Sad News: RIP Mutatis-Mutandi

[stlukesguild]

I just stumbled upon some sad news. Former member, Mutatis-Mutandi has died. Veteran members will remember him as one of the great contributors to this site... in spite of his often sarcastic sense of humor. MM... or rather Matthew... taught literature at a university in Illinois. We shared a passion for Moby Dick, Cormac McCarthy, Shakespeare, art, the Beatles, classical music, and comic books. We kept in touch after he was banned from TC through Facebook and shared thoughts on books, music, art, and films. He had just posted a couple of weeks back on the new Jurassic Park film and I had responded. Matt was one tough cookie. He suffered from epidermolysis bullosa and faced repeated hospital stays and rounds of treatment. Unfortunately, the disease eventually took its toll. RIP Matt.

[OrphanPip]

I just stumbled upon some sad news. Former member, Mutatis-Mutandi has died. Veteran members will remember him as one of the great contributors to this site... in spite of his often sarcastic sense of humor. MM... or rather Matthew... taught literature at a university in Illinois. We shared a passion for Moby Dick, Cormac McCarthy, Shakespeare, art, the Beatles, classical music, and comic books. We kept in touch after he was banned from TC through Facebook and shared thoughts on books, music, art, and films. He had just posted a couple of weeks back on the new Jurassic Park film and I had responded. Matt was one tough cookie. He suffered from epidermolysis bullosa and faced repeated hospital stays and rounds of treatment. Unfortunately, the disease eventually took its toll. RIP Matt.

I just saw this on facebook as well, quite tragic, he was always a kind and generous soul.

[mona amon]

I'm so sorry to hear this. I always hoped he'd be back some day. :(

[Logos]

Aw what terribly sad news. RIP Matthew. Thank you for passing this on stlukes.

[ajvenigalla]

Rip :(

[YesNo]

I am sorry to hear of his passing. I enjoyed reading his posts.

[Pierre Menard]

That's horrible :( I always really enjoyed his posts, he was a really smart and kind guy.


Rest in Peace good man.

[mortalterror]

Dang, he was young and his short life was troubled with terrible illness. He was a good kid.

[Emil Miller]

Although he had been banned from the forum for quite a while, he was part of a dynamic that has sadly diminished
and it's in this respect that he will be remembered by those who were fortunate enough to be around at that time.

[Sancho]

^agreed.

So long, MM. I've missed your voice since you were banned. Also, you and me being huge sports fans, I've missed chatting with you about baseball.

Joking. Joking. Everybody who knew him, knows that MM absolutely HATED baseball.

RIP old friend.

[Calidore]

Holy cow, that's sad. He'd talked about his numerous battles with skin cancer and said that he expected it to kill him one day. It's awful that it had to happen so early; he wasn't even 30, was he?

He had also talked about going to school to be an English teacher, so I'm very glad to hear that he got to achieve his goal at least.

He said once that he lived in downstate Belleville, IL, which is pretty near a friend of mine in Edwardsville. I had hopes of meeting him someday on one of my occasional visits down there.

RIP, Matt/Mutatis.

[Jack of Hearts]

Rest in peace.






J

[Virgil]

Oh, I'm so saddened to hear. He was a good young man, and bright, and obviously persevered with his difficulties, and I was really fond of him. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord.

[Darcy88]

That is so gosh darned sad. I kept in touch with him also through facebook. If he hadn't written a blog about his illness I never would have known, considering how unaffected was his attitude and sense of humor. He really was an admirably strong individual who didn't let his difficulties overcome his spirit. I'll miss him.

[AuntShecky]

Oh, yes, I remember his witty and dynamic discussions. And how sad, sometimes, that things must change, even for the sake of change.

[Helga]

I am sorry to hear that, he was very witty and his absence from the forum was noticed and missed.

[MystyrMystyry]

Vale Mutatis!

[tonywalt]

I'm so sad to hear of this. I really thought highly of him, his kindness, spirit and intelligence. He will be missed. I too wish we could have some of the old days back on litnet.

[Scheherazade]

Quite saddened to hear this. He was a strong willed person, which work both for and against him, I guess.

All said and done, hope he rests in peace wherever or however that might be.

[Buh4Bee]

I liked his blog. He was a real character. RIP!

[LitNetIsGreat]

Just come across this by chance. This is a sad note indeed. Nobody should die young.

[qimissung]

Although he had been banned from the forum for quite a while, he was part of a dynamic that has sadly diminished
and it's in this respect that he will be remembered by those who were fortunate enough to be around at that time.

Well said, Emil, well said. He was contentious, but he leavened it with such a lively spirit. I missed his presence here, and I hoped he was doing well. RIP, Mutatis.

[Babyguile]

We had quite a fractured relationship on the forum. I've just been re-reading our PM exchanges. Ouch! But... the internet is a hostile place. It isn't always the best place to come to if you are lonely or struggling; your vulnerability can be misinterpreted and things can backfire. I too have waited for him to return because he was one of the more prolific posters and because I wanted another go at understanding his rather odd character.

A young man. An English teacher. This is someone who could have inspired hundreds of people. Tragic.

[Dreamwoven]

It is always sad when someone dies, especially so young. I did not know the person but I recognise the LitNet user name. RIP.

[Lokasenna]

I've only just stumbled across this. How very, very sad. He was such a lively, energetic person, and with so much potential too. I had some really fantastic discussions with him.

[stlukesguild]

Yes, Loka... after MM (Matthew) was banned from LitNet we kept in touch through Facebook. He was interested in Art and Classical music and would PM me with questions on the topic, while I would turn to him with questions on comic books. We both shared a love for Melville's Moby Dick. He was teaching introductory literature at the university level and we would often share our experiences with teaching and all the politics involved. His passing was rather sudden and unexpected. We had last spoken around the middle of June and he said nothing to suggest his health had deteriorated... but on July 1st, he died. That was his way. He wasn't one to wallow in self-pity... or let his disease get him down. Over the years I have been on various internet forums I have had 3 people that I was as close as one can be with online pass away... and many others simply move on and disappear. That alone is reason enough to be glad to hear from you again, Loka.

[Lokasenna]

Yes, Loka... after MM (Matthew) was banned from LitNet we kept in touch through Facebook. He was interested in Art and Classical music and would PM me with questions on the topic, while I would turn to him with questions on comic books. We both shared a love for Melville's Moby Dick. He was teaching introductory literature at the university level and we would often share our experiences with teaching and all the politics involved. His passing was rather sudden and unexpected. We had last spoken around the middle of June and he said nothing to suggest his health had deteriorated... but on July 1st, he died. That was his way. He wasn't one to wallow in self-pity... or let his disease get him down. Over the years I have been on various internet forums I have had 3 people that I was as close as one can be with online pass away... and many others simply move on and disappear. That alone is reason enough to be glad to hear from you again, Loka.

I know what you mean. Sometimes, things seem so ephemeral. I lost a friend very suddenly a few months ago - he was someone who started his PhD a the same time I did, and we were in synch for several years - we were always part of the gang of PhD students who met up regularly to moan about our work and have a laugh at our students' expense. And then, suddenly, he was dead. It was a terrible blow for all of us. He'd been ill for a little while, but hadn't told anyone.

When you esteem someone, when you enjoy their company and truly look forward to their conversation, it's a terrible feeling when they are suddenly cut off.

[The Comedian]

Man, I checked off of LitNet for a while and am now working my way back to it -- and I stumble across this. First, thanks St. Luke's for posting this -- Mutatis was a great guy and made this site the better for his having been here. I didn't keep up with him post-banning, however. Man, it's been a long time, but I think I remember that an early post of his was just ripping Moby-Dick, and later it became one of his most championed novels.

Mutatis, I'll have a jigger of Schnaps for you tonight!

[JuniperWoolf]

We were both argumentative trolls in our early 20s, and he was my friend. I wish I could have met him in person.

[tonywalt]

We were both argumentative trolls in our early 20s, and he was my friend. I wish I could have met him in person.

He rocked and rolled.