Rob Retz (abuell) R.I.P.

Pistareen · May 20, 2004 2:52PM

A sad note:

Rob Retz, an Oregon numismatist and colonial specialist who posted here under the name abuell, has succumbed to a lengthy bout with cancer at the age of only 56. For those of you who never had a chance to meet Rob, he was a spitfire and a ton of fun to be around -- never bashful, highly opinionated, extremely knowledgeable, and truly kindhearted. He had unsurpassed knowledge of Fugio cents and left behind a nearly complete manuscript that will soon be published as a new standard reference on the series. He shared information generously and faced his fate bravely. I saw him for the last time at last November's C4 convention -- I'm glad we got a chance to have some lunch.

I knew him for ten years or more. Many folks knew him longer, and we'll all miss him.

John K.

ss350camaro · May 20, 2004 2:56PM

Where in Oregon did he live ?

richbeat · May 20, 2004 2:56PM

Sad to hear. My condolences to his family and friends.

K6AZ · May 20, 2004 2:59PM

That's too bad. I know he was knowledgable in Colonials and used to read his posts about them. Seems like we've lost a lot of coin people lately, hope that trend doesn't continue.

Coin Finder · May 20, 2004 3:12PM

Rob was a great guy! He helped me ID a fugio once on the spot at a Coin Show in Oregon. He had strong feelings about Kessler and Newman. He also did many show displays and has one heck of a collection. I am glad he got his knowledge down on paper. I think it will be used for many years to come by those who follow. Fugios are a great way to collect early americana copper. Everyone should own one in their collection. These predate the Chain Cent!!

He will be missed.

Tbig

XpipedreamR · May 20, 2004 3:26PM

<< <i>Sad to hear. My condolences to his family and friends.

>>

Ditto

Placid · May 20, 2004 3:43PM

I wondered why didn't post here anymore.

Baley · May 20, 2004 3:58PM

Sorry to hear of Rob's passing, always enjoyed his posts and insights; he will be missed.

RIP Rob, condolences to his family and friends

ms70 · May 20, 2004 4:01PM

I'm very sorry to hear this. I remember him posting here. Prayers sent for him & his family.

ms70 · May 20, 2004 4:06PM

In his honor, here is his post from the thread titled "Explain your handle".

abuell

Veteran

Posts: 825
Joined: Apr 2001

Abel Buell (1742-1822) sunk the dies for both the Fugio copper coinage of 1787 and many of the the Connecticut coppers that were struck along side the Fugios at the Broome & Platt store in New Haven, Connecticut. He was also a pioneer American silversmith, engraver, engineer and type founder. He developed the process of creating dies from a complex hub, employing this process in the creation of the dies for the 1786 dated Connecticut coppers - a feat the would not be duplicated even by the US mint for over 50 years.

relayer · May 20, 2004 4:15PM

I remember him being knowledgable in his posts.

ElectricEye · May 20, 2004 7:05PM

sorry to hear ~~~

merz2 · May 20, 2004 7:12PM

I am always saddened by the loss of a true collector/numismatist.My deepest condolences.

kranky · May 20, 2004 8:52PM

Oh, this is very sad news.

I had the pleasure of exchanging PMs with Rob on the subject of Fugios. And it was only last December that he sent me a contemporary counterfeit Seated half as a prize for correctly guessing a Fugio attribution. He had mentioned his illness a few months before that but said things were under control.

He said this in my first PM from him in 2001: I have been collecting for the last 15 years and for the last 7 have been engaged in an extensive research project on Fugio coppers with the goal of producing a reference work on the series. You are free to ask me any questions that you may have except 'When is the book coming out'!

Rob, it's a shame you didn't get to see the book through, and I wish I could have had the chance to meet you in person.

My sincere condolences to Rob's family and friends.

darktone · May 20, 2004 9:04PM

He will be missed

. mike

dorkkarl · May 20, 2004 9:19PM

stunningly bad news. yes i knew him as a c-4 member as well, had heard he was'nt doing that well. practically encyclopedic knowledge of fugio's....

i am shocked by the awful news, out of silent respect for Mr. Retz, this will be my only post for the day, maybe for a while. the numismatic community has lost an important member.

may he R.I.P.

K S

jonesy · May 20, 2004 9:21PM

EvilMCT · May 20, 2004 9:27PM

A true loss, he will be missed.

Ken

Dennis88 · May 20, 2004 9:36PM

May he Rest In Peace...

FC57Coins · May 20, 2004 9:42PM

My condolences to his family and friends

razorface1027 · May 20, 2004 9:44PM

My sincere condolences to his family and friends in this forum.

LanLord · May 20, 2004 9:52PM

My sincerest condolences to his family and friends.

RBB617 · May 20, 2004 10:03PM

Although I never had any direct communication with Rob, I certainly read his posts. You could tell that he had a real passion for the hobby and I thought that was great. I'll miss his postings.

JoyofCollecting · May 20, 2004 10:07PM

I'll miss his posts and enthusiasm. My sincere condolences to his family.

rkfish · May 20, 2004 10:29PM

My sincere condolences to his family and friends.....may they all be in our prayers.

cladking · May 20, 2004 10:41PM

This is very sad news. He will be missed.

Thanks for letting us know.

Bustman · May 20, 2004 10:57PM

Much, much, too young! I am sorry to hear the news.

Lakesammman · May 20, 2004 10:58PM

Thanks for the notice.

CarlWohlforth · May 20, 2004 11:01PM

I am saddened to learn of Rob's passing. My condolences to his family.

Shamika · May 20, 2004 11:39PM

Tragic to die at such a yound age.

Askari · May 20, 2004 11:50PM

Thanks for letting us know the sad news, John.

Rob was indeed a "numismatist" in the finest sense of the word. I can remember teasing him once back in the "olde days" of this forum about being the "only known accumulator of Fugio cents" -- he really had a love for the series. I am glad he was nearly finished with his labor of love and that it will come out soon as a testimony to his delight in them. I pray he will be with God and God will make His comforting presence felt among his family.

EVillageProwler · May 20, 2004 11:55PM

Very sad. Condolences to his family and friends.

EVP

MacCrimmon · May 20, 2004 11:55PM

<< <i>Rob was a great guy! He helped me ID a fugio once on the spot >>

That's what I appreciate about these true numismatists. Their ability to not only peg the variety without sources but give you the die state too.

abuell, RIP.

Clankeye · May 21, 2004 12:53AM

Very sorry and sad to hear this.

Clankeye

LAWMAN · May 21, 2004 3:49AM

My sincere condolences to his family, those who knew him, and those who counted him as a friend. I enjoyed his posts very much and he was knowledgeable guy. 56 is too, too young. RIP

Stuart · May 21, 2004 3:56AM

I am very sorry to hear about this, and although I did not personally know Rob, I always enjoyed reading his posts.

My sincere condolences to his family & friends. I agree with Lawman that 56 is way too young -- as I now approach 49 years of age...

I wish his family & friends strength to get through this very difficult time.

JrGMan2004 · May 21, 2004 4:03AM

bennybravo · May 21, 2004 6:14AM

DHeath · May 21, 2004 6:21AM

That's terrible news, and I'm sorry for his family's loss.

boz · May 21, 2004 7:03AM

Damn it!
Why do these things gotta happen!
My prayers and condolences to his loved ones.

Damn it

66Tbird · May 21, 2004 7:38AM

tradedollarnut · May 21, 2004 7:51AM

Sorry to hear that...

MrDan · May 21, 2004 8:22AM

I'd like to offer my condolences as well.

CoinAddict · May 21, 2004 8:56AM

It is always sad to hear that we have lost a forum member. It is like we are all losing part of our family when we lose one of our own. My condolences to his family and friends. It is a sad day because of this loss.

lclugza · May 21, 2004 1:26PM

;

:

LucyBop · May 21, 2004 1:44PM

Such sad sad news.....

zenny · May 21, 2004 2:47PM

very sad news and a great loss to the numismatic community.

condolences to his family and friends.

z

Rob Retz (abuell) R.I.P.

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