I'm very sorry to announce that the MBP forum has lost one of its own. Chuckbuick has passed away. This happened several months ago and while I have been aware of it for a while I was waiting to make an announcement for reasons not relevant to this thread. I regret not saying something sooner as some may have already been aware of it.
Mark was a long-time member who made his first appearance here in 2012. He posted often and did some really outstanding work (check out some of these surface mount builds: http://www.madbeanpedals.com/forum/index.php?topic=22797.msg223660#msg223660 and http://www.madbeanpedals.com/forum/index.php?topic=22594.msg221873#msg221873). He was also a genuinely nice and helpful person here on the forum. I wish I could say more about him and I am a little ashamed to not have known him better. Perhaps those of you who did know him personally can share your thoughts.
I only know scant details concerning how he passed so I don't really have any information other than I understand it was self-inflicted in some way. I hesitate to say even that because it is personal and private information to the family but I think it's important because we have a lot of members here in all walks of life. There have even been a couple of circumstances where (other) members have privately communicated with me about mental health issues they were experiencing. All I can offer is that anyone who feels that way should know there is always a better option. Seeking out help either from family, friends, or professionals who have experience dealing with mental health crises seems difficult but almost always has a positive outcome. I saw this happen everyday when I worked in a mental health care facility at a university.
People often say "suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem". Well, that's complete bullshit. For many people depression, health and mental health crises are on-going and sometimes lifelong. For some, it may seem like the only option for relief. But, it isn't. There's always someone out there that can help.
Anyway, please feel free to leave your comments, thoughts and stories about Mark if you have them.
Man, that's terrible news. It really hits home with me since one of best friends of 15 years (at the time) took his own life just over 3 years ago. Each year I think about him on his birthday knowing that exactly month later will be the day I lost him. I have tears in my eyes just writing that much.
So while I didn't know Mark except through his incredible work, I do know the pain others are feeling and I hope they can find some peace somehow. And I can empathize with Mark as well because once that thought creeps into your head it's hard to drive it out.
So, if anyone affected needs someone to talk to feel free to message me.
RIP Mark. I'll melt some solder in your honor today.
Oh man.. Those are sad news, I did communicate with him and he was always kind and helpfull. I send him few messages a couple of months ago and never got reply from him..
Again really sorry to here this.. :(
RIP Mark
RIP Mark.
He was always a nice guy on this forum. I remember his awesome PCB layouts.
Very sad news.
It is heartbreaking when people think there is no other option or way out.
That's awful news. I didn't have the honour of chatting with him but definitely remember his work and his friends and family are in my thoughts.
Like Bean and Chordball I too hope that if anyone fancies a chat about anything or nothing they hit the message button.
Wow, this is truly awful news. He was so talented. I've know a few that have "taken matters into their own hands". It's never easy to deal with and / or except. My hopes and prayers (no particular religion, just positive energy really) go out to his family. May they find peace and answers.
I echo what most are probably typing as I am. I can't offer "professional" advice or council. Please If you need someone to talk (type) to do not hesitate to message me. I can at least listen and sometimes that is the only thing someone needs.
-Mike-
Wow RIP. I've been in total awe of everything I've ever seen him post on here.
It is really sad indeed.
I never got a chance to talk to him personally but loved to see the builds and layouts he was coming with and he always seemed a nice and helpful guy.
My best wishes to his family and friends. It may be a small thing, but his work will always be remembered by some of the members on this forum.
I guess you never know what someone is going through, but I agree with what has been said before: there is always someone to talk to out there, even in an small and mixed community as this forum is. There's a person behind each username, post and build and that's something that should never be forgotten.
RIP Mark. RIP Chuckbuick.
Very sad news indeed. He will be missed.
Rip Mark. 😞
As others stated, his work was amazing and his layouts were works of art. He was extremely generous with his comments, "left over" pcbs, and his sense of humor. Really made him a pleasure to deal with.
We exchanged a number of emails based on our mutual interest in surface mount builds. Never met or spoke in person, but I'm sure he would've been a great person to hang with. I was always happy to see his latest builds and was really glad when he started working with the grindcustoms crew. A huge inspiration to me. He is missed.
Wishing all the best memories and peace to his loved ones.
That sure knocked the wind out of my sails, sad sad news! Talented, inspired artist.
Thanks for posting Brian.
RIP Mark
dave
RIP :( A very talented man.
This is terribly sad news. His builds were always so inspiring.
The 5 band EQ he made for BOTY one year might be, in my opinion, the single most impressive piece of work I have seen on this forum ever. And that, as you all know, is saying a great deal.
I too will flow some solder this weekend in his honor.
Terrible news. I was always blown away with that guy's work. Search for Quackillac and VC Flanger to see board layouts that are pure artwork. I seem to recall him talking about issues from time to time.
I've experienced a lot of healthy people fighting to die and a lot of sick people fighting to live and it's very frustrating not to be able to help.
This is a great crew around here and I echo everybody else's sentiments. PLEASE don't suffer alone. As a society we've come a very long way in our perception of sexual orientation. Here's to progress in our perception of mental health as well.
And thank you Chuckbuick from so many of us for your years of inspiration.
That's so sad.
I'm looking at his build reports right now, they're all so incredible! His 12 stage Ross phaser, his Zero Point SPDX are so crazy. And yeah I too remember his entry for the 2015 BOTY. Such an inspiring amount of work. Really makes me want to build better, cleaner, and smarter builds!
I proofread his osmium (tight metal smd pcb) build docs. Gave him a few suggestions. It was really good working with him on that. Indeed, it is very sad news. RIP Mark. Prayers and best wishes to his friends and family that he left behind.
Tom
This is very sad news indeed. I always looked forward to his builds, which I could be sure would blow my mind. He was a true inspiration.
my condolences to his family and friends. I'll echo, what the others said. Don't be afraid to ask for help.
RIP Chuckbuick ::)
Wow, really really sorry to hear this.
Chuck was a really great guy. I'd tried and kept failing to build one of his SMD phasers and he wouldn't give up - kept sending me free parts to try to fix it, wouldn't even let me pay him for shipping. Super nice guy. Just terrible news.
My condolences to friends and family, indeed very sad news, and a loss to our great community.
Josh
This really sucks, indeed. What a talented man and good person. I really liked his input. His project were fantastic.
Sad, sad news. :'(
Damn, that's fucked up. I've lost two friends over the last year to suicide. Look after your dang selves people.
RIP Mark.
That's a damn shame...
I got a text from Forrest last night about this and needed a bit of time to process before posting. The strangest thing was that I thought about him a couple of days ago and was wondering how he was. This is just awful news.
Other than Brian and Forrest, who I obviously talk to all the time, I may have corresponded the most with Mark. I never spoke with him on the phone, but we used to email and PM often. We haven't spoken as much in the last couple of years for whatever reason. I assumed we both got busy but perhaps there was more going on with him.
I first met Mark back on the BYOC forum. This was before he got into circuit board design. He messaged me about a build that I posted. I ended up sending him some boards for whatever reason and it kicked off some great conversations. When he started getting into board layout, he asked me to help him look over his first attempts. Pretty soon, he didn't need any more advice and was kicking out some amazing designs. I remember him referring to PCB layout as his favorite puzzle game. Over the years, we both got into the habit of sending PCBs back and forth when we did a layout. I think he must've sent me a PCB for the first dozen layouts that he did.
My favorite memory of Mark was when he did his first layout with 0402 parts. It was great. Because I'm generally a smartass, I said something along the lines of "well, that's nice and all, but now you have to do one with 0201 parts." So, of course, that's exactly what Mark did. Of course, not only did his board work and look great, he also send me a copy along with all of the parts for it. I built it but never got around to boxing it. It's always been close to the top of my "I need to box this" list because I wanted him to see that I actually built it. As stupid as this sounds, this morning as I type this, I really regret not finishing that build. I'm not sure why, but it really bothers me.
I'm pretty bummed out about this. Obviously, I wasn't close with Mark outside of the forums, but there was a bond there due to our mutual interest in SMT type building. I'm sorry that he felt things were so bad that this was his best option.
RIP Mark
Quote from: pickdropper on May 06, 2017, 05:21:44 AM
As stupid as this sounds, this morning as I type this, I really regret not finishing that build. I'm not sure why, but it really bothers me.
It's not stupid at all. Unfinished business with someone who you now can't resolve is heavy stuff. I have unfinished business with a friend that died in 1997, and it still bothers me when I think about it (which unfortunately for me is still about 2-3 times a month).
Man, this is really terrible news. I never met Mark but like others was in awe of his talent as a builder and designer. I really wish I would have had the chance to get to know him and my condolences go out to all of his family and friends. RIP Mark.
So sorry to hear this :'(
Such sad news RIP Mark
R.I.P
Another gr8 lost. :'(
Very sad to hear. Seemed like a really great and genuine guy. Awesome builder, too.
RIP, Man.
I gotta say, this has hit me. I lost a co-worker here this week too. Funeral is on Tuesday.
I only interacted a little bit with Mark, but his work was top notch, and his help and influence on the forum will be missed in the long run. My condolences to his family, if they see this.
Jacob
I never know how to react to this type of information. It's terrible. RIP Mark. I always enjoyed reading his posts, and I think I have a couple of his builds done.
It saddens me to realize I know of three people who have now taken this path, two of which in the last year.
Quote from: GermanCdn on May 11, 2017, 09:21:41 AM
I never know how to react to this type of information. It's terrible. RIP Mark. I always enjoyed reading his posts, and I think I have a couple of his builds done.
It saddens me to realize I know of three people who have now taken this path, two of which in the last year.
Yeah, this is the second in a few months for me. The first was a family friend that I grew up with. I still haven't reconciled why, and I'm not sure it will ever really make sense to me.
Very sad news. My prayers and condolences as well.
Such a massive shame
He had bucketloads of talent
With a few other things going on in my life, Im so glad of a holiday tomorrow. Dont be worried I dont suffer from any mental health but everyone goes through periods where things can become overwhelming. In some cases a rest or a change is whats needed.
Oh man, I'm just now seeing this. Such a shame.
On the few occasions I PM'ed with him, I could tell he was a good guy. I know some of the questions I asked him about SMT must've been terribly n00bish, but he was always very gracious/patient. I can't think of a single question I ever asked him where he didn't take the time to reply, and I remember remarking to myself how detailed he was in his responses.
His building skills have already been widely praised, and rightfully so. I'll just agree with everyone else by saying his stuff was some of the best I've ever seen anywhere (I'll never forget that EQ). Obviously a very creative & talented person who will be missed.
R.I.P.
That's a great shame. I did not know him, but Bean, thank you for posting and for your heartfelt comments.
RIP.
my feelings go out to all.
Well, shit. Be well.
This hits home for me. When I was younger I had a mentor in pro audio that I really cared for. He had to lay me off and I got angry. I refused to talk to him. He died in a car crash a few months later. This drags up the same feelings. Sorry I didn't get to know you Mark. I did a little through your work.
God's Speed.
I am saddened by this news as well. Like everyone else, I admired Mark's work. May he rest in peace, and may his family also find peace.
Brian, thank you for passing this sad news along to the group.