The passing of Derf

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It is with great sorrow and disbelief that I need to inform the numista community that my dad (Derf) passed away on 4/24/2020 at 21:34 Kyrgyzstan time. He had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer just a week ago.

Regards to all,
Tonya Silliman Grossman
testyst68
Topic moved to "Free discussion" (ZacUK, 24-Apr-2020, 19:00)
This is very sad news. Please accept my condolences.
Tonya,
This news is terrible. Fred, your father was an amazing guy. Really upstanding. I had the privilege of having conversations with him. I am so saddened to learn about his passing.

From the stuff that I would send him he would tell me that some of it was for you. He was always looking out for you and still will be.

May your family find comfort in these trying times. May his memory be a blessing to all of us.

Aaron
I sell my Duplicate or Un-Needed coins on eBay: https://www.ebay.com/str/coinsandmorenj.
Tonya,
I will share a story here about your amazing father:

About a year ago during one of my conversations with him I mentioned to him that my daughter started collecting banknotes. He asked me how old she was and if it would be ok if he sent her a few notes. I told him that of course he can but suggested that he may not want to because of the hassle of sending letters from Kyrgyzstan. I said a letter envelope will probably never make it so he shouldn't bother himself. I figured he took my advice and that was that.

About 2 weeks later we get an international Fedex package. It was addressed to my daughter. I couldn't imagine who was sending my 8 year old daughter a package from out of the country. So my daughter and I opened the packing slip and I was BLOWN away when I saw who the sender was. It was your dad. I explained to my daughter the conversation I had with Fred and how I told him not to send anything. I would never have imagined that he would go thru the hassle and expense of sending a FEDex international package. Why would he do that?

Anyway, we open the package and inside was a stack of about 30-40 banknotes, mostly from Kyrgyzstan. My daughter was speechless.
You'd think that was all..... but nope. Your father printed out a story book for children. I dont remember the exact story it was but something about a bear i believe or a queen with different colored hair or something. He included this home printed book along with a letter to my daughter. The letter pretty much said that she should enjoy her collecting and that she hopefully will enjoy the notes he sent. All the effort he went thru.

I reached out to him and told him I'd like reimbuse the shipping expense as I feel bad what it must have costed him (my daughter also sent him a thank you letter). Below was his response


That who your dad was. The world will miss him.

I have a few other nice stories about him if you'd like to hear them. The above was just mind blowing.

Aaron

I sell my Duplicate or Un-Needed coins on eBay: https://www.ebay.com/str/coinsandmorenj.
I'm sorry to hear this very sad news, Fred had a wealth of knowledge and experience and will be sorely missed.
Just because you can't see it ... doesn't mean it isn't there - Anon.

Coin catalogue referee for England, United Kingdom & pre-Union South Africa.
Banknote catalogue referee for England & United Kingdom.
I'm so very sorry to hear of this, please accept my heartfelt condolences. Fred and I conducted many trades and even more conversations and I was always impressed by his charm and kindness. I reckon the numismatic world is a much dimmer place today.

I hope you will find some comfort in knowing your father was held in such high esteem by people who never had the pleasure of meeting him in person.
Non illegitimis carborundum est.  Excellent advice for all coins.
Make Numismatics Great Again!  
Please accept my condolences. It's been a pleasure having conversations and trading with Fred. Rest in peace...
ROMAE AETERNAE
I am so sorry to hear this
Tonya
I also seem to be one of many to have fond memories of dealing with your father Fred. He will also be missed here.
Condolances to you and yours
Just call me Bram

Oh! And do read my profile page before you open a swap ...
Very sorry and sad to hear that.

thank you Aaron for sharing this heartwarming story.
he must have been a person with a big heart.
Personally I had only a few messages but remember that he was one of the first to volunteer to donate a Price to a MPCC winner.
We need more people like your father.

my condolences and thoughts to you and the whole family
If you like coins, medals and tokens with ship motives follow my new instagram account with regular updates @numisnautiker
From time to time I sell some coins on Ebay make sure to follow me @apuking on Ebay.
Iam very sorry to here about Fred's passing. My condolences to you and family. He will be deeply missed.
I never got to have a full swap with Fred. But we did do some trading. You take care of yourself. And peace be with you
yours daryl
It is, what it is, or is it.
I am having some difficulty in typing through my tears. Peace and condolences to your family.
Library Media Specialist, columnist, collector, and gardener...
I'm very sorry to hear that. Although I didn't know him personally I remember him as a forum regular, he will be missed. Please accept my heartfelt condolences.
I collect and deal in ancient Roman coin. In case you're looking for affordable ancient coins or need any help with the coins you already have send me a message.
Tonya

My sincere condolences, Fred and I talked for several times , until our last conversation on the 9th of April.

So sad to hear this news.
Dan.
JustforFun...
Thank you Aaron for sharing such a heartwarming story ,its really impressive to know how kind hearted and helpfull Person he was.

Although I never had any chance to have a conversation with him its very sad to know this.
My prayers are with you and you family .
The world need more people like father to make this world a better place.
My condolences are with to you and the whole family
coin collector.....
I am so sad to hear that, Fred was simply amazing as person and a great collector. I had a great time in my conversations with Fred. I still remember that after a failed trade because of Kyrgyzstan post we decided to make trades through his daughter Tonya. Even if I never met him in person I will miss him a lot. I have such a great respect for Fred.

Please accept my deepest condolences Tonya. Hope you'll find comfort knowing that he was very much appreciated in this community being a great man and collector.
Quote: "Testyst68"​It is with great sorrow and disbelief that I need to inform the numista community that my dad (Derf) passed away on 4/24/2020 at 21:34 Kyrgyzstan time. He had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer just a week ago.

​Regards to all,
​Tonya Silliman Grossman
​testyst68
​My sincere condolences!
Cents are money too!
Condolences, for family and loved ones- sadness, grief.
R.I.P

Ivan
I didn't know your dad Derf but the echo of his great soul is also in the good memories of this community.
My condolences.
Riccardo

L'eterno riposo dona a lui o Signore, splenda ad esso la luce perpetua. Amen
I'm in shock. I had no idea. I am so sorry for you loss and I offer my most sincerest condolences to you and your family. :snif:
Fred was a great man, which aaronmgd's story proofs.
Take care of yourself and your family in this time of grief. Blessings.
Coin referee for: AZE, FRO, GRL, US-HI, KOR, KGZ, MLI, MHL, MMR, PRK, UZB, SML, TAT, TWN, TJK
Banknote referee for: AGO, AZE, BLR, ECS, GEO, HTI, KAZ, KGZ, KOR, MNG, MRT, PMR, PRK, ROK, SWE, TJK, TKM, TUR, UZB, WSM, ZWE
I am so sorry to hear that Tonya he was so nice I always enjoyed our talks and especially getting to meet him back when I was first getting started collecting it was crazy that we lived in such a small world and my house was literally right down the street from his old house in NC. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.

Matt
Please accept my condolences as well. 8.
Catalogue administrator
I also had the pleasure of trading notes and coins with Fred, he is such an amazing and kind person! I'm so sorry for your loss :(
"For by telling them of many things without teaching them you will make them seem to know much, while for the most part they know nothing"
-Plato
So sorry to hear this. Fred was a upstanding gentleman whom I had great respect for. Im going to miss him ,and am saddened by this unexpected loss.


John
I'm so sorry to hear this very sad news, please accept my condolences.
He was active on the forum and his presence and knowledge will be missed by all of us.

Galor
Quote: "aaronmgd"​Tonya,
​I will share a story here about your amazing father:

​About a year ago during one of my conversations with him I mentioned to him that my daughter started collecting banknotes. He asked me how old she was and if it would be ok if he sent her a few notes. I told him that of course he can but suggested that he may not want to because of the hassle of sending letters from Kyrgyzstan. I said a letter envelope will probably never make it so he shouldn't bother himself. I figured he took my advice and that was that.

​About 2 weeks later we get an international Fedex package. It was addressed to my daughter. I couldn't imagine who was sending my 8 year old daughter a package from out of the country. So my daughter and I opened the packing slip and I was BLOWN away when I saw who the sender was. It was your dad. I explained to my daughter the conversation I had with Fred and how I told him not to send anything. I would never have imagined that he would go thru the hassle and expense of sending a FEDex international package. Why would he do that?

​Anyway, we open the package and inside was a stack of about 30-40 banknotes, mostly from Kyrgyzstan. My daughter was speechless.
​You'd think that was all..... but nope. Your father printed out a story book for children. I dont remember the exact story it was but something about a bear i believe or a queen with different colored hair or something. He included this home printed book along with a letter to my daughter. The letter pretty much said that she should enjoy her collecting and that she hopefully will enjoy the notes he sent. All the effort he went thru.

​I reached out to him and told him I'd like reimbuse the shipping expense as I feel bad what it must have costed him (my daughter also sent him a thank you letter). Below was his response


​That who your dad was. The world will miss him.

​I have a few other nice stories about him if you'd like to hear them. The above was just mind blowing.

​Aaron


​Thank you !! :love: And I welcome any story you'd like to tell, here or in a private message:)
My God, I come back on to the site for the first time in months to this news! That really is sad, he was a great guy, always generous and willing to help out others. He'll be well missed.
What? Me Worry
I just found out. My condolences Tonya. Your father was a great man and a friend. Fred is collecting now in a better place. Niech spoczywa pokoju.
Former numista referee for Poland and half of african countries.
I invite you to my FB group about commemorative coins : https://www.facebook.com/groups/1635288620035921
Quote: "Testyst68"​It is with great sorrow and disbelief that I need to inform the numista community that my dad (Derf) passed away on 4/24/2020 at 21:34 Kyrgyzstan time. He had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer just a week ago.

​Regards to all,
​Tonya Silliman Grossman
​testyst68
​Dear Tonya,
Sad news.
It is never easy dealing with the loss of a parent. Looking at all the lovely stories about your dad - he was a kind hearted gentleman. Cherish the sweet memories - they will stay with you forever.
regards
Please accept my condolences. I lose great friend.
I grieve with you, Tonya.
Que nos pensées vous aident à vivre cette terrible et brutale épreuve
Sincères condoléances à toute la famille
BOINC

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