John writes:
I’m sure Vincent will tell all of you about the outpouring of support and condolences on Office Hours tonight, but if you have time in your busy schedules, I think it is worth taking a moment to view it.
Many showed up, regulars and more, and they all had incredibly kind words to say about your dear friend. Many, like me, associate his voice with a compassion and intelligence during difficult times and I’m sorry for your loss which you probably feel most directly.
Thank you all for every episode and effort you do to make such excellent programming happen every week, all of you have become very dear to your listeners and I hear you read letters to the show frequently acknowledging and thanking you, and it is because you make a difference and impact our lives for the better with education and intrigue that is nothing less than infectious when presented your way. Cheers and condolences
David Dunigan writes:
Dear TWiV,
I want to express my condolences to you and all of our colleagues around the world who lost a very special friend and brilliant mind, Dickson Despommier. His insights into virology were informed by his great understanding of biology and I will miss learning from him.
You are all in my thoughts as you move forward, and I thank you all for your generosity in sharing your insights and wisdom on this fascinating dimension of life that we love. Dickson’s joy was so apparent when you all discussed a new paper or finding. Let that joy wash over you in the coming difficult times. I know he is in your hearts.
With great respect,
D3
Rachel writes:
Dear TWiV Team,
I’m writing to express my deep condolences on the passing of Dr Despommier, my sympathies to all of you on the loss of a friend and long time colleague.
I’ve been listening to your podcast since September 2022 when I found it while studying an Open University course on Infectious Disease & Public Health. I’ve had a lifelong interest in the subject, since learning about the Great Plague of 1665 at Primary School in 1970’s Yorkshire (much to the bafflement of my family and friends).
Listening to your enthusiasm and deep knowledge of your subject matter is wonderful. My experience of the beginnings of the Covid pandemic were a complete mix of “well, this is quite terrifying / this is really very interesting”. I hear that mix in your discussions too and I 100% share it.
I hope that with everything that is going on in the US at the moment you are all coping OK. I’m so sorry at what is going on and I am horrified on a daily basis. Given that, and your bereavement I think you must all be feeling quite exhausted.
Please be assured that your work is hugely appreciated, not just in the US, the sane people absolutely value what you do. I will continue to listen and share what I learn with my friends and family. To give an example – I heard about the US licensing of the RSV vaccine on TWiV about a year before it came to the UK, so I was able to talk to my older family members about it, and encourage them to go and get vaccinated as soon as it became available here.
Please keep doing what you are doing, and take good care of yourselves.
Kind regards and warmest wishes,
Rachel
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
Gordon writes:
Hello Vincent and Daniel. I just listened to twiv 1192 and was saddened to hear that Dickson is no longer with us. I will miss his comments. My sincerest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.
Gordon
Annika writes:
Dear TWiV team,
I wanted to reach out to express my sadness and condolences at the news of Dickson’s passing.
Like many, I started listening to TWiV during the pandemic, and your clear communication, passion for accuracy and good science, and overall camaraderie kept me going through the confusion and uncertainty. Dickson was always a delight to listen to, full of cheer and expert insights. I appreciated the friendship and respect he and Vincent demonstrated every time, and I will sorely miss having his voice as part of the group.
For what it’s worth, I have written in to TWiV only twice before, and one of the times was simply to say that I enjoyed a joke Dickson had made on air.
Thank you again for everything you all do at TWiV, and I remain a loyal listener, especially in these times.
Best regards,
AL
Blair writes:
Dear Vincent and all
Hi from Porirua, New Zealand. Summertime causing some drought here.
I have not written before, though the odd easy throw on TWiP has tempted me, I’d be hard pressed to spell out my reasoning, an instead enjoy listening to the other offerings for the time being.
I write now to offer my very sad condolences to you all for the passing of Dickson. A great person gone, whose thoughts, stories and work I can still enjoy in part thanks to you.
I have not worked my way though the massive treasure of TWiPs and TWiVs that I discovered only last year. I’m a person of no special scientific education, but I often agree “I have learned a lot”, and enjoyed the exercise.
I rely on you for your honest discussion of the science, with an open critical appraisal of the methods and findings to present a balanced portrayal of truth according to the facts that can be observed and tested.
During this time when science has to stand up amidst liars and their lies, your work matters more than ever.
Thanks to all of you for your work, long may you continue.
Regards
Blair
Porirua
New Zealand
John writes:
Drs. TWiV incl Daniel:
I thought that 1192 was particularly good in being one that my less biomedically-oriented friends could get something from, and I’ve already recommended it to some of them.
But I had been thinking that it had been awhile since Dickson had been in an epitope. Looking back, it doesn’t seem possible that the last time was all the way back in late Sept (1151). I am so sorry. In looking for an obit, I was surprised to learn that he is considered the Father of Vertical Farming. Had I known that I would have mentioned the new vertical farm here in Greater Braddock in some of my letters. Sadly, it has already failed.
If the food crops that I have any close connection with – wheat & canola in North Dakota and chestnut trees here in PA lent themselves to vertical farming, I might have paid more attention to that effort, but like with so many things I figured that an opportunity would arise. When I went looking to find out more about what happened, I found this:
Also in this, serendipity appeared as it so often does, with this quote relevant to the National Amateur Hour that we find ourselves in, and which Daniel may like for his collection of quotes:
We don’t hire smart people and tell them what to do. We hire smart people so they can tell us what to do – Steven Jobs
Of course, this is relevant to that last letter in 1192 about the situation at CDC in Kansas City. I’ve written our new Carpetbagger Senator about JrK. Now I’ll write him about this.
Meanwhile, the lousy winter is scheduled to continue here with seven days of no temps above freezing from tomorrow afternoon.
All the best,
John
Gary writes:
Dear hosts of TWiV, TWIP and all of the Microbe TV group
I was saddened to read of Dickson’s death today. I have enjoyed him for years on TWIV, especially his stories, his humor and his political lampooning. He was dedicated to education and your show and has helped to get the scientific truths out there at a time when science is being so challenged. He will be truly missed.
My sincerest condolences to you all and may you carry on in his memory.
Gary
