Some sad news about a longtime forum member -- JimB+

[Bokonon]

I have sad news about a longtime forum member.

Jim Beek -- who used the alias "JimB+" here on Mercedesshop -- passed away in his sleep last Friday.

I count Jim Beek among the funniest, smartest, sharpest and best read people that I have ever met. I was honored to count Jim among my best friends.

As a mutual friend commented, Jim was a modern day renaissance man. He was well educated and had a dry sense of humor. He also had a love of things mechanical, from cars (particularly diesel Mercedes cars, which he considered "deeply honest" and which he loved above all others) to firearms and vintage watches.

I am sitting here now, at my desk, trying to imagine the future, and trying to grasp the reality that Jim has passed out of reach. Jim's telephone number is still tacked up on the side of my computer monitor, for a call that I owed him regarding some books he'd sent me, but which had not yet arrived. I have several e-mails from him from last Wednesday still in my in box, still unanswered. We were trading viewpoints on E. Howard pocketwatches, and a particular guy that collected everything from fine watches to sailboats to old Packards, but was a complete "tool", in Jim's phrase.

I wish that I could call Jim right now, one last time, and talk to him. The problem is, if I was able to get him on the telephone, I probably would not be able to keep my composure, and Jim would have hated that. "Oh, come ON ... its not that bad," I can hear him muttering if I choked up.

The hard thing to imagine is that these conversations are now over -- the e-mails that would make me laugh out loud, the phone calls that started with Jim's gruff voice saying "Jim Beek here," or the get-togethers when I made my way back to the Washington, D.C. area so that we could share bad food, good beer and the occasional cigar. That ... and his perpetual attempts to get me to buy an old Mercedes, if for no other reason than to annoy my wife.

Jim's passing is a loss. A major loss. For his many friends on this forum.

I was privileged to know him.

Cheers, Jim.

-- Bokonon

[KirkVining]

I am saddened by the loss. If there is an address where condolences can be sent, please post it.
Kirk

[Kuan]

I never knew Jim personally. I'm saddened by his passing.

[Snibble]

Wow.. shocked to hear of this. It felt like yesterday that I have read some of Jim's postings, but to hear that he has passed is a shock. Thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Jim.

[engatwork]

Sorry to hear about JimB+. I had cooresponded via the net with him on occasion. Is there an obituary in a paper somewhere on the net? How old was he?

[Bill Wood]

I'm very sorry to hear this news.
Jim has been a MercedesShop member for a long time and will be greatly missed.

[wbain5280]

Was he the man with the 560SEC in the SF area and had a pic in MBCOUPES.com?

[suginami]

Very sorry to hear this.

I remember how much I enjoyed reading his many posts about his appreciation for the engineering integrity of 123 diesels and Packards.

I never met him nor corresponded with him on the net, but I am surprisingly saddened by his passing.

Rest in peace, Jim.

Rest in peace.

[VollkommenWar]

This is sad but he is in an infinitely better place now looking down.

[The Warden]

My condolences to his family and loved ones...

[MikeTangas]

That is truely sad news. I hadn't met Jim yet but was hoping to if I ever got a trip to the DC area. Thanks for letting us know.

[Diesel4me]

Sad sad news. I believe that Jim's car was one of the cars featured in an issue of Mercedes Enthusiast magazine last year.

[Bokonon]

Originally Posted by Diesel4me

Sad sad news. I believe that Jim's car was one of the cars featured in an issue of Mercedes Enthusiast magazine last year.

That 300CD was the same one with which he had so much trouble and expense, as discussed about a year or two ago on the diesel forum.

Christ... I miss him.

-- Bokonon

[koop]

A real gentleman. I bought my SD based in part on his recommendations and had the pleasure of exchanging emails with him. He will be missed.

[el presidente]

Very sad news. My condolences to family and friends.