit kept us all in stitches.
Tortmaster loved his family. He was a wonderful son to our mother, and loved to help out his relatives. Pab's was there for me through my battles with cancer; bringing over food, or babysitting our dogs when my husband, John, and I had to be away for surgeries and appointments. From painting our porch to washing dishes, Pabs made our burdens lighter. I could always count on him. Our dogs, or doggo's, as he called them, always reserved an especially enthusiastic greeting just for him. After he moved to Illinois, he made it a point to stay connected by initiating Sunday evening Zoom meetings with our sister and me. He adored Leslie, and was proud of her achievements and her family. Our weekly Zooms could go on for a very long time as the three of us laughed, joked, and caught up from the week before.
Pabs was all these things and more to me. His unique life has profoundly impacted me, and I know many of you, dear friends. Tortmaster is, and will continue to be, deeply missed.
Cheers, (as Tortmaster would say) and Happy 4th to all!
Trot
