There’s not much detail to tell, but I’m very sad to report that Jeff Medkeff lost his fight against cancer last night.
I’m writing here, without much more info than that, to honor Jeff’s memory and the work he did. He was the very best kind of skeptic: funny and smart, he loved sharing his point of view, and had an exuberence about it that was as attractive as it was infective.
I met Jeff in person at The Amazing Meeting 5.5, where we shared pizza and marveled at the great presentation Michael Stackpole had given, about how to interact with believers of woo in such a way that you win over the hearts (first) and minds (later) of people who are undecided about false beliefs.
He and I were both Science Fair Judges (in our respective towns, of course) and he shared my wonder at how cool and terrific that gig can be. He was excited to see folks excited about science.
You know, I think I misspoke above when I said he was the very best kind of skeptic. Indeed, he was the very best kind of human, and we’re at a loss without him.
I was fortunate to meet Jeff at Tam 5.5 as well. This is indeed a sad loss for our community.
Oh wow. I’m so sorry to hear this.
:(
A scientist died on my birthday? Worst birthday ever.
The world is a better place for having had him in it. He’ll be missed.
I was there with you and Jeff at TAM 5.5, and I don’t think words can describe just how saddened I am by this.
I also met Jeff at 5.5. What a huge loss. Cancer bites.
Thanks for posting this, A. I met Jeff at TAM5.5, too, when he approached me with a secret: that he was going to name an asteroid after Phil, and he wanted to know if I could help with any minor personal info about him. I was so excited that he’d do such a neat thing.
That’s when I started reading his blog, and was really impressed with him. Smart, upbeat, funny, and dedicated. His death is a tremendous loss.
Oh wow…
I just found his blog a few weeks before the news broke about him having cancer. I never got to meet him, although I really wanted to. I was really excited about there being a notable skeptic in my home state of Alaska. I was planning on meeting up with him the next time I was in Anchorage…
Rebecca, he was the one who named an asteroid after you, wasn’t he? Did he ever have anything named after him? He sure ought to. I can’t say I knew him personally, but he seemed like a damned fine human being.
Man… this sucks.
Very sad news indeed. I met him at the TAM party and he was highly amused to learn about why peopel were waving so many corn dogs about, and why they all had to be photographed doing so.
I have a lovely picture of he and I together and I thoroughly enjoyed his company. I blogged my sadness at his loss, and join you all in missing him.
oh man that sucks. i am so sad to get this news…