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Wordslinger’s daughter says thanks

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Illinois

* From Emma Oxnevad’s GoFundMe page…

I want to an extend a huge, huge, huge thank you to everyone who so graciously donated to this campaign. When I first set this up, I felt a little silly setting my goal at $10k; I figured that people would be generous, but I never could have imagined something of this magnitude. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your kindness and generosity during this time of hardship for myself and my family. It would have absolutely warmed my dad’s heart to see how you all came through for me, and I am forever in your debt.

Y’all did a good thing.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jul 11, 19 @ 9:55 am

Comments

It was the very least we could do for someone as important as Wordslinger, who spoke so powerfully on issues that affect so many of us.

Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Jul 11, 19 @ 10:10 am
I commented when the Go Fund Me was set up that we had over 200 comments in the condolences thread and that if each gave $100 we could raise $20K. And then we went and raised over $20K. You people are a decent lot.

Comment by The Captain Thursday, Jul 11, 19 @ 10:18 am
As a community, Rich included as its heart and leader, the blog isn’t anything else you will find. I’ve tried. Nothing like this place, and the people, the people who comment, and those who read, “lurk”, but never miss a day, it’s heartwarming.

To Emma, I wish you well. Your father, I never met him. For someone I never had the privilege of meeting, I can never fully express his impact on me. His deft skill here, speaking to things so diverse and technical and wonky, his impact on me, he left me with what it means to remember to leave things better than we found them, and be there for each other.

I will look forward to looking for your work, when school is done.

Thank you, and your family too, for sharing your father.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 11, 19 @ 10:26 am
^^ beautifully written

Comment by JP Altgeld Thursday, Jul 11, 19 @ 10:39 am
The word “community” gets bandied about a lot lately. But in this instance, it really is a community, and the response was heartwarming. The general anonymity of membership is also an interesting feature.

Comment by Langhorne Thursday, Jul 11, 19 @ 10:53 am
Clicked on the gofundme link & teared up when I saw the total $ raised. Good stuff, people- I feel honored to be a small part of this community.

Comment by LoyalVirus Thursday, Jul 11, 19 @ 11:02 am
Beautifully said, OW.

Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Jul 11, 19 @ 11:07 am
Good luck in life Emma. Give your family many hugs.

Over the weekend i transplanted a pecan tree in memory of a man i never met. Your father may be temporarily gone, but he will still be nurturing Illinois for generations.

Thanks for sharing him with us.

Comment by Blue Dog Dem Thursday, Jul 11, 19 @ 11:07 am
Perfect words OW and everyone else. I always looked for Wordslinger’s insights. I love the idea of planting a tree in his memory. Good Luck Emma. Blessings to you and your family.

Comment by Froganon Thursday, Jul 11, 19 @ 11:19 am
Emma, you are a good writer. I look forward to the time you decide to create your own nickname and become a part of this community.

Comment by Amalia Thursday, Jul 11, 19 @ 12:05 pm
I still am amazed by how much Word knew about a multitude of subjects, and how he knew where to dig for the info when he didn’t. And of course, getting to the point in a way that few could. It’s like what Joni Mitchell said of Paul Simon, how he could say so much in a few lyrics while the rest of us spend many more words and wind up saying less. I am glad many of us chipped in a little or a lot in his daughter Emma’s time of need.

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Thursday, Jul 11, 19 @ 12:10 pm
Wordslinger was always worth reading. He was smart and insightful. I am sorry to hear of his passing.

Comment by James Knell Thursday, Jul 11, 19 @ 12:24 pm
What a wonderful response to help Emma pursue a career in journalism.
Does anyone know where Karl was working when he passed? So many people have left the news business its hard to keep track of where they all go.

Comment by QCT Alum Thursday, Jul 11, 19 @ 12:32 pm
Echo what OW said at 10:26. Sums it up perfectly.

Comment by SAP Thursday, Jul 11, 19 @ 3:00 pm
Everything Emma has written has had a human touch that wrings true — I think she’s gonna do fine.

Comment by Flapdoodle Thursday, Jul 11, 19 @ 4:25 pm