Silicon Investor - Ad Astra - An open Memorial for fallen SI members

[Alan Smithee] Stan, thank you for posting this. I counted Mary as not just one of my best fri...

Alan Smithee — 5/1/2026 10:53:45 AM

Stan, thank you for posting this.

I counted Mary as not just one of my best friends on SI but one of my best friends, period.

She led an amazing life that ranged from being a member of the US Ski Team, to being a screenwriter on shows like Gunsmoke, to being a corporate executive, to being an editor of books and to delivering yachts from the east Coast to the West Coast through the Panama Canal. She was even arrested once in Colombia over some documentation issue.

All in all she was an amazing woman and a good friend. She is sorely missed.

[Stan] It's been two years today since Mary Strobel (AKA Smoothsail) died. I still miss...

Stan — 5/1/2026 6:55:44 AM

It's been two years today since Mary Strobel (AKA Smoothsail) died. I still miss seeing her posts and our occasional PMs.

On this past April 7th I came across this New York Times daily word puzzle called Strands. The theme was 'Taking the Helm" and thought immediately of her when I solved the connected yellow letters which practically spelled her SI handle.

I wanted to make sure I posted it today on the second anniversary of her passing. I think it's a fitting tribute to her since words were her life in the publishing and film/TV business.

Edit: sorry can't seem to resize the pic.

[Cautious_Optimist] It's been many years since she and I shared PMs. She was positive intelligent a...

Cautious_Optimist — 4/14/2026 4:03:48 PM

It's been many years since she and I shared PMs. She was positive intelligent and well, just awesome.

I am sad to hear this.

[Sun Tzu] I had sever private conversation with her and found her to be very friendly and ...

Sun Tzu — 4/4/2026 9:44:46 PM

I had sever private conversation with her and found her to be very friendly and personable.
Sorry to hear about this.

[B.K.Myers] Out of curiosity I just tried to call her phone and it could not connect. Last t...

B.K.Myers — 4/4/2026 9:44:39 PM

Out of curiosity I just tried to call her phone and it could not connect. Last time that I spoke with her (about 2 yrs ago) she was in failing health.
FYI: Here is the last email that I received from her (I don't think she would mind me sharing). It is a response to my Happy Birthday email to her:

Thanks.

Good to hear from you. 93 today.
I want us to stay in touch. Ann OK and how are you doing in your new home ?

I am walking 20 minutes a day on treadmill. Not by choice. In 3rd year. Thanks for thinking of me.
Sent from my iPad

> On Mar 15, 2024

B.K.

[Ron] Multiple postings from friends on Facebook confirm it. The last email I got from...

Ron — 4/4/2026 9:10:10 PM

Multiple postings from friends on Facebook confirm it. The last email I got from her was 2019 and she was
cutting back on her activities at that time, and no longer owned the property in NC.

She was, overall a private person. But very vivacious and friendly in person.

[Sun Tzu] Is this for real?! She was one of the most honest and loving souls on SI. And th...

Sun Tzu — 4/4/2026 7:44:54 PM

Is this for real?!
She was one of the most honest and loving souls on SI.
And then I see this on the funeral site. How is this possible?

I'm asking for real, not rhetorical

No Guestbook entries found.

[abuelita] it's always nice to put a face to the voice/words even after the fact. thanks.

abuelita — 4/4/2026 4:34:57 PM

[EL KABONG!!!] For anyone wishing a visual view of Suma, facebook.com EK!!!

EL KABONG!!! — 4/4/2026 3:33:48 PM

[Ron] I met Mary Lou and her sister in the mountains of North Carolina, years ago, and...

Ron — 4/4/2026 3:17:12 PM

I met Mary Lou and her sister in the mountains of North Carolina, years ago, and had lunch with her.
A delightful charming lady. May she rest in peace.

[abuelita] very sorry to hear that news. thank you for letting us know.

abuelita — 4/4/2026 2:08:59 PM

[B.K.Myers] I haven't heard from Suma lately. I sent her an email on her birthday and did no...

B.K.Myers — 4/4/2026 2:05:28 PM

I haven't heard from Suma lately. I sent her an email on her birthday and did not receive a response, so I did some Internet searching and found:

swflfuneralcremation.com

It appears that Suma (Mary Louise Transue) died last year on May 8, 2025. She was a very charming lady and I had several phone conversations with her over the years. I loved her stories about sailing a sunfish from St. Thomas (USVI) to St. John (USVI). Gutsy open water sail for such a small sailing vessel.

Suma's SI Profile:

Member 1322287

B.K.

[Stan] That's good to hear! Thank you A.S.!

Stan — 3/19/2026 3:52:10 PM

[Alan Smithee] Stan, I’m in regular contact with her. She’s doing well. Just has stepped back...

Alan Smithee — 3/19/2026 11:16:39 AM

Stan, I’m in regular contact with her.

She’s doing well.

Just has stepped back some from online activity.

[Augustus Gloop] Alan Smithee would be the guy to talk to about Neeka

Augustus Gloop — 3/19/2026 10:28:04 AM

[Stan] I hate to light the Subjectmark up but has anyone heard from Neeka? It’s been mo...

Stan — 3/19/2026 10:09:52 AM

I hate to light the Subjectmark up but has anyone heard from Neeka? It’s been more than a year and a half since there’s been a post from her.

[Sun Tzu] So sad! I've spend few minutes on SI lately. This is going to stay with me for ...

Sun Tzu — 2/18/2026 10:53:08 AM

So sad! I've spend few minutes on SI lately.
This is going to stay with me for a while.
He had such a keen mind and was so good.

[robert b furman] That is such a large loss for SI. When Julius posted an article, it was always ...

robert b furman — 2/8/2026 11:21:58 PM

That is such a large loss for SI.

When Julius posted an article, it was always an intelligent gift to or community.

He never had a recommendation, but what he gave us was always leading edge info on our world growing and getting better.

Often, I would Thank Him for improving my awareness on a subject I never heard of.

He was a deep thinker and a class act to share his interests.

We have lost a great contributor.

My deepest respects for Julius and sympathies for his family for a huge loss.

RIP Julius and Thank You for years of sharing your deep intelligence.

Bob

[marcher] Very sad news. Will miss his tact and well-reasoned contributions. Time for a ...

marcher — 2/8/2026 4:21:39 PM

Very sad news. Will miss his tact and well-reasoned contributions. Time for a Buffalo Trace fare-thee-well in respect.

[Sam] So sorry to read that.... RIP

Sam — 2/8/2026 3:56:49 PM

[Kirk ©] Sad news. Thanks for checking into it. I enjoyed his selecting articles here Su...

Kirk © — 2/8/2026 11:01:12 AM

Sad news. Thanks for checking into it.

I enjoyed his selecting articles here Subject 55649

[isopatch] A good friend. Will miss him greatly. Isopatch

isopatch — 2/8/2026 10:26:07 AM

[Johnny Canuck] I am sorry to hear of his passing. He had such diverse interests and a disciplin...

Johnny Canuck — 2/8/2026 6:10:59 AM

I am sorry to hear of his passing. He had such diverse interests and a disciplined approach to trading.

Happy trails.

[EL KABONG!!!] Julius Wong: Member 1292993 Among many other interesting posts, Julius brought...

EL KABONG!!! — 2/8/2026 3:53:28 AM

Julius Wong:

Member 1292993

Among many other interesting posts, Julius brought the obituaries of the not-so-celebrated working people to the "Who Won't Be Down For Breakfast" Subject 51204 thread, people that had contributed major accomplishments with their lives in business and humanities... Julius will surely be missed. He was a one-of-a-kind contributor and came across as very well educated... Rest in Peace, Julius...

EK!!!

[Augustus Gloop] Could you provide a link to his profile? TIA

Augustus Gloop — 2/8/2026 3:28:23 AM

[nicewatch] His passing is a great loss to this site. Safe travels and RIP, Julius.

nicewatch — 2/8/2026 1:51:23 AM

[George Statham] Realized Julius hadn't recommended one of ReturntoSender's posts he usually reco...

George Statham — 2/8/2026 1:11:56 AM

Realized Julius hadn't recommended one of ReturntoSender's posts he usually recommends. So I saw he hadn't posted in a month. One of the very best on SI.

newcomerkentuckiana.com

[Jeffrey S. Mitchell] Eric's profile also says exactly were he was living at that time... and where he...

Jeffrey S. Mitchell — 1/13/2026 2:06:29 PM

Eric's profile also says exactly were he was living at that time... and where he went to school. But that's only relevant to being explicit about it here if he's no longer with us, of course.

- Jeff

[Savant] DG...Eric's home page says he is/was 79 when he filled out that form Silicon In...

Savant — 1/13/2026 12:09:51 PM

DG...Eric's home page says he is/was 79 when he filled out that form

Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

Don't know if he ever updated his age

[Don Green] Does anyone have any information about the health or well-being of Eric L.? Mem...

Don Green — 1/10/2026 5:21:54 PM

Does anyone have any information about the health or well-being of Eric L.? Member 4250315 last post 10-31-2023

I used to chat about technology with him, but I haven’t seen him post in quite a while. I remember he mentioned being in his mid-70s a few years back.

As a long-time member, I think it would be good for all of us to reach out and “check in on our neighbors” or PM friends to make sure they’re doing okay or just no longer post.

Don

[Heywood40] Fun fact... The 90+ people memorialized here are still listed as moderators on ...

Heywood40 — 1/7/2026 3:34:46 PM

Fun fact...

The 90+ people memorialized here are still listed as moderators on more than 500 different boards.

[Savant] Any news re: Paul Lee?... last post 2021 Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Int...

Savant — 12/25/2025 1:29:38 PM

Any news re: Paul Lee?... last post 2021

Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

Silver Bull Resources, Inc. Message Board - Msg: 33477502

[Augustus Gloop] No problem - everyone deserves a decent cyber sendoff

Augustus Gloop — 12/24/2025 2:29:05 PM

[pocotrader] Geeze I didn't know, I was wondering where he was, thanks for posting

pocotrader — 12/24/2025 1:52:55 PM

[robert b furman] Hi Alan, My bad. I got carried away on the old music,with quite a few musician...

robert b furman — 11/6/2025 8:32:53 AM

Hi Alan,

My bad.

I got carried away on the old music,with quite a few musicians that have gone the AD Astra way.

It was badly off topic.

Please excuse.

I do like Ad Astra for recognizing the very unique and friendly relationships we SI participants develop and benefit from.

Many of us have been here for decades, and yet I'm often amazed that I never had an encounter with so many others here at SI.

I have left instructions to my wife that when my time comes, to forward the info to Ad Astra.

End of my errant behavior.

Bob

[Alan Smithee] Bob, I like and respect you. But I’ll just highlight this from the thread heade...

Alan Smithee — 11/5/2025 7:44:43 PM

Bob, I like and respect you. But I’ll just highlight this from the thread header.

This thread is dedicated to the memory of all SI members that have passed away. We'll see you on the other side.

Why are we positing record and video reviews on this thread? There are other places to post such things.

Please, let’s turn the thread to what it was intended to be.

[Qone0] [youtube video]

Qone0 — 11/5/2025 11:11:30 AM

[Smart_Asset] I've been singing along with Jeff Lynne on "Rattled" for about 6 months. Love t...

Smart_Asset — 11/5/2025 10:33:09 AM

I've been singing along with Jeff Lynne on "Rattled" for about 6 months. Love the song, great lyrics and tone. Really enjoy Lynnes vocals along with Roy Orbison's trademark...gagagagagggg.

[robert b furman] Hi AJ, Petty had a great part, always loved his music. Bob

robert b furman — 11/5/2025 10:23:41 AM

[ajtj99] That's Jeff Lynne from ELO. He produced the group and contributed vocals and the...

ajtj99 — 11/5/2025 10:20:47 AM

That's Jeff Lynne from ELO. He produced the group and contributed vocals and the absolutely necessary eleventeenth rhythm guitar on all tracks.

[robert b furman] I recognized all of them except the man with the sunglasses and curly hair? Bob

robert b furman — 11/5/2025 10:18:11 AM

[Sun Tzu] That song is the unofficial anthem of this board Subject 60459 I think the band...

Sun Tzu — 11/5/2025 10:04:12 AM

That song is the unofficial anthem of this board Subject 60459

I think the band dissolved because members kept dying.

[robert b furman] Hi Sun, I had no idea of all the famous participants to that song. George has ...

robert b furman — 11/5/2025 9:59:44 AM

Hi Sun,

I had no idea of all the famous participants to that song.

George has been gone a long time already.

Bob

[Sun Tzu] I created the forum Subject 60459 You may want to reference it in the thread he...

Sun Tzu — 11/2/2025 1:05:03 AM

I created the forum Subject 60459

You may want to reference it in the thread header.

[Alan Smithee] Gus suggested, quire politely, that the chit chat would be better left to anothe...

Alan Smithee — 11/1/2025 10:20:02 PM

Gus suggested, quire politely, that the chit chat would be better left to another thread.

Yet it continues.

Please honor the intent of this thread and set up another thread to discuss these issues.

[S. maltophilia] Preferably someone well known around SI with a following. That's why I suggested...

S. maltophilia — 11/1/2025 7:14:46 PM

Preferably someone well known around SI with a following. That's why I suggested AG. Somebody who would draw posters to the new thread and unclutter the main one.

[Sun Tzu] Add this title to list of candidates: The Final Chapter - Musings about the end...

Sun Tzu — 11/1/2025 7:02:19 PM

Add this title to list of candidates:

The Final Chapter - Musings about the end of the line

[Jeffrey S. Mitchell] Gloop has already suggested he'd appreciate if someone else could make this happ...

Jeffrey S. Mitchell — 11/1/2025 6:48:57 PM

Gloop has already suggested he'd appreciate if someone else could make this happen... should they be so motivated. To make that a tad easier for whoever may wish to do so, here are some suggestions for what to name it:

The Long Sunset
The Final Countdown
The Great Beyond
Between Here and There
The Journey Home
The Departure Lounge
Dirt Naps

- Jeff

[SI Ron (Crazy Music Man)] Don't cremate, if you do I hope your name is not Earl Grey, as Captain Picard ma...

SI Ron (Crazy Music Man) — 10/31/2025 9:03:45 AM

Don't cremate, if you do I hope your name is not Earl Grey, as Captain Picard may drink you.

[S. maltophilia] A while back, you suggested moving the banter to one of the SI welcome threads. ...

S. maltophilia — 10/30/2025 9:40:37 PM

A while back, you suggested moving the banter to one of the SI welcome threads. How about setting up a companion board for chit-chat? And maybe link to it on the header to this thread. Maybe admin can migrate out of place posts to the appropriate thread.