I miss Frank

I miss him too, presumably not as much as those of you who knew him well,
but I do miss him. I used to be a daily lurker, then went away for a while,
then came back and was immediately struck by Frank's absence. Then, I was
saddened when a Google search revealed the reason.

I'd like to see whether he has dire predictions about Noodler's black ink
(which I love), based on his seemingly across-the-board view that if it's
waterproof, it's no good for fountain pens -- or, is the Noodler's formula
an entirely diffetrent issue. And, for that matter, his opinion on evrything
else in this group, every day. And, I wish I could have met him at a pen
show.

Hi, Ted,

I think we all miss Frank on some level or other. I knew him well
enough. He, Pier Gustafson, Jeff Krasner, Peter Markman and I were the
core of the Boston Pen Club of the mid and late 1980's. This all
preceded his book and international fame, of course. At that time
Frank was still cribbing from old repair manuals to create his
now-famous book.

As one difficult and problematic person observing another, I can say
that Frank could be both intentionally and unintentionally
entertaining. He knew a great deal about pens but not as much as he
thought he did - none of us do. He was as quirky and changeable as the
New England weather and, often enough, as unreasonable as a
nor'easter. And getting him into a restaurant...there are many who go
to execution more willingly and complain less about it. He could be
presented with a flawless meal and find hours worth of gripes about
it. :-)

I enjoyed twitting him several times on the Zoss List, where he hid
out as igpen2. Frank was misogynistic and a devoted son. He was so
tight he squeaked when he walked but often generous. He could drive
people crazy and make them laugh both at and with him.

I was a long time before I started attending pen shows again this past
February in Los Angeles. I had been looking forward to encountering
Frank there or at some other show and bantering with him about pens: 2
difficult, crotchety old guys with very different takes on this
wonderous hobby. It would have be alot of fun for both of us and for
the spectators.

Yes, I miss him too.

(Rob Astyk)

Yes, I miss him too.

I don't think Frank would appreciate being missed... I think Frank would much
prefer that folks remembered him without missing him... Frank is not missing,
he'll always be here.


---= BOYCOTT FRANCE (belgium) GERMANY--SPAIN =---
---= Move UNITED NATIONS To Paris =---
*********
"Life would be devoid of all meaning were it without tribulation."
Sheldon
````````````

Rob Astyk wrote:

Hi, Ted,

I think we all miss Frank on some level or other.
I knew him well enough ....

Great post. Reads like Hamlet's Yorick speech.
A fitting tribute from one fine pen aficionado to
another who has fallen. I only lurk, but miss him
as well. My signed Book is sitting in a drawer
along with a few pens awaiting repair.

Thanks for the great post, Rob. Now, I almost feel as if I _had_ met him.

Dear pen friends,

We all miss Frank and his quirky ways. He was irascible kind caring helpful, a skinflint , possesed an encyclopedic pen and ink knowledge which he gladly shared. He did not take kindly to fools but had a lot of patience for the newbie. Rob's post below says it all. Do a google search and you will find many tributes and also Frank tirades.

I corresponded with Frank intermittently, mostly about our troubles and care for old parents. Frank was the ever devoted son. Just hours after hearing his mom's demise, he shoveled snow and kicked the bucket. maybe to be with her up there. Who dies shoveling snow !!

Attached here (well the picgoo link should take you there) a pic of Frank from DC show where I had the p[leasure of meting FD in person after only corresponding. His devoted g/f Robyn is behind him.



img src="http://www.picgoo.com/uploads7/frankdubieldabook1.jpg"

I bought up 10 copies of Da Book for resale to our pen club remembers. When I asked for a freebie he looked as if he would kill me but agreed on a 10% discount for cash and that's how it worked out. I also found amongst the fake MB's wearevers, cheapo no names and other stuff two P45 demonstrators which Frank marked at 125 and 145 respectively but actually sold at 50, or so. Could probably havce found cheaper but I spent time talking, his sales were not that great and it was still the beginning of the show when I had cash in hand. So bought the demonstrators even though I am not a 45 user. More a 51 and old duofold collector user.

I was offered over 100 for each but could not part with them because they came from Frank.

My original Fountain Pens, The complete guide to repair and restoration with Frank's sig and inscription has pride of place on my pen book shelf even though I am not much of a DIY chap.

Let's all eat yesterday's pizza, grab some left over cola's and drink to frank and pen collecting, repairing restoring.
I am sure he is looking down on us chuckling the sentim,ental fools left behind. After all "it's only a fountain pen. Not rocket science"

I miss you Frank Dubiel. Acp-p and the pen world is not the same without you.

PS Have you noticed how many of our breed are croaking and leaving us to meet the maker. Is it something to do with the hobby or just old age, statistics or the way of life.. Live and enjoy while you are here, for we know not what tomorrow will bring. Sorry for moribund thoughts.


"Rob Astyk" wrote in message m...
Hi, Ted,

I think we all miss Frank on some level or other. I knew him well
enough. He, Pier Gustafson, Jeff Krasner, Peter Markman and I were the
core of the Boston Pen Club of the mid and late 1980's. This all
preceded his book and international fame, of course. At that time
Frank was still cribbing from old repair manuals to create his
now-famous book.

As one difficult and problematic person observing another, I can say
that Frank could be both intentionally and unintentionally
entertaining. He knew a great deal about pens but not as much as he
thought he did - none of us do. He was as quirky and changeable as the
New England weather and, often enough, as unreasonable as a
nor'easter. And getting him into a restaurant...there are many who go
to execution more willingly and complain less about it. He could be
presented with a flawless meal and find hours worth of gripes about
it. :-)

I enjoyed twitting him several times on the Zoss List, where he hid
out as igpen2. Frank was misogynistic and a devoted son. He was so
tight he squeaked when he walked but often generous. He could drive
people crazy and make them laugh both at and with him.

I was a long time before I started attending pen shows again this past
February in Los Angeles. I had been looking forward to encountering
Frank there or at some other show and bantering with him about pens: 2
difficult, crotchety old guys with very different takes on this
wonderous hobby. It would have be alot of fun for both of us and for
the spectators.

Yes, I miss him too.