From the Weekly Standard:
It’s my sad duty to report that our good friend and valued contributor Dean Barnett passed away today. He was a remarkable man–principled, witty, and to all of us, a model of grace and courage. We mourn his passing and cherish his memory.
–William Kristol
He was only 41.
I never met him personally, but we corresponded by email on many many occasions. More from Allah, Ed, and Ace. And INCITEmarsh, over at the Pub.
And here’s Hugh Hewitt, saying goodbye to his friend.
You can find out more about Dean’s story here.
He was lucky to live this long; we are unlucky that it wasn’t longer.
I’m still way bummed, though, because who else had the guts to go on national radio with such a deeply cut Boston accent?
Godspeed Chowda. Let’s hope your work was not in vain.
I only know that he made Hugh’s blog better and that after awhile I would read stuff he wrote just cause it had his name on it. I don’t think I ever said anything bad or mean about him.
I should spend more time making lists of those kinds than the other kinds I think.
[…] Dean Barnett 1967-2009 […]
I liked his writing, I looked forward to when he guest-hosted Hugh’s show… I love accents!
As someone who lost two first cousins to CF, I know the disease upfront. I must say, though, how extraordinary that so many CF people today can live as long as Dean did. I’m not surprised at his “spunkiness” because that was my cousin Debbie, who died at age 11, but always impressed everyone around her with her gentle, happy manner and fierce will to live.
He seemed like a really decent man.
What an awful battle CF is. What courage it takes to go on.
Rest in peace, Dean, you’ve earned it. Make God comfort your family.
I had hoped to meet Dean here in Ft. Myers someday in a chance encounter at a RedSox spr. training game, as I imagined it. Damn me for not having the screws to chase him down back when I knew he must be in town.
I lost my little brother to CF. God bless Dean and his family.
I don’t know how I managed to not encounter Mr. Barnett — judging from the universal praise he’s getting from bloggers I respect, I missed out, big time.
My condolences to his friends and family.
Everything I read by him, I loved. Crap.
You spotted him an extra year, Jeff.
I corresponded with him briefly back when he was still posting as James Frederick Dwight on Soxblog. I’m a Cardinals fan, and we had friendly and fair correspondence back during the fall of 2004 (when it was still pinch-me weird that the Red Sox might win a World Series.) He was always kind and gracious and encouraging, and I always was happy to have known him before he moved up the ladder. Just a good, cheerful, passionate guy. We need more of those.
Been a rotten year: Tony Snow, WFB, Dean Barnett…. Damn.
Been a rotten year: Tony Snow, WFB, Dean Barnett…. Damn.
Tim Russert
S, B, & P: I’m in the same boat. I’ve certainly heard/read his name, but don’t think I ever read anything by him. I’m feeling regret for that.
Nukem and SBP, one of the great things about the internets is that archivey function. Go get him, he’s still out there for you, and you’ll be glad you did.