Sargeant Passed Away Last Night

[HHADFan]

Sargeant's wife called this morning to tell me that Sargeant passed away last night. I don't have any details beyond that and they're not important. Either sand_dancer or I will post details about services at the temple.

Many here knew Sarge only by his inimitable posting style and refusal to back down from a debate. There was a lot more to Sarge than his posts on HHAD.

Sarge was a good cook and baker, accomplished builder, good gardener and loyal friend. He was a good husband and took care of his wife and her family.

Sarge made the most dramatic positive lifestyle change I've ever seen. I lived across the street from him for the last year, moving less than a month ago. He had maintained a healthy lifestyle and his only problem was smoking, which his wife kept limited to 12 or 15 cigarettes a day. He loved his wife, loved his life, and loved cycling around the area. That he passed away does not in any way negate the changes he made. He got almost three years of a happy, healthy life he would never have had otherwise.

Sarge and his wife bought some land about a year ago and his dream was to build a home upcountry. We had many discussions on design as the missus and I had recently purchased land as well and are planning to build next year.

Sarge loved Thailand more than anyone I've met, and had been involved with Thais and Thailand from well before he moved here in 1998. He never dreamed of going home because he was already home.

Sarge was the kind of friend you go to when the chips are down, and he would do the same - he was anything but a fair weather friend. He was capable of a level of introspection and self honesty that was surprising. He brought the same level of bluntness to personal discussion that he brought to the forum and expected the same in return. He could give advice and he could take it.

Sarge, I apologize for such a short obituary as I've never written one before. RIP mate, and I'll miss you one hell of a lot.

J

[Big Boy]

Thank you very much for letting us know. I was gob smacked when I read it. You just expect characters like Sarge to go on for ever. Despite our differences on the forum (and yes, he could be frustrating), I knew him outside of the forum as well.

His views outside of the forum were just as strong, but you could always tell that he believed everything he said with a passion. To those of you who knew the non-forum Sarge, I hope you will agree that deep down, he had a heart of gold, and would go out of his way to help you. He's helped my family on more than one occassion.

I never did get around to a cycle trip with him (my backside is not saddle shaped, and I just can't manage more than 10Km without tears coming to my eyes). RIP Dave, and we'll enjoy that bike ride in the sky one day.

[magobligin]

I only knew Sarge through this forum but I would like to take this opportunity to pass on my own and my family's condolences to his family on their sad loss.

Rest in Peace Sarge

[zeitgeist]

My condolences to his family.
RIP

[dtaai-maai]

Sarge, I apologize for such a short obituary as I've never written one before. RIP mate, and I'll miss you one hell of a lot.
J

They were good words. In spite of recent events, this comes as a shock.

If you're watching, Sarge...

I am very, very SORRY to hear this NEWS...

[Big Boy]

Thanks DM, that made me smile on a sad occassion.

[Norseman]

My sincere condolences goes to his wife, family and friends.
RIP Sarge.

[barry720]

R.I.P

[pharvey]

Sad news - R.I.P. Sarge.

Heartfelt sympathies to his family.

[Bristolian]

I also only knew Sarge through this forum. Sadly we never managed to meet up, although we had planned to meet for the first time, during the next few weeks.
Sarge will be sadly missed from this forum for his unique style and personality.
R.I.P Sarge.
Condolences to his family

[hhfarang]

I knew sarge as well as I know any expat I've met since moving to Hua Hin. We had a long time "meet up for beers and a chat" relationship until a few years ago when we had a disagreement I could not seem to overcome, but I was happy to hear of his new life with a new wife and his new happier prospects in Pranburi as well as his determination to overcome his long time heart problems.

As HHAD fan said, Sarge knew and loved Thailand and respected and defended the Thai people and their customs more than any other foreigner I've ever met here. Also as said, he would go out of his way any time to help anyone. He may have passed due to a bad heart but under that gruff imposing Royal Marine exterior, he was truly "Jai Dee".

R.I.P. Sarge

[richard]

I'm so shocked

Used to meet up for a few beers with HHF and put the world to rights

Despite our jousts on the forum I will sadly miss him and his posts. The forum will never be the same

RIP Sarge

[barrys]

That really is a shock!

I first met Sarge about 10 years ago when we lived near each other in HH and would bump into him at Tanarat and forum get-togethers now & again.

He was a real larger than life character who was passionate about and not afraid to express his views.
It was fantastic how he turned his life around after all his woes a few years ago and at least he was able to experience and enjoy peace of mind and happiness after that with his new wife.

RIP Sarge and heartfelt condolences to his wife and friends.

[Bamboo Grove]

R.I.P.

[Huahinian]

R.I.P. Sarge!