lilo dead

Just now, after spending the day at my Cousin’s twin’s first birthday, I sat down and opened my laptop, and within 30 seconds, the following shows up:

(17:18:40) christel: (notice) [Global Notice] On the 12th September Rob Levin, known to many as Freenode’s lilo, was hit by a car while riding his bike. He suffered head injuries and passed away in hospital on the 16th. For more information please visit #freenode-announce

I joined the channel, as did too many other people to count.

It’s very weird when virtual people die. (People who you’ve known for years, but have never met in person.) One has to realize that they were real.

Someone said to /whois him, pointing out that he was in fact online:

Nick: lilo (identified) Away: Whoops, I’ve stepped away. For URGENT freenode help (channel flooding, trolling users, network problems or access issues), please email my pager at 4iiygyvs@freenode.net . It’s my job and I’m happy to respond. For ROUTINE issues, please see http://freenode.net/faq.shtml#gettinghelp …. Please take a look at my personal blog when you get a chance: http://spinhome.org1 …. Thanks!
Username: i=levin@freenode/staff/pdpc.levin Realname: Rob Levin Server: irc.freenode.net (http://freenode.net/)

652 people in room, and climbing.