Perry DeAngelis: 8/22/1963 8/19/2007

Aug 20 2007

Perry DeAngelis: 8/22/1963 8/19/2007

Published by Steven Novella under Skepticism
Comments: 0

Last night my dear friend Perry DeAngelis died after a long struggle with several serious chronic illnesses. I am still processing this personal loss and it is difficult for me write about it. Perry has been with me since the beginning of my skeptical career. He was the inspiration for the formation of the New England Skeptical Society and has served as its executive director. He is probably best known by readers of this blog as one of the skeptical rogues on the Skeptics Guide podcast – and I know that he has many fans who will be stunned and devastated by the loss of their favorite rogue.

Perry’s popularity was easy to understand – Perry had presence. The power of his personality went into everything he did, and every relationship he had. He made his opinions known and actually delighted in not sugar-coating them. Truth and reason were very important to him, so much so that he felt the truth had to be brutal. He would not diminish it with mere social nicety. This also means that when he expressed friendship, you knew he meant it.

As big as Perry’s presence was in our lives, that is the size of the hole he will leave by his absence.

Comments

: By: Dave; On: 08/20/2007 09:44:09

My condolences, he will be missed.

: By: Ben; On: 08/20/2007 09:54:32

I only knew Perry as a listener to the podcasts but I could tell he was a someone with a warm demeanor and a good friend.

: By: Jimmy; On: 08/20/2007 10:03:07

I loved Perry on the show and I thought he brought an important balance to the podcast and helped keep everyone in check in a very humorous way.

I’m very shocked and saddened by this news. SGU will never be the same without him.

: By: Jonathan; On: 08/20/2007 10:10:34

I’m at a loss for words. My condolences.

: By: CleveDan; On: 08/20/2007 10:25:19

wow:( I am sorry for your loss Dr. Steve

: By: David Nielsen; On: 08/20/2007 10:29:18

I’m stunned way beyond belief, my deepest condolences to his family and the skeptical rogues I love so dearly.

Thank you for everything Perry, you were an inspiration in the art of being brutally honest.

In Perry’ honor I’d like to complain that billions and billions of dollars should have been spend on medical research in the hopes of a cure.

: By: jonny_eh; On: 08/20/2007 10:37:29

Wow, this is terrible news.

I miss Perry already 🙁

My condolences to his friends and family.

: By: Fred; On: 08/20/2007 10:42:49

I talked to the rest of the SGttU gang at TAM5, but I wish I could have met Perry in person too. I only know his voice, but his personality came through loud and clear on the show. I feel like I got to know him over the last couple of years through the podcast, and I know I’ll miss him. My condolences to his friends and family.

: By: Nandes; On: 08/20/2007 10:48:38

I’m absolutely speechless.

This is a terrible loss.

: By: Hayden Jones; On: 08/20/2007 11:06:29

My condolences. I’m going to miss him as well and I only knew him from the podcast. 🙁

: By: Patrick Pricken; On: 08/20/2007 11:11:57

As I just wrote via email (and on the skepchick blog), Perry was my favorite rogue. I didn’t even know hom personally, and yet I’m going to miss him; I can’t imagine how the SGU crew and his (other) friends and family must feel. Damn.

Someone should do a “best of Perry” SGU uncut or something, closing with him singing the skeptical quote. Yeah, I’m sort of rambling, but what else am I gonna do?

My condolences.

: By: Paul Smith; On: 08/20/2007 11:14:38

So long Perry. You lived in such a time where science and technology had advanced far enough that your opinions and thoughts can be recorded, stored and distributed not only throughout the world, but down through time as well, you pushed our science and understanding forward in your own way to help make this possible. As a result people shall be reading what you have written, and listening to what you have said, throughout the history to come. In this sense it is science and technology that has unlocked the ability for people to hear you, no matter where you were or when you were. It is science that allows you to speak from beyond the grave.

Science 1 – Mystics 0.

: By: Stevey B; On: 08/20/2007 11:17:24

“stunned and devastated”
Thanks Perry for the New England Skeptical Society.

Stevey B ~England

: By: rev_matt; On: 08/20/2007 11:17:52

My deepest sympathies with you and all of his friends and family.

: By: Scott; On: 08/20/2007 11:54:15

I am stunned. Although we never met, I will miss him weekly.
My condolences.

: By: Andrew; On: 08/20/2007 12:16:44

That’s just horrible 🙁 My deepest sympathies. I’m sure I’ll be able to hear that distinctive voice in my head for years to come.

: By: Andrew; On: 08/20/2007 12:25:42

As with most of the commenters here, I was utterly stunned to hear this news and will keep my thoughts with you, the rogues and Perry’s family in the coming days. Certainly I never had the opportunity to meet the man, but how wonderful it has been to invite him into my home the past few years on the SGU. I feel so fortunate to have been able to have enjoyed so much of his wit and wisdom.

Certainly, a skeptical rogue of some note.

: By: Patrick Pricken; On: 08/20/2007 12:29:42

“Yeah, dolphins and monkeys basically could play chess together. Those are brilliant animals.”

– Perry DeAngelis, an American Skeptic of some note.

: By: Funda; On: 08/20/2007 12:34:01

Patrick, letting Perry speak for himself is the best tribute of all.

: By: Ashley; On: 08/20/2007 12:35:13

Perry will be missed.

: By: Jim Shaver; On: 08/20/2007 12:39:19

This is very sad news. Perry will be missed by many people around the world.

: By: Antonio; On: 08/20/2007 12:40:20

What a bad new! I use to hear your podcast and consider Perry as a very bright man, with a clear mind and a lot of humor sense in his comments.

Please receive my condolences.

: By: Lino Coria; On: 08/20/2007 13:13:52

This is very sad news. I have been a listener to the Skeptic’s Guide podcast for several months now and I have always enjoyed Perry’s remarks.

I just want to say how sorry I am. My sincere condolences.

Perry. A skeptic of some note.

: By: Jayrot; On: 08/20/2007 13:45:37

This is sad news. I’ll miss Perry.

: By: David Driscoll; On: 08/20/2007 14:09:25

Very sad news. I feel like I missed so much of Perry’s wisdom as I just discovered the podcast back in February. He will be missed.

: By: Nevar; On: 08/20/2007 14:11:07

“Oh shit. Get my notes, here he comes.” — god

Thank you Perry.

: By: Peter de Jager; On: 08/20/2007 14:28:28

Sigh. My condolences to all kith and kin.
Rest in Peace Perry, we’ll fight the good fight for you.

: By: Jeff; On: 08/20/2007 14:28:58

This sucks. I’m seriously pissed off. I can’t even come up with anything better than those 2 sentiments.

: By: Metric Warrior – Mark; On: 08/20/2007 14:29:42

Perry – Irreplaceable.

You will be missed. My heart goes out to his family and friends for your great loss.

Sincerely,
M

: By: Pekka S; On: 08/20/2007 14:33:47

I’m shocked and sadended… My deepest condolences to Perrys family, friends and fellow fans.

Pekka S, Sweden

: By: Megan; On: 08/20/2007 14:57:15

Oh no!!! I didn’t realize he was so sick. I am deeply, deeply sorry for all of the rogues as well as his family.

I don’t know what to say, I’m totally flabergasted and sad. 🙁

Millions and millions should have been spent on his illness. I know that with you as his friend Steven, he got the best of care.

The show is not the same without him and I’ve missed him the past weeks, I was really looking forward to next week when I thought he’d be on again.
Please extend my best wishes and comforting thoughts to his family.

If there is anything I can do, I’d love to. Does he have children or parents or someone to whom I can send a card to?

No responses yet