So sad- As a long time reader of these forums I always enjoyed Bear's comments and his wit. He seemed to have a genuine love of collection and a love of life. I'm sorry I never got to meet him. RIP
Goodbye Abe. You really were a joy to talk to and have on this forum. Times like this always remind me of how much of a community this forum and the hobby are.
I went back and looked to see that I had exchanged 2173 PM's with Abe since May of 2003. His first pm to me was about a bust half. I directed him a website where he could find some information on a coin that was for sale from some other dealer. His response, reading it again, made me laugh. It read:
I am somewhat of a novice on this new fangled computor
Always good for some fun, he never seemed to take life too seriously and really really really loved coins. The only thing he seemed more passionate about was his family.
Like others mentioned, i also went and looked at the PMs I had exchanged with Abe. A class act. There is a lot to be said for a person who really channeled positive energy. I certainly learned from his example. Thanks Abe.
"Look up, old boy, and see what you get." -William Bonney.
Haven't posted to the forum for years now... and sad to hear of Bear's passing when I decided to drop in today. He was definitely a memorable member of the forum and will obviously be greatly missed.
I only knew "Bear" through his posts on this site, but I already miss him. I send my condolences to his family.
Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
I am willing to bet that Abe never had an enemy in his lifetime. Such a pleasure to know the wonderfully warm and kind Bear. Just read every single post, because these posts tell exactly how much Abe was repected and show great compassion for him.
My condolences to the family...and to the board. Things won't be the same around here. "He was a wise old bear!" I won't be able to hear that saying without thinking of him!
Very Sad. I exchanged a few PMs with him and found him to be warm, engaging and candid. One exchange was about whether it would make more sense to buy ten $1000 coins instead of one $10,000 coin for investment purposes. This lead to a discussion of coin quality at that price point. Since he never hesitated to share his ideas, here is his reply for the benefit of all:
Buying expensive coins in high grade is a totally different ball game.
Often the coins look nice, but the differences between a strong for
the grade coin and a weak for the grade coin can be rather subtle
and easy to miss, even for advanced collectors. While PCGS and
CAC are not above making grading errors, I have found
expensive coins, one has to be an idiot not to buy only PCGS CAC coins
and then have the coin pass your own review. I have found that when both
PCGS and CAC are on one coin, the coin is generaly a top of the line
coin and strong for the grade. Two of my coins that CAC did not approve
I strongly disagreed with, and so the coins remain in my collection. I do
not blindly follow CAC as some have suggested. I only follow, when I concur
with the decision, abet after some deep soul searching.. Regards, Abe
That is sad news to hear. I remember Bear's posts from when I was more active on the forum years ago. Always seemed able to say more than others, with far fewer words. That is my memory of Bear.
RIP Bear, Your wit and wisdom will be missed by all.
I used to be somebody, now I'm just a coin collector. Recipient of the coveted "You Suck" award, April 2009 for cherrypicking a 1833 CBHD LM-5, and April 2022 for a 1835 LM-12, and again in Aug 2012 for picking off a 1952 FS-902.
<< <i>Bear basicly told us this was coming and included us in all of his preparations. He sounded very happy with his preparations and as ready as one can be for the end. I hope I can go as gracefully. RIP to a great man. --jerry >>
I have to agree with this. I was thinking that their was a good reason for the legacy collection and he was either setting up his family with a nice asset or he was hoping to create an interest in coins in his kids or grandkids. Or maybe his kids were already interested but he wanted to leave some nice collectibles with them. Either way, I believe there was a purpose for his legacy collection and it's just a testament of how much he cared about his family and the hobby.
I also remember bear being the voice of peace even when others were firing harsh words back and forth.
RIP ol' bear. You left a veryt nice legacy for your family.
Whomever leaves a memory , indelible, positive, and inspirational, has lived a life worth living.......these tributes written here are testament that he did live that kind of life......RIP Bear....your Legacy is secure!
I wish I had been one of the fortunate to have met you, shared the joy of collecting, and enjoyed your humorous banter and wise words in person that so many here have shared with you.....
I too believe your avatar should be retired....God bless you and your family..... I just heard a bell ring.....a Bear got his wings!
Bear I'm really going to miss your wit and humor. This is truly a sad event for this board. Many prayers to your family. May they seek comfort in the many wonderful memories they hold. God bless and God speed old Bear.
Much sadness today upo reading this............. and my condolences go out to his wife and family.
But he lives on in the fond memories of everyone who has posted to these MULTIPLE pages worth of condolences already, and the hundreds of others whose lives he touched in a positive way.
The outpouring of grief says a lot for the person he was.............. RIP, Bear!
Comments
"Keep your malarkey filter in good operating order" -Walter Breen
I went back and looked to see that I had exchanged 2173 PM's with Abe since May of 2003. His first pm to me was about a bust half. I directed him a website where he could find some information on a coin that was for sale from some other dealer. His response, reading it again, made me laugh. It read:
I am somewhat of a novice on this new fangled computor
Always good for some fun, he never seemed to take life too seriously and really really really loved coins. The only thing he seemed more passionate about was his family.
Fair winds and following seas my friend...
siliconvalleycoins.com
He had class. Highly respected.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
RR
"Look up, old boy, and see what you get." -William Bonney.
RIP to our beloved Bear
RIP Bear.
Loves me some shiny!
I will surely miss him in this forum
- Jim
RIP Abe ... and may God be with you, your family and your friends
“We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”
Todd - BHNC #242
Whatever you are, be a good one. ---- Abraham Lincoln
Kewpie Doll award-10/29/2007
Successful BST transactions with Coinboy and Wondercoin.
Franklin-Lover's Forum
The next jelly donut is in his honor!
Prayers go out to his family
RIP bear.
Just read every single post, because these posts tell exactly how much Abe was repected and show great compassion for him.
RIP BEAR,
Paul
Tom
Buying expensive coins in high grade is a totally different ball game.
Often the coins look nice, but the differences between a strong for
the grade coin and a weak for the grade coin can be rather subtle
and easy to miss, even for advanced collectors. While PCGS and
CAC are not above making grading errors, I have found
expensive coins, one has to be an idiot not to buy only PCGS CAC coins
and then have the coin pass your own review. I have found that when both
PCGS and CAC are on one coin, the coin is generaly a top of the line
coin and strong for the grade. Two of my coins that CAC did not approve
I strongly disagreed with, and so the coins remain in my collection. I do
not blindly follow CAC as some have suggested. I only follow, when I concur
with the decision, abet after some deep soul searching.. Regards, Abe
Go BIG or GO HOME. ©Bill
I was surprised when I saw this thread. He will be missed.
Rest in peace Bear.
John
Your wit and wisdom will be missed by all.
Recipient of the coveted "You Suck" award, April 2009 for cherrypicking a 1833 CBHD LM-5, and April 2022 for a 1835 LM-12, and again in Aug 2012 for picking off a 1952 FS-902.
<< <i>Bear basicly told us this was coming and included us in all of his preparations. He sounded very happy with his preparations and as ready as one can be for the end. I hope I can go as gracefully. RIP to a great man. --jerry >>
I have to agree with this. I was thinking that their was a good reason for the legacy collection and he was either setting up his family with a nice asset or he was hoping to create an interest in coins in his kids or grandkids. Or maybe his kids were already interested but he wanted to leave some nice collectibles with them. Either way, I believe there was a purpose for his legacy collection and it's just a testament of how much he cared about his family and the hobby.
I also remember bear being the voice of peace even when others were firing harsh words back and forth.
RIP ol' bear. You left a veryt nice legacy for your family.
Positive BST Transactions (buyers and sellers): wondercoin, blu62vette, BAJJERFAN, privatecoin, blu62vette, AlanLastufka, privatecoin
#1 1951 Bowman Los Angeles Rams Team Set
#2 1980 Topps Los Angeles Rams Team Set
#8 (and climbing) 1972 Topps Los Angeles Rams Team Set
I wish I had been one of the fortunate to have met you, shared the joy of collecting, and enjoyed your humorous banter and wise words in person that so many here have shared with you.....
I too believe your avatar should be retired....God bless you and your family..... I just heard a bell ring.....a Bear got his wings!
Just...
Wow...
I loved his posts and comments. I loved his collection. I'm just very sad I'll never get to meet him. The best to his family
Successful Transactions With: JoeLewis, Mkman123, Harry779, Grote15, gdavis70, Kryptonitecomics
Dan
My thoughts and prayers to his family.
Loved our back and forths.
RIP
Bruce Scher
But he lives on in the fond memories of everyone who has posted to these MULTIPLE pages worth of condolences already, and the hundreds of others whose lives he touched in a positive way.
The outpouring of grief says a lot for the person he was.............. RIP, Bear!
- - Dave