The passing of a legend.

[Brian]

All, it is with great sadness that I have just been informed by Terry, that the great Dr Rich Stein passed away yesterday morning.
I think you will all join me in mourning the loss of a leader and friend to all.
This is a sad time for me and us all. Rich could be called the founder of the NMB, before it went to Rich T and then myself. As the creator of the Japanese Sword Index, we all appreciated what he did and enjoyed his posts.
I'm not going to say much more, aside from the fact that this is a huge loss, and he will be missed. I will continue to host the JSI in his memory.
He asked that Terry inform me, so he must have known this day would come. We have had some giants in the Nihonto world, and Rich was one of them.
Rich, your memory will live on and you will be missed by all here. I know this will hit hard for some of our members.
Rest in peace sir, and thank you from all of us for all that you started.

[Ray Singer]

A monumental loss. Thank you for sharing the news Brian.

[Alex A]

Shocked to hear.

 

Never really talked swords with him, just knew him as one of the guys

 

He will be missed by many, very sad.

 

 

[Gakusee]

May he rest in peace. His website started me off 

[b.hennick]

Sad news indeed. Rich provided and continues to provide a terrific amount of information. R!P...

[Ed]

What sad news. Not only was he a forerunner in the world of English information when there was none, but he was just a downright nice guy.  We used to talk about knives, especially bowies. He will be missed.

[Curran]

Wow.

Time to get out the glencairn and raise a special glass to Dr. Stein.

 

Lots of thoughts and feeling the mortality, with almost 25 years under the bridge since I first corresponded with him.

 

 

 

[Bruce Pennington]

Dang

 

 

[Bruce Pennington]

Does anyone know about his extended family?  I'm thinking about his cats.  Silly of me, I'm sure they are being taken care of. Sorry. blathering a bit.

[vajo]

Oh no  not Rich.

He was allways kind and helpfull with a great knowledge not only in Nihonto themes.

 

So sad. 

 

 

[Alex A]

Aye, he brought a lot to the forum, going to miss that a lot.

 

A real gent, always friendly.

[francois2605]

That's a terrible news. The JSI is probably the website I've used the most during my searches. He contributed a lot to this community. RIP Rich

[PNSSHOGUN]

Very sad to hear, we all have learned so much from him over the years. His site was the first stop for many of us back in the early 2000's. It will continue to educate many others for decades to come. 

[O koumori]

Sad news. His Japanese Sword Index website is what got me started down the road of Nihonto. I also purchased a few items from him; what a great guy!

RIP Rich.

[george trotter]

RIP Rich.

Your life and contribution will always be appreciated by all of us on NMB.

Warmest memories and thanks...

 

[Jussi Ekholm]

My condolences to family & friends.

[Guest Simon R]

Was just passing through and saw this very sad news.

Dr. Stein was one of the original luminaries of western research into Nihonto.

[Stephen]

Dec 11th  and I'm just reading this now?

I'm ashamed of my self...really in shock.

Like others JSI was where it all started.

 

I'm at loss for words RIP Rich God love ya.

[Mark S.]

Sad news indeed.  May his family and friends find Peace in the days ahead.  

[Nickupero]

What news... Indeed a monumental loss, he's contributed so much over the decades. Thank you Rich and RIP. 

[sbf]

 Is there any among us who hasn't learned something from his site? A giant in the field. 

[Alex A]

Doubt it, thanks to his website and good will likely saved a lot of folks from buying something they shouldn't of done.

 

 

[Brian]

Terry emailed me to mention to those that asked, that she is taking very good care of his tuxedo cat that he loved so much. It is in good hands. She also expressed her thanks for the all the wonderful tributes, she was unaware of how important and respected he was by all of us.

[Stephen]

Still terribly missed,  except to see him committing in the cat thread 

[paulb]

I've come very late to this very sad topic.  I first started making contact with Rich when he set up and ran the nmb, so a long time ago. He was always friendly, very helpful and enthusiastic. As a novice I could not have asked for a better mentor.  I am so sorry that it has taken me so long to find out. Belated but none the less my sincere condolences to Rich's family. RIP Dr. Stein

[mecox]

Thank you Dr Richard Stein for a long term commitment to Nihonto and associated.  An intelligent, generous teacher and gentleman.  Appreciated and remembered.

[Tom Darling]

A hard hit to our hobby, he was a giant and national treasure. R.I.P. Rich