Conference 7.286::digital

    
    What can I say? I first 'met' Simon through the medium of notes back
    when it was Kawell notes and he was working on the Professional series
    and I was a mere support hack in the UK CSC.
    
    Over the ensuing years, we corresponded, eventually ending up in jobs
    that enabled us to meet quite often for people who lived 3000 miles
    apart.
    
    My respect for that man has no bounds. My firstborn son was named after
    him in a gesture that I shall never regret.
    
    Damn, damn, damn, I can't type straight for the tears.

    thankyou Andy, I'm one of those who never met him but regarded him
    as a friend.
    
    only two weeks ago, he sent me kind mail after finding out I'd
    gotten a divorce.
    
    He will be missed in this world, he was a very special person.
    
    Bonnie

    I met Simon briefly on several occasions and corresponded by mail from
    time to time. He was a consumate gentleman. One of those people you
    brush by you can never forget. RIP.
    

    Absolutely speechless.

    
    Unreal, My thoughts/prayers to his family and friends ...
    
    I was very much enfluenced/inspired by his information through
    this medium.
    
    Why, oh why ?!?
    
    
    
    

    First Martin Minow retires and now Simon is dead.  I feel like
    someone has stuck a knife in the soul of DEC and is ripping it from
    head to toe.  I wish they would either finish the job or stop and leave
    us alone.
    
    Bob

    Simon Szeto was a software engineering manager. At least that is what
    DEC paid him for. He was also a very special person. When he left the
    RSTS group to work on the PRO many years a go a trade rag, the RSTS
    Professional, called him the conscience of RSTS engineering. He was
    always vitally concerned about customers. Actually he was vitally
    concerned about people period.

    Noters owe him some great debts. Even if he did create SOAPBOX. Simon
    was a manager in the old PRO-350 group. On his watch was created
    DITTYBAG, now CTNOTES, which was of the early product support
    conferences. But it was more then a dry report the problem/reply
    conference. It had a real personality. This was in the old KNOTES
    days. Later as Mark Goodrich  developed Notes-11 Simon was the
    unofficial product manager for this non-product. He provided lots
    of encouragement to those of us who created add-ons to notes. The first
    documentation for Notes, The Notes-11 Users Guide, came about because
    Simon encouraged and supported me in the effort.

    Simon started EASYNOTES.LIS, the definitive list of announced
    conferences on the net. I took it over a year or so later (and have
    since handed it over to another), but always regarded it as "Simon's
    List." 

    Once upon a time the sort of center of the Enet (now EASYNET) was a
    conference for discussion of network management issues. Someone started
    a flame there about smoking at work. When criticized  for posting it
    there the reply was that there was nowhere else to put it. Simon
    created the first SOAPBOX in his own directory to draw the fire away.
    This became the first really significant employee interest notes file.

    Simon also worked behind the scenes educating people about Notes
    issues. It's not well known but Notes-11 supported moderators of a
    sort. Simon was one of the first. Many of us learned to moderate by
    following Simon's lead. I know I'm not alone in that I often went to
    Simon for advice. About Notes of course  but also about work and life
    in general. Sometimes he came to me with it. but such was Simon's 
    nature and the nature of his advice that this was always welcome.

    I've known Simon since the DITTYBAG days. We met in person for the
    first time when he was visiting the RSTS group, where we both worked
    at different times, to see who this weird guy was that was in the
    middle of a major notes fight in DITTYBAG. We met face to face many
    times after that. I'm fortunate to have known him. He was truly a
    special person.

    Simon leaves behind a wife and two sons. Also a great many friends,
    including myself, who will miss him greatly. Those of us who knew him
    are fortunate for that. As a believer, as Simon was, I hold on to the
    knowledge that we will meet again in paradise. But I'll miss him until
    then.

    			Alfred

    Send not to ask for whom the bell tolls.  It tolls for thee.

    shocked in Carolina....my first memeory of Simon is NOTES....thanks for
    everything....especially SOAPBOX.....Godspeed to your next port.
    
    Capt. Scott

      When my wife and I wanted to return to Hong Kong, Simon was the person
    I went to for advice.
    
      I always looked forward to his visits.
    
      I learned a lot about Chinese people and their culture from Simon.
    
      Simon, you will be missed.
    

(Message inbox:205)
Return-Path: asics::tuner::maclean
Date: Mon, 15 Jun 92 03:51:26 +0100
From: asics::tuner::maclean (Doug MacLean 264-5204 MKO2-1/K06  14-Jun-1992 2246)
To: @simonszeto
Cc: MACLEAN
Subject: Simon Szeto's Funeral

Simon Szeto's funeral will be held on Thursday, 18 Jun at 10:00am.

It will be at:

Grace Baptist Church
67 Bedford Rd.
Merrimack, NH 03054

The family has asked that a memorial donation be made to the church in lieu of
flowers.

Directions to the church are as follows:

>From the South:

Take Rte U.S. 3 North through Nashua, where it becomes the Everett Turnpike.
Continue North and take Exit 12, Bedford Rd. (It's a toll plaza exit).
At the end of the exit ramp, turn left (West).
Follow Bedford Rd. about 0.9 mile.
The church is on your right, a large, white, colonial style church set back
from the road.

>From the North:

Take U.S. Rte 3 (NOT, however, the Everett Turnpike) South from the area of
Jordan Marsh.

Continue past Newick's restaurant on your right.
At the next light, turn right (West) onto Bedford Rd.
The church is about 1.1 mile on your right.

As before, please pass this message on so others will get the information.

Regards,

Doug MacLean
    

    I am one, and I am sure there are many, who will not be able to attend
    the funeral because we are too far away.
    
    Would those who attend please take our sincere condolences to his
    family.
    
    I shall miss Simon very much.........

stunned.. completly stunned

I never met Simon.. but during the creation of pan we exchanged
many notes


I shall allways regret that I never got to see him when he was
at DECpark and I was at Newbury (about 15 miles)

a great loss

I met Simon several times, both on trips to the US and when he visited here.
He epitomised everything that was great about this corporation; the company
is all the poorer for his sad loss.
								- Ian W.

    	Like many, I never met Simon. But, I met him electronically
    	through notes. I always had the impression he was someone
    	special.
    
    	As has been said, Martin Minow retires and Simon is dead.
    
    	Sad news, indeed.
    
    	Scott

     A painful reminder of our tenuous grip on life.  I did not know him,
     but I feel the loss of his passing.

                                  Greg

    
    Also, although never meeting Simon, but having his knowledge through
    CTNOTES and before that RSTS, I feel the saddness and the lose. 
    Whoever would think the last reply (1940.2) would be just that.....
    
    As said early, too far away to make it to the church, please pass on my
    grief to those attending.
    
    We'll miss ya Simon.

    I am in shock.... deeply saddened... as has been said, Simon was a
    *very* special man.... Having met him several times since the early
    days of Notes, and getting to know him over the years, seeing his
    accomplishments, he has my heartfelt respect and admiration for
    everything he did for co-workers, unmet noters, met noters, and friends
    he made throughout the world....
    
    Rest in peace, Simon... I know you're in a better place....
    
    God bless...
    
    -- Kristy

Now that I've calmed down a little...

If you took the page in the book you were given when you were hired, that
describes how employees are to behave, Do what is right, etc. and considered
that to be the design spec for the perfect employee.  Simon was the ultimate
implementation of that design, both as an employee and person.

Bob

    
    There are a few Notes headers that cause you to instinctively read the
    words below them with more care and deliberation, because you've seen
    a pearl of widsom under them so many times in the past.
        
    
    SIMON::SZETO was one...

   I, also, am greatly saddened by Simon's passing. I knew Simon better
   in the early 70's when we worked in a small company together. We have
   suffered a great loss! (Mods, I enter the remaining text at your descretion.
   I pray that you allow it to stand  as written. It is not being entered as a 
   point of contention so if the reader has a contrary opinion please remember
   that this is being enteredin memory of a dear person.)

   Like Alfred, I too am a believer. "a believer" meaning a believer in Jesus 
   Christ, as was Simon. To those who knew him I offer Simon as THE example
   of what a Born-Again Christian truly is to be. Not the media-hype or liberal
   press portrayal. I challenge all who know him, when wondering what a 
   "Christian" really is/should be; remember Simon. 

   His family will grieve as will ALL who knew him. But don't grieve for Simon.
   At the point of his death Simon opened his eyes in the presence of his
   Savior and Lord.  The encounter went like this:

   Simon: "ABBA! (Daddy!)"
   Jesus: "Welcome Simon! Well done, good and faithful servant!"

   This company and this world has experienced a great loss!

   -Mike-

    
    I did not know Simon well, but what I did know of him is right on
    with the way he is being remembered here.  In every brief chat I
    had with him, I always left with the impression that I had just
    learned something and upon reflection I was right.
    
    RIP, Simon.
    
    Steve
    

  I first met Simon about 14 years ago when he was product_managing RSTS/E.
  Our careers went different directions, but ::SZETO kept popping up on memos
  from all over the place.  About 3 weeks ago, our electronic paths crossed
  again and we exchanged nostalgic e-mail about the "Good Old Days" as well
  as what we were doing now.

  He was a great guy.  It's hard to believe he's gone.

  Kathy

.3 described Simon as a "gentleman".  I have never met anyone who epitomized
that word as well as Simon did.

I doubt that there is anyone else who has helped as many people in this
company, and with Simon, you always felt that this help was individual and
personal, just for you.

I feel privileged to have known Simon when I worked in CT, and deprived that I
will never know him better.

A distance of 6000 miles will prevent me from attending his funeral.  But I
hope that those who will be there will know how much he meant to those who
can't.

    Life is so fragile....
    
    I posted a question regarding a KANJI terminal and received Simon's
    reply on 13-June-1992 08:55.  Before I say "Thank you, Simon", he is
    gone.  Am I the last one to receive his help?  Sigh!
    
    I still would like to say, "Thanks, Simon."
    
      

    Does anyone know any more details besides his bike was found next to
    the road?  Has there been an official report as to the cause?
    Saddened...
    -kb

    Of all the memories recorded here, I have to agree with Eric--the
    one that struck me as most apt was "gentleman."  Nothing could
    decribe him more precisely.  As busy as his schedule was, he would
    always find the time to help--why, just a few weeks ago, he responded
    in mail to me with a solution to an Internet problem I had referenced
    in a computer conference.
    
    As polite and courteous as he was, however, I hope I'm not alone
    in remembering that clever glint that would sometimes appear in
    his eyes when someone else in a group spoke foolishly or out of
    turn.  He also had humour. And the admirable ability to rather 
    astutely change the course of a conversation gone awry.
    
    I think Simon would very much appreciate that these "notes" are proving
    cathartic for those Digits that knew him and have taken on the form of 
    a eulogy to him...I feel he would have that touch of irony that 
    I saw in his eyes from time to time.
    
    For all the occasions he made the time to help me, I hope to be there
    on Thursday to extend my sympathy to his family.  
    
    					- Anne Marie Brako 

    ..amen and ibid to the previous notes.. I have never personally had the
    opportunity to meet Simon, but I feel a void and a sadness, and will be
    sending my thoughts to "him" and his family and friends.  
    
    		peace and light..
    
    			..jlg

     There are some people who's opinions you always seem to respect and
     who's answers you always trust. Even when you don't know them that
     well.

     Now there is one less.

          Saddened

    
    	... a long distance goodbye to a friend I never met, except
    through his generous help and comments. You'll be missed.
    	/john

    Dignity. That's what I remember. 

    I met Simon at a Noter's party at Gale's back in 1985. He and I chatted
    for a bit about network bandwidth. Met dtl for the first time at that
    party as well. 
    
    As an earlier noter remarked, simon::szeto was among the very few
    must-read noters.
    
    Happy trails, friend.
    
    /kh

    I knew Simon for about 14 years and our work paths have crossed a
    number of times.  Simon was truly the epitome of the role model that
    all of us should be looking up to.  After the last 28 notes, it is hard
    to say anything unique.  But, I will miss Simon and seeing him around.

I was privileged to work with Simon back in the old RSTS V6 days.  Simon was--
well, what can I add.  He will be deeply missed by me.  We've lost a great
leader and a great friend.

Mary

    All,
    I met Simon in 1976 and ended up working for him thru one
    of the reorgs. He always treated me sincerely as a fellow
    human.  One of my last long conversations with him ended with
    him assuring me that 'We are getting better...hang in there.'
    
    Im sure it will take a little bit longer now.
    
    N

I remember having my office moved to a location adjacent to his group.  It
was very lonesome and the rest of my group was to follow, which never happened.
I was the "odd man out" for over 6 months.  Simon dropped by many a time, just
to aleviate my feelings of isolation.

Those and other brief encounters will always be held close,

I hope we meet again,

Bill

To paraphrase a Peter Rowen song,

With Simon, noone ever felt "Old and in the way"

    I never met Simon, except via notes and email.  All I can add is that
    his departure diminishes us all.  What a reminder of how fragile life
    is, and how we must never take it for granted.
    
    steve

I think this is a very fitting place to share Simon's passing, Andy. He had a 
great respect for this medium - he relied on it to share his wisdom and 
himself for so many years ... and how many of us he touched ..

lance

Re .37

It's interesting to consider, but with this corporate culture, the wisdom is
still here, for those in the future to benefit from as they explore the old,
musty halls of notedom.

    
    Would someone going to the funeral please extract these notes, do a
    suitable edit job on them and make sure that Simons widow gets them.
    
    I work in the same group that Simon worked in until his death. I 
    personally had minimal dealings withhim but he was one of the good
    guys.
    
    We here in the U.K. part of the group won't be able to make the funeral
    but knowing his family will get a copy of all these replies eases the
    collective conscience a bit
    
    Thanks
    
    Rich
    

For those of you who want to send cards, Simon's wife's address is:

Rita Szeto
14 Hassell Rd
Merrimack, NH 03054

    Incidentally, for old timers, I phoned Didier (dtl) earlier today. He
    shares our shock and grief. 
    
    dtl sends his love to us all at this sad time.
    
    /andy

    
    It's really difficult to read these notes without crying, but I 
    thought I'd share that I spoke with Rita, Simon's widow, a bit
    earlier this evening.  She's been very touched by all the love
    and kindness Simon's friends at Digital have expressed directly
    and indirectly to her.
    
    Peter posted Rita's address.  I'm sure Rita would treasure any
    cards or notes Simon's NOTES friends would send to her.  
    
    It's so special to know how many of us were touched by Simon's
    work and Simon's caring.

    I too met Simon back in the DittyBag days.  Although I didn't meet
    him in person until I became involved in supporting VAX Notes at
    the CSC.  He and I exchanged mail often, I have even taken over
    moderator responsibilities from him on several conferences -- what
    shoes to fill!
    
    We've met on occasions, his mannerisms were that of a gentleman
    in the classic fashion!  I've often asked his opinion on topics
    ranging from VMS internals to teaching chinese-speaking students
    to favorite recipes.  Of all the many people I've met at Digital,
    he was (and will be) a good friend, a mentor and an inspiration
    of the "true" Digital Culture.
    
    $
    
    (Buck Trayser)

    I was Simon's secretary for a short time.  I did not get the chance
    to know him well.  This is my misfortune.  I always admired his
    "calm amid the storm" attitude, as well as his extreme professionalism.
    
    I will pull off the notes for Rita and family...I am sure she will
    be touched.
    
    

	I've lost a personal long-time friend. I remember a bunch of us
	sitting in the ZK cafe MANY years ago talking about "The New
	Notes Project" and what was needed. Simon was there, calmly and
	behind the scenes, leading us in the right direction. Those and
	many other more personal memories are mine to cherish. Simon is
	a good man and it's nice to see all his friends remembering him
	so fondly. 

	I hope to see many of the old crowd Thursday.

							mike

    Like many, I only knew Simon electronically  (in dittybag) for years
    until I finally met him. He invited me into his home, like I was a
    life long friend.
    
    While our religious views differed, he always struck me as one to very
    much respect the differing views of others. May your deity care for
    you, as you cared for others, Simon.
    
    To Rita, and the kids, my deepest condolences.
    
    
    Peter Quodling.

    Everyone's comments so aptly capture Simon: a gentleman and a
    consummate engineer.  I was privileged to work with him twice: first in
    the RSTS group and again in the User Engineering Group.  Though
    nominally his boss, I feel in retrospect that I learned far more from
    him than he probably learned from me.
    

    I now know something of Simon's death.  Pardon me for not having
    precise medical facts, but I'll tell you what I've heard the best I
    can.  The autopsy showed that Simon had significant heart damage due to
    some long-standing "silent" heart disease.  It's apparently unlikely
    that he knew of the problem and it apparently is not easily detectable
    with normal medical checkup procedures.

    Simon was my host manager while I had been working in ZKO for one and 
    half years. He solved any relocation issues without delay. I still 
    clearly remember his smile when I visited his office with my wife to say 
    good-bye before I left U.S. It was only two and half months ago... I just 
    can't believe it...

    Satoshi

    Well, I never met Simon personally, nor indeed did I really have much
    to do with him in work, but, I do believe that NOTES has been, is, and
    will be central to Digital, and the culture we still cling to. Clearly,
    we all owe the man a great deal, clearly his efforts have played a
    large part in pulling a widespread, multi-national, multi-cultural
    company, into one "family". The fact that there is still some semblance
    of a family left is a testament to the roles such people have played. I
    remember seeing his name, along with that of Martin Minow, from way
    back in RSTS V6.3B days....
    
    My sympathies to his family.
    
    Laurie Brown.

    I just returned from a short vacation and have been catching up on
    notes, technical and non technical. There as usual was Simon helping
    people out. I've just spent a half an hour reading these replies and
    I am still shocked and very sad. I met Simon a few times while I
    worked in the MILL a number of years back. I cannot remember the 
    number of times that he guided me in the proper direction concerning
    some obscure technical problem. This had continued since through notes
    files, man the guy was everywhere helping people.
    
    DEC has lost not only a great resource but a great man. Things haven't
    been the same around DEC for a few years now, they never will be now.
    
    Jim C.
    

    Simon was an example to us all. I will remember him by trying to be 
    more like he was. I shall miss him.
    
    
    Nigel Roberts
    Frankfurt, Germany

    I think the idea of a world-wide electronic wake probably has
    Simon grinning from ear to ear.

    Start a 'box up there Simon, I'll spend my time in purgatory
    in catch-up mode reading it.

	Mike

    As others I've known Simon since the days when Dittybag was the CSC's
    lifeline to CT engineering. I had the fortune of meeting him in person
    several times and can only echo all that's been said before.
    
    Amen.
    
    Mark Hyde
    Atlanta, GA

    I don't think I can add anything to what has been said before about
    Simon, but let me relate this anecdote: We lived in the same town, and
    his son, Greg, is about the same age as my daughter, Ester.
    
    Greg and Ester were in second grade together, and the teacher
    recognized them both as bright kids, so they taught each other
    arithmetic.  Greg skipped a grade and so entered high school a year
    ahead of Ester.  Throughout his high school career Greg was known as a
    high achiever; he graduated at or near the top of his class, and went
    to a good college.  While he was still in high school Ester told me
    that he was being teased because he got a "B" in a class---according to
    rumor, his first non-A.
    
    Being just as immature as my daughter, when I saw Simon in the 
    cafeteria after hearing this story I teased him about Greg getting a B.
    He assured me that this was an honors class, and getting a B in it was
    equivalent to an A in the regular class.  Of course I knew this
    already, and I confessed that I had just been teasing him.
    
    Simon and I were in the audience at a music camp a few years ago when
    Greg won a prize for musical achievment.  My daughter also attended
    the camp.
        John Sauter

    
    Szeto Simon struck me as a great Chinese emigrant, I learned from Simon 
    mostly from reading his notes in different conferences. Although I
    never spoke to him, I felt I've known him a lot for long time.
    
    My deepest condolence to his wife and family.
    
    Respectfully,
    Edwin Ouyang
    

      I first met Simon on a project we both worked on in the mid 1980's.
    
      Since then I have come across his notes in many places as he was
    helping people to move forward in various fields of endeavor.
    
      Simply put, he was a person of great faith and simple decency.
    
      He was always willing to share; knowledge, optimism and his time.
    
      In the current climate at Digital, where fear and uncertainty can
    cause people to close in rather than share, Simon's example should
    give us cause for hope.
    
      IMHO, a fitting memorial to Simon, here at Digital, would be for
    us to embrace his example and move forward as he would have sagely
    advised us in person or though NOTEs.
    
    Frank

    It is indeed sad that Simon, the person, is no longer with us.
    But it is a little comforting to know that his "electronic persona"
    still exists in many notes files and that he can still serve as
    an excellent example to the rest of us of a kind and truly gentle
    person.
    
    I knew him slightly, but always held him in high esteem.  In 1986, I
    think it was, that my son (then 9) and I encountered, Simon in an
    elevator at European Decus.  Aaron met and and talked with him only for
    a few moments but still remembers him.
    
    Goodby Simon.
    
    /s/ Jim Williams

       I'm still in shock... I knew Simon quite well during his RSTS days
    at the MKO facility. Simon epitomized the consummate DECie...
    
    						see you in the hereafter,
    									Bob
    

    I'm sorry if this is not an appropriate request at all. I've never met
    Simon, but like many others here have known him through notes and many
    other places (such as long distribution lists).  His name stood right
    out since it's a Chinese name (and it isn't even a common Chinese
    name), and you can tell the person is special from what he writes. Not
    having met him, I'd like very much to see what he looked like. If
    anyone has a scanned image or a picture (I can get it scanned), could
    you please mail me? Thanx.
    
    My deepest regrets to his family.
    
    Choy Heng-Wah

I am not an avid noter at all, but I am compelled to write a few words 
to pay my tribute to a person who had won much respect and admiration 
from so many of us in Digital as it can be testified from these notes.

From 1977 for two years, I was a part of the Headquarter of Software 
Services (a.k.a. HOSS) with Martin Minow, Mary Taymir, and others,
supporting RSTS/E and its language products.  Simon was the manager of
the RSTS/E Engineering Development Group.  To help provide better 
software services to the RSTS/E users in the field, Martin and I would 
join Simon's group, on a weekly basis, participating Simon's staff 
meetings.

I still remember very well the day when Martin introduced me to Simon 
first time I joined the meeting.  I remembered him that day as a
Chinese-American with a very strange two-syllable Chinese last name.
As I had become known him better, I became to know him simply as a 
fine software engineering manager who happened to be a Chinese-
American.

Under his leadership, we all enjoyed very much those weekly meetings.
Not only we were able to identify issues, and find resolutions to
solve them, these meetings helped cement a strong sense of 
camaraderie among the participants.  Of course, there were Mark,
Anton, Jim, and many other fine software engineers working together 
as a team in Simon's group.  Looking back, I felt very privileged to
being able to work with so many fine engineers Digital assembled.
Contrary to the popular belief, teamwork isn't new in Digital.  Under 
a competent, caring manager, it has been existent since those early 
dates.

I'm deeply saddened by his early departure from this world, but it
is comforting to know that Simon has left us, in Digital, an in-
delible mark of the meaning of "leadership" and "careness."  Let's,
each of us, carry on his exemplary role, and strive, each day, to 
make Digital a better place to work.  This should be a fine tribute
to his remembrance.

It was my privilege to work very closely with Simon when we were both in VMS
Development. A truly unique person of great integrity and decency. I can't
how sorry I am that he's gone.

	Richard.

    I've known Simon since my days as RSTS product manager, many years ago
    and have kept in communication with him ever since. In fact, I felt a
    strong need to communicate with him the Friday before his death and
    called him, just to make sure that he and his group were OK with respect
    to downsizing impacts and to discuss what the summer would bring to 
    Digital. I left a message on his voice mail and shortly thereafter, 
    received a brief VAXmail reply. Simon truly represented what decent 
    DEC folks want Digital to be: providers of superior solutions while 
    offering those solutions to customers with the highest degree of
    professional and personal integrity and with the requirement that DEC 
    folks truly respect and care about each other during the whole process 
    of product creation, sales, and support. Let's hope we can follow the 
    example that Simon has set for all these years!   Digital and the world,
    in general, need more Simons! 
    
    Final thoughts:
    
    I will miss being able to communicate with him and am happy that 
    so many had the opportunity to know him and to benefit from his 
    technical nurturing...The world was made better by his 
    time with us... His essential goodness is a treasured gift and will
    always be with us... For that I am grateful.
    
    Thank you, Simon. We love you dearly. 
                                                  

    I was truly saddened to learn of Simon's passing, because the world was
    a better place for his presence.  He was truly a gentleman, and quietly
    displayed virtue and a beneficent influence on those around him.
    
    I feel privileged to have known Simon.  I was fortunate enough to have
    worked with and for him on the Pro project, albeit not as long nor as
    closely as I now would wish.  I hope to carry his influence with me for
    the rest of my life, for I can think of no better or more fitting
    memorial than to strive to emulate his many positive qualities.
    
    As I reflect on the emotions of learning that Simon has passed on, it
    reminds me of an apparent incongruity during the memorial service for
    my own father, when we chose "Joy to the World" as a musical selection. 
    It was shortly before Christmas, that had been one of Dad's favorites,
    and we felt that he would not want us to let sadness overcome
    rejoicing.  When I remember Simon's wry humor and the twinkle in his
    eye I have to feel that he too would not want us to be consumed by the
    selfish sadness of our loss, but instead would want us to share the
    joy of living in righteousness as he did.  His body may have died, but
    not his spirit!

 It is a wonderful thing to have known Simon. This is why I feel I have to 
write this.

 I did not know him well but have known of him and have read him in various 
Conferences for around 10 years or so. I had exchanged both electronic and 
telephone conversations with him over the years, had met him in person on 
several occasions in both a professional capacity and in strictly social 
settings.

 He was the kind of person that one takes an instant liking to. I don't think 
he ever made a bad first impression. Unpretentious in both words and actions 
he was easy to talk to as well as fun to listen to and the great lengths he 
would go to to help you out I know I always appreciated. No question was ever 
to dumb to ask.

 I always enjoyed the surprise mail messages from him telling me what a charge 
he got out of reading some entry I'd entered in the first edition of SOAPBOX. 
He particularly liked the Chester stories I wrote.

 No matter how well or how little you knew him, you knew he was a special 
person. A special person in words, manner and how he treated others as being 
special people too. Truly a person who lived by the Golden Rule.

 Farewell Simon.

I had the opportunity to meet Simon at the (last) IDECUS Noters get-together.
He was great, and had quite a few Noters Tales to relate. 

I guess he can now start the new notes conf 

                             ... HEAVEN::HEAVEN ...

                                             as its prime moderator.

Adios Amigo, RIP,

John Potucek

    I had the great fortune to meet Simon at the Notes-11 retirement party. 
    He was such a great host that night.  I remember noticing his name when
    I first started using Notes.  Even before I knew who he was I new he
    was a special person.  Although I didn't interact with him much on a
    personal level, I will certainly miss his guidance.
    
    tom_p (trying to keep EASYNOTES.LIS up to his standards)

    Simon has been my manager for the past year +. He had just started a
    vacation that was to go for another 3 weeks. Even on vacation he was
    still logging in and contributing to notes, so I promply told him to
    get off the system and go play! I did not know till reading these
    responses how into notes he was.    
    
    I am still dealing with the shock of his death, as is the whole group.
    Reading all these notes is really helping me. Glad it was started!!  
    
    I can not add much to the character that others have depicted here
    except to say that I also found Simon to be very honest and supportive.
    Even though he was going on vacation he stop by to let me know if I
    needed anything to not hesitate and call him.  I knew he was sincere,
    it was not just an idle offer. Just wouldn't be his style!
    
    Thanks for all the talks Simon, your in good hands now!
    
    
       
    
    

    Like so many in this company, I never knew personally or met Simon,
    but on the other hand, I feel as if I knew him from his notes.  One
    always read notes headed SIMON::SZETO.
    
    His impact on people extended far beyond those he met or knew ...
    and that shows the importance of the person.  One didn't have to
    know him to have our lives influenced by him.
    
    We have all lost a friend.
    
    Stuart

    After reading all of these replies I feel truly privileged to not only
    have  known Simon since RSTS/E 6C but to have worked directly with him
    on a couple of occasions. 

    Our paths always seemed to cross from time to time and he was ALWAYS
    available  for a question....no matter how off-the-wall if was.  And
    his answer was  ALWAYS correct.
    
    I remember one time in the last year or so that I sent him a  note
    asking about something that implied I might be getting involved in the 
    subject matter (like where's SOAPBOX? :-))...and he not only answered
    the  question but gave me some advice in the form of.."you don't really
    want to get  involved with that do you?"

    ...that's the kind of person Simon was...he watched after his fellow
    man.
    Wherever he is now...They too will learn from Simon.

    /tb/
    

    Back in 1981, Simon interviewed a scared kid with a year and a half
    of experience doing small applications with no engineering rigor at
    all, and started asking about specs, review methods and disciplined
    methods.  Despite the answers that he got, Simon recommended me for a
    job, starting me on a journey of discovery with some of the greatest
    software developers of our age.  While our careers diverged soon
    thereafter, we crossed paths many times, and I always felt better off
    for the contact.
    
    Thank you, Simon, for taking a chance on me, and for providing such an
    excellent role model.  We can't replace you - all we can do to fill the
    gap is try to follow your example.
    
    - Chris

    Attached are Simon's obituary and death notice as published in the
    Nashua (NH) Telegraph on June 16, 1992.  

      Simon Szeto, 48, of 14 Hassell Road, Merrimack, died Saturday, June
    13, 1992, at St. Joseph Medical Park in Merrimack after a brief
    illness.
      Mr. Szeto was employed at Digital Equipment Corp. in Nashua and
    Acton, Mass., as a software manager.
      He was a member of Grace Baptist Church in Merrimack.
      Mr. Szeto was born in Hunan, China, on Oct. 15, 1943, son of
    Onward and Elsie (Wu) Szeto of Torrance, Calif.  He had lived in
    Merrimack for more than 14 years.
      Besides his parents, survivors include his wife, Rita (Chu) Szeto
    of Merrimack; two sons, Jonathan and Gregory Szeto, both of Merrimack;
    two brothers, Kenneth Szeto of White Plains, N.Y., and William Szeto of
    Houston; two sisters, Catherine Szeto of Edgewood, Md., and Julia
    Cheung of Torrance; and several nieces and nephews.
      The George R. Rivet Funeral Home in Merrimack is in charge of
    arrangements.

                                             

    SZETO - Died in Merrimack, NH June 13, 1992.  Simon Szeto, 48, of
    14 Hassell Rd., Merrimack.  Husband of Rita (Chu) Szeto.  Funeral
    service will be held Thursday at 10 a.m. in the Grace Baptist Church
    in Merrimack.  Friends may call at the GEORGE R. RIVET FUNERAL HOME,
    425 Main St., Merrimack, Wednesday evening from 7 to 9 p.m.  The family
    requests memorial contributions be made to the Grace Baptist Church in
    memory of Simon Szeto, P.O. Box 443, Merrimack, NH 03054.  George R.
    Rivet and Mark A. Rivet Funeral Directors.
                

    Unfortunately, I did not know Simon, but from all of thes wonderful
    comments I would have loved to ... I know what DEC standard policy is
    on notes, but it would be nice if this file were put in hard copy and
    sent to his wife.  Maybe a friend of the family could arrange this.
    
    Just a thought.  

    re: .74
    
    Andy Leslie posted a note in another conference stating Simon's
    secretary will be passing these notes along to his family.
    
    If anyone knows of other conferences (besides SOAPBOX, WOMANNOTES, and
    HUMAN_RELATIONS) where people have posted notes about Simon which
    should be passed on to his family, please post a pointer to the
    conference and note here so Michelle (Simon's secretary) will be able
    to locate them.

    
    Unluckly, I never known Simon, but from all your notes I can understand
    how wonderful was this man. He will have a wonderful place there!
    
    Carla 
    Rome Italy

        I am completely shocked.   .  .words just can't describe what
        I feel right now at the loss of Simon.  .  .
        
        Simon  and I had a  very  `unique'  electronic  relationship.
        Most of which was spent in  the  original ::SOAPBOX.  When we
        weren't  bantering  about certain gun laws or  laughing  over
        Corky Towles tales of his cat, Chester the Molester, we spent
        other time in the infamous note 204 displaying a fun sense of
        repartee.  Many of the originally  Boxers  remember that note
        and those times, well.
        
        At that time, I was only 20 or 21 years  old.   Simon was one
        of the first that sent me mail and asked me if  I wanted some
        help with  noting.    (Gotta'  admit, I was fairly green with
        such a new concept at that  time.) We exchanged a fair amount
        of mail, anywhere from idle chit chat  to  information  about
        notes  or questions/answers.  Over the past few  years  since
        that  time,  I've aged eight years and have learned alot more
        and I  would  have  to thank Simon for that inspiration.  The
        mail became less frequent as it once had, but he had become a
        friend and not just  an  acquaintance.   Although I never met
        the man, I had a fondness  for him because of his inspiration
        for me to want to learn more and  do  more  in  the  computer
        field.  I only wish I could've thanked him in person. . .
        
        Sleep well my friend and peace be with you. . .
        
        Matt

    I had the pleasure of working a bit with Simon in the early 80's on
    P/OS and POSette issues, and have always enjoyed meeting him in the
    hallway or wherever. I can add very little to what has already been
    said he other than to agree with it all.
    
    It seems to me that Simon has more than earned the honor of being
    remembered by having a conference room named for him in one of the
    facilities that he frequented. Does anyone know how this process
    would be accomplished and want to run with the ball?
    
    Saddened and with deep regrets,
    
    Bill
    

Whenever I ran up against problems with notes that we at CXO couldn't solve, 
I would contact Simon.  Sometimes we would correspond via VAXmail but more 
than likely it would be over the phone.  He was a very likeable and easy-going 
person.  I will miss him.  Rest in Peace, Simon.

Judy Kilgore
Colorado Springs

	... Spitbrook Road complex ought to bear his name!  Or at least 1
building!

	BTW, could someone phonetically demonstrate the name "Szeto"?  I can't
look at it but what I think "says-to".  For the longest time, I though
"SIMON::SZETO" was someone's network prank! :>)

    FYI, Simon's introduction topic in WRU is topic 5. There he says
    that Szeto is pronounced seeto.
    
    See SSDEVO::DISK$RAID_USER:[NOTES]WHOAREYOU topic 5 for more updates.
    I include is origional (from Oct 1985) introduction below.
    
    		Alfred
    
             <<< SSDEVO::DISK$RAID_USER:[NOTES]WHOAREYOU.NOTE;2 >>>
                       -< Worldwide Noters Registry II >-
================================================================================
Note 5.0                         Simon S. Szeto                        7 replies
2CHARS::SZETO                                        46 lines   2-OCT-1985 22:08
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Time to update my WHOAREYOU entry anyway...

Name:             Simon Siangming Szeto (pronounced seeto)
Office location:  Merrimack, New Hampshire
Home location:    Merrimack, New Hampshire
Job title:        Software Engineering Manager
Department:       User Engineering Group, Small Business Engineering
What we do:

    Right now, I'm finishing up a product called Rainbow Connection
    Software.  This product connects Rainbow computers to DEC multi-
    user systems, and provides terminal emulation and file transfer. 
    
    User Engineering's main focus this fiscal year is to produce total
    (hardware+software) systems to sell to small law firms. 
    
How long at DEC:  Since January, 1976
Previous jobs: 
    
    I have been in the User Engineering Group almost two years.
    Before that, I worked in the PRO group for a little over two
    years.  My first 5+ years with DEC was with the RSTS group.
    
    Before I joined DEC, I worked at Inforex, and before that at
    Datatrol, where I was a RSTS V4 user.  (That was 12+ years ago.)
    And before that, for 5 years, I was a PDP-7 programmer at the
    Education Research Center at M.I.T., working on computer-
    generated films.

Personal data:

Marital status:   Married to Rita Szeto
Children:         Jonathan (age 15), Gregory (age 12)
Age:              41 (will be 42 this month)
Height:           5' 9" (175 cm)
Weight:           167 lb (76 kg)
Hair color:       Black
Eye color:        Brown
Citizenship:      U.S.A.
Place of birth:   Siangtan, Hunan, China
Education:        Bachelor of Science (Physics major)
                  class of 1965, Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois
Religion:         member of Grace Baptist Church, Merrimack, New Hampshire
Interests:        choral singing, music (particularly Classical and Baroque
                  periods), and reading Science Fiction and Fantasy.
                  Lately, of course, my reading material is mostly notes files.
    

           <<< HELIX::SYSTEM_AUX:[NOTES$LIBRARY]OTHER_STUFF.NOTE;1 >>>
                                -< OTHER_STUFF >-
================================================================================
Note 207.186                  Things to Hate Today                    186 of 186
HELIX::SONTAKKE                                      35 lines  16-JUN-1992 10:37
                           -< What a terrible loss >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Yesterday I came in my office and had to do lot of work.
    After reading my mail and seeing the news about Simon Szeto made me sick 
    to my stomach.  
    
    That man was the ideal person I have had the pleasure to know and to
    work for during my earlier days.  He epitomized what DEC used to be
    when I started.  
    
    Now I don't remember the reason but, once and only once, Simon raised
    his voice.  Normally the extremely noisy CTAB (P/OS) group on MLO5-5 got so
    silent that you could hear the PRO-350 fans churning in the background. 
    Someone had to be completely bone-headed to cause Simon to become
    upset.
    
    I still have warm memories of early woods meetings for the design of
    P/OS V3.0.  With Simon's presense, charm and wit, those meetings
    were lot smoother.  And how can we ever forget lunches and dinner
    parties at Royal Mandarin, Marlboro and in Chinatown??  Those will
    never be the same without him.
    
    Simon was the instrumental force behind the NOTES since its early
    conception.  Simon was always there to help anyone who needed any kind
    of help.  He was like that until the last moment.  His knowledge was
    vast and extensive and never ever he came across as anything but gentle
    and friendly throughout his encounters with others, be they face to
    face or electronically.  If you want to know how to conduct youself in
    every facet of your life, he was your idol. Once I came across his son
    in Merrimack.  I also saw his son's great accomplishments as he
    graduated in local paper.  I was so proud to tell my wife that I know
    his father!
    
    In my mind, his passing away symbolizes DEC's bleak future like nothing
    else could.
    
    Why him?  Why him??  Why him???
    
    - Vikas

    	Since Martin Minow SERPed, I'm wondering if anyone has
    	contacted him? I feel certain he'd want to know.
    
    	Scott

>    	Since Martin Minow SERPed, I'm wondering if anyone has
>    	contacted him? I feel certain he'd want to know.
    
    Martin has been contacted. In fact he was the one who posted an
    announcement of all this on comp.os.rsts for those in cyberspace
    outside of Digital.
    
    		Alfred

    I never had the privilege of meetng Simon Szeto in person, which I
    consider a great loss.  However, I do know something of him through his
    work and his notes, and have great respect for his knowledge, ability
    and compassion.  DEC is very much poorer for his passing.
    
    If there is a heaven, Simon Szeto is there.
    
    Ken Ruskin
    

Were it not for Simon, I would not be here.  Without Simon, I would not be
who I am.  I am not alone.

    My first contact with Simon came 15 years ago when I was hired by DEC
    in Minneapolis and I needed RSTS/E help.  I was the typical young thorn
    in his side.
    
    Through the years he'd remember to keep me updated on things, included
    on distribution lists, and most amazing to me - send me words of
    encouragement when I was down and depressed writing in conferences I
    had no idea he was reading.
    
    oh that I could be just a little like him.
    
    Truly sad today.
    "jackin' the house", Bob

    Simon was truly a part of what made Digital a good place to work, 
    and he will be missed, but the imprint of his ideas and style will remain 
    in the fabric.
    
    bill

    My sympathies to Simon's family and friends.  He was a good man.
    
    
    Dermot O'Sullivan, Dublin, Ireland.

    	Just in case Anton Chernoff and Mark Bramhall have not been
    	contacted about Simon's death, would someone please do so. I'm
    	sure that they would want to know. Mark is travelling
    	and according to his mail-reply note, he is not reading his
    	mail this week. I don't know where Anton is now. I would try 
        to contact Anton and Mark myself, but am leaving my office now to 
        go to Ukraine and will not be able to track people down easily from
    	there as the phone system there is not too reliable yet.
    
    	Thanks very much.
                         

     I have know Simon for most of my five years in Digital.  Until
     Saturday, he was my direct line supervisor.  He and I worked
     together in ABSS for almost three years.

     I'm taking it OK now.  But Monday night I woke up in the middle
     of the night and couldn't get back to sleep.  I kept thinking of
     him and all we've been through.

     Every now and then it just hits me that he's really gone. 
     Monday evening I was feeling depressed.  Since it was about work
     (indirectly), the thought started to form in my head that I
     should call my manager, as I have so many times in the past.
     That's when I really started to feel the loss.

     Just after I met him, he was assigned to Hong Kong and I to
     Tokyo in the respective offices of ABSS.  During business trips
     he and I spent many hours one on one, both during and outside
     work, discussing everything from development strategy to the
     phonemic content of Cantonese vs English.  We shared a love of
     classical music, and languages, but he was far more educated
     than I in both areas.  He was incredibly well versed in
     linguistics.  I wish I could remember a tenth of what he told me
     on this topic.

     Despite differing views on politics and religion, we talked at
     length on both subjects without contention, because he was so
     considerate of the opinions and feelings of others.  I remember
     how he indulged my meager attempts to construct Cantonese
     sentences, correcting the tones and pronunciation over and over
     again.  And on more than one occaision I had to ask him the
     meaning of an English (!) word I had never heard.

     And as others have said before, he had a subtle sense of humor
     that was never cruel, but could give just the right comic relief
     to a tense situation.

     Most recently, he stopped off here in the Seattle area to see me
     on the way back from Hong Kong, to make sure things were working
     out OK.   He spent the evening at my home, again talking about
     our favorite subjects.   If I only knew it would be among my
     last hours with him ...

     I miss him.

      F. Avery Bishop

    I'll make sure Mark Bramhall gets the news.  Right now
    he's in Beijing.

    Thank you all for your inputs.  The book is finished and on its way
    "to press".  I am sure Rita will enjoy sharing in your fond memories.
    
    Best Regards,
    
    Michelle O'Handley
    ISE Secretary

    Thanks for your work Michelle.
    
    
    John

    Anton was notified in the original distribution and has done his part
    in spreading the sad news.  Thanks for remembering those people that
    are not in direct contact with all of us.
    
    /tb/

What I can say...

I know him since ABSS group was established. He helped me a lot when I was 
relocated to Nashua. 

8000 miles prevents me attending the funeral. sigh.

I'm sure he has a lot of friends all over the world.

Hiro           from Yokohama, Japan

    This is Mark Bramhall entering a note from the Beijing office. I did
    get the original message from Doug Maclean about Simon's death as I
    have been able to check my mail from time to time from here in Beijing.
    I did not know that there was a note about his death in this notes file
    (it is a notes file I do not usually follow).
    
    I knew Simon from the RSTS/E days. While Anton Chernoff was the
    original motivation behind the RT-11 run-time system for RSTS/E, Simon
    was the motivation for the RSX run-time system. Simon used to joke that
    his code was not very good; that he was "doomed" to only progress as a
    manager. Of course, he did progress. And, not only as a manager, but as
    a teacher for many and as a contributor to many projects as well as
    notes files.
    
    I don't know what more I can say...

I had the pleasure of meeting Simon at an ISE meeting in Hong Kong after
"missing" him on various trips I made to the U.S.  I was dismayed to hear the
news and realised how much a part of the conferences I follow he was (and is) 
as I was catching up on "notes" after being out of the office.

I kept coming across SIMON::SZETO in the unseen notes I hadn't read that he
had been putting in Saturday evening.  It was very moving.

I will remember all the linguistics discussions we had.

My deepest regrets to his family.

Cheryl Bettels

    People may want to know that the Digital flag at Spitbrook is flying at
    half mast today.

    
    All of the noters who weren't able to attend will be happy to
    learn that Rita Szeto asked Sonja Israel to read some excerpts
    from the notes that have been posted in Simon's memory.  Rita
    mentioned to me later that she felt the Digital messages were
    as important as the minister's words in summing up Simon's life.
    
    The church was overflowing, and so many of Simon's Digital and
    ex-Digital friends joined family and church members in saying
    goodbye.  Each of us left with a red rose to remember this goodbye.
    

Just got back from Simon's funeral. Personally, the most poignant moment 
was when the pastor read a note just received from DEC-Israel stating 
that DEC-Israel (don't recall the site) planted ten trees in honor of 
Simon.

Thank you, DEC-Israel, for a class act.

    Also back from the funeral, as Roseann and Hai said a very moving
    time.   The people from DEC Israel planted the 10 tree in Jerusalem,
    a fitting place for the honor.
    
    As I said to Simon's wife Rita, he was a calming influence in times
    of stress.   It's most important to have people like that at all
    times but especially now.
    
    During the service my mind went back 2 and 6 years to Don White's
    and Jack Cranston's funerals, both who also provided calm in the
    storm.
    
    We all need to make it work now between people and the business 
    piece will follow.
                                   

    Roseann - my thanks for letting us know the name of the lady who so
    poignantly read some of the thoughtful words from this notes file, and
    put so beautifully into her own words what I know many of us at the
    funeral were feeling.  Sonja - thank you.
    
    I rarely read NOTES, but had the great privilege of meeting Simon years
    ago when he first joined the RSTS team, and of working with him for
    several years.  My memories aren't of NOTES, but of Simon and Rita
    leading 2 small children to the 1st Annual RSTS picnic, of Simon
    delicately answering sometimes inane user questions at DECUS, and of a
    kind man who was always there to offer advice.  My red rose is now
    attached firmly to my poster of the RSTS 20th Birthday Party, and my
    task for the evening is to find and look once more at old pictures of
    Simon and the RSTS crew.
    
    Nancy  (RSTS Version 6A through 8....)

    Like many others of you, my red rose will be in my office with my
    antique RSTS buttons.  When things get to be too much, I'll remember
    those days back in the 70's when Simon made coming to work such fun.
    
    Mary
    

Others in previous replies have expressed far more eloquently than I can the
deep friendship that I held for Simon and the sadness that I feel at his
passing.  I've known him since the earliest days of NOTES.  Of all the NOTES
community, I know of noone more willing to help others.  It's still hard to
believe that he's gone.

--PSW

Thanks for showing me how to sing bass in choir with you even
though I was a tenor.  Rita and my wife and I will have to wait before
we can sing any more quartets with you.

Thanks for teaching me how a gentleman cares for people, helps
people, loves people.

Thanks for being a role model at work, at church, at home, always
reflecting Christ's love.

See you soon...

Bill

As I have only now received news of this tragedy, I feel compelled to add 
words...if only I knew what to say.

I never took the opportunity to meet Simon Szeto.  Perhaps I could have met
him, had I gone to the trouble of tracking him down on any of the few trips 
I have made to that area.  Perhaps I thought I didn't want to bother him as
I was but only a name that he may not even know; someone that respected his
noting wisdom but didn't think he'd wish to be bothered by a visit from 
someone whom he'd had no previous dealings with and may not have in the 
future.  Perhaps I was wrong...

While I don't know that Simon knew who I was, I believe I can say I knew
a great deal about who he was.  And though I never met him or conversed 
directly with him, I know that he, even indirectly, had a impact on me as 
an individual.

I am both stunned and saddened by the sudden death of Simon Szeto.  

Simon, I wish you God speed...

Andrew (-Andy) Mitcham
Atlanta CSC

PS: Someone in an earlier reply requested a picture be scanned in of Simon.
    I would like to second that request.  I never met this man and I would
    like to know what he looked like.  If someone would be so kind and do 
    this (or provide a picture that I might scan in and post) I would 
    appreciate it.

    I'll see what I can do about scanning in Simons picture on Monday or
    Tuesday when I'm back in the UK.
    
    For me to be at Simons funeral was an honour. DEC was incredibly well
    represented and those not there should know that excerpts from this
    topic and the similar one in SOAPBOX were read during the eulogy - is
    this the first time that COLON-COLON has been said in a eulogy? Simon
    would have been smiling.....
    
    I'm very grateful to have have had the opportunity of knowing this fine
    man. His impact upon us all was there yesterday, a church filled to
    overflowing with his family, friends and colleagues, paying tribute to
    a consummate gentle man.
    
    Rest In Peace, friend.

    After providing pointers to this string in several conferences, I
    should include my own memories of Simon.
    
    Like most of us, I first "met" Simon electronically.  I always assumed
    his name was Eastern European, perhaps Czech, so when I finally did
    meet Simon (only once, at the first noter's party I believe) I was
    surprised to discover he was not European.  
    
    In all my dealings with Simon, he was a true gentleman.  His patience
    and goodwill appeared infinite, and his humor was gentle and pervasive.
    
    I will miss his presence.
    
    					andrew

    Having posted my own thoughts by mail to someone who I knew would be
    attending the services, as I read the responses here, another thought
    comes to me.  Part of what many of us learned from Simon was that a
    kindly response to a message or request was the default (or should be). 
    That spirit of treating folks as members of a team, however loosly
    defined, and the sense that there is some family in what is shared - it
    came with no strings.  For those that only interacted with Simon
    electronically (maybe prefaced with the "this is probably a dumb
    question..." disclaimer), we learned that he didn't regard them as
    "dumb" or annoying, and that if he could help, he certainly would.
    
    This is a narrow view - my experience was limited.  But the sense of
    how people could treat other people, and the way Simon personified that
    spirit, is much wider and long lasting.
    
    We will miss your voice.
    
    Irene

    >   I always assumed
    >   his name was Eastern European, perhaps Czech, so when I finally did
    >   meet Simon (only once, at the first noter's party I believe) I was
    >   surprised to discover he was not European.
    
    I was also very surprised to learn that he was Oriental (see my name,
    Hungarian, btw).
    
    I've never met the man, nor have I ever had any electronic
    communication directly, but I have a sense that, in my 15 years here at
    DEC, we've probably "crossed paths".  I have read some of his notes,
    and the general tone of each, you knew he was a respectable person.  As
    fast as the old DEC "culture" is disappearing, obviously, a huge chunk
    of that culture left with his passing...
    
    John
    

    I am also sad to see a fine and respected person lost to us. Someone 
mentioned naming a conference room in his honor, something I would second. 
Spitbrook facilities ought to be able to do this with little or no problem. 

    I think it would also be appropriate to "retire" SIMON:: as a node 
name......I can't imagine seeing anyone else using it with the grace and 
style that SIMON::SZETO used it....

    Rest in Peace, Simon.....

    	Vic H

    
    It's certainly up to Andy, but I'd vote to keep SIMON:: very much
    alive but tranfer the node name to Andy Leslie.  Just as Andy's
    son is keeping alive the spirit as Simon's namesake, so too could
    SIMON::LESLIE.
    
    

    As said in .20 and so many others, the header SIMON::SZETO indicated
    a note to be read.
    
    He will be missed, but never forgotten. The value he added to our
    company will always be there.
    
    Thank You, Simon...

    Peace

    Re:114
    
    Here, here, I agree. You could not honor a person anymore, than by
    having his node name be passed on to a person that would keep the,
    if you want to call it, the aura of the person that so many people
    want to remember. It seems that Simon was an extroordinary (sp)
    person, that a lot of us should emulate. 
    
    	I have read all these notes, about Simon, I feel that I have missed
    meeting this wonderful person. At the same time, I feel from reading
    these notes about Simon, I have met him in spirit. This will be good
    enough for me. I look forward to meeting this wonderful person in the
    hearafter. It is something that I can put in the back of my mind and
    look forward to, sometime in the future. Sometime waiting is good.
    
    For those of you people that have met Simon, you have experienced
    something that those of us that have not met Simon, can look forward
    too.
    
    Simon's memory will live in all of us. Hopefully we can use this memory
    to help Digital and our own lives.
    
    RIP - Until the future, Dave
    

    
    
    I feel like I just attended my very first "electronic wake".
    
    Welcome to your New Life on the other side, Simon.
    
    
    Bill Slater
    Colorado Springs, CO

We'll miss you Simon.

- greg

I first met Simon over 15, maybe almost 20 years ago in the mill, I
think he was in the RSTS/E group back then.  I remember him as one
of the most hard-working conscientious people I have ever met.  He
must have made a lasting impression on me, as I can still remember
exactly how he looked even though I haven't seen him for at least 10
years.  Rest in peace, Simon.

Bob Paulson, now in Hannover Germany

Simon's sister Cathy gave me this last Friday to enter for her:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

I am Simon's sister.  I just wanted to express my thanks to all of you
who sent messages about my brother.

I knew I had a terrific brother.  I idolized him as a child, fought
with him as a teen, and appreciated him for who he was as an adult.  I
knew he was extremely helpful and considerate.  I just never knew that
there were so many people in the whole world who had such respect and
affection for him.

Thank you all for the tributes that you expressed, and all the
messages of condolences and concern to the family.  Though we all
grieve deeply at his absence, we believe that he is in an infinitely
better place.  Though we are sad that he is not here with us in flesh,
we know that he is happy in the presence of his Savior.

Also, SIMON::SAYS please go and have your cholesterol fractions
checked, get off that monitor, and go and exercise moderately!     [:-)]

                Cathy Szeto

Rita asked me to mention that any contributions made to the church on
Simon's behalf would be going to the music program (especially the
sound system).  Music was and is a big part of their lives.  Many of
us heard Simon's sister Cathy and his son Greg play the piano at the
funeral.  The postlude Greg played while we got our roses was the
piece he accompanied Simon when he sang for the last time less than
a month ago.

I'll repeat the address although it appeared in a previous note:

	Grace Baptist Church
	P.O. Box 443
	Merrimack, NH  03054

Bill

Having not been in this conference for about 2 weeks, reading this was a big
shock for me.  In my 11 years at Digital, I never met Simon face to face.  But 
I still feel I knew him quite well and, like many others have expressed here, 
I respected him.  I just regret that I won't get to tell him that... 

-  David

I just returned from a business trip and discovered the news about Simon
in another conference.  I've been sitting here speechless for about an
hour...I'm just barely coming out of the shock.

Simon was a 15-year aquaintance who, though I barely knew him, I counted
as a friend.  We hadn't seen each other in a number of years, but
like many in this note we had maintained electronic contact.  Quite
recently Simon mentioned in some mail that we should get together on one
of my trips back east.  Sadly that will never be.

Hal

Simon has touched all of us.  If we could only be half the human being
that he was, the world would be a lot better off.  

Till we meet again,

	- mark

        I never met Simon, but, upon reading about his death the
        weekend he passed away, I knew we, here at DEC, lost someone
        we wished we still had.

        In a way, though, we still do.  As every one of these notes
        has expressed, Simon was very special.  Many talk about his
        unique way of dealing with people, the sparkle in his eye,
        his patience with others and his manner in helping people
        learn.

        As the flower dies, it leaves behind seeds which will take root
        and sprout the following season -- creating many more beautiful
        flowers.

        Simon was but one of these flowers.  We, who have been touched
        by him, who admire who he was and what he did, are those seeds.

        Now, it is our turn to brighten and beautify this world in which
        we live and work by taking this heritage and doing something with
        it!

        I've been through the loss of family members and know how difficult
        the grieving process can be.  Maybe because I didn't know Simon 
        personally, the following thoughts come to me more easily -- I'm not
        caught up in the 'grieving.'

        With the many problems our company is facing, the changes, and unkown
        challenges which lie ahead, many, it seems, are relating Simon's death
        to the loss of "the old DEC."  This was a time of stability and 
        comfort.  The same feeling one had when in Simon's company.
    
        The challenge which we all face is this:  If Simon truly exemplified
        what the "old DEC" was like and things today are not perceived to be
        how DEC should be -- do something about it!  Take "the torch" Simon
        has passed you and make this place into what it should be.  Remember,
        your are the seeds of the 'new' DEC.

        Naming a conference room in ZK after him would be nice.  Keeping his
        node around wouldn't be bad either ... but the best way to remember
        him is to LIVE like him.  Only then will Simon's spirit truly remain.

            Ron 

Looks like we'll beat you to it. We have some new conference rooms being set
up here, and the "Szeto Room" nameplate has been ordered.
								- Ian W.

I first met Simon in 1969 when I walked into the ERC at MIT as a freshman...he
was always at the PDP-7 in this ratty old office in the oldest building there.
The lights were always dimmed, as he or one of his assistants were peering into
the shroud of an old graphics scope.

He was involved in an experimental educational program for freshfolks; he worked
hand-in-hand with inexperienced students on his project. I remember him putting
his foot down when midnight spacewar sessions started eating too much of the 7's
(and the graphics scope's) time - he started charging the whopping fee of 50
cents/hour for its use (proceeds went to the group party fund.)

When I arrived at Digital in '84, I noticed his name in one of the notesfiles and
dashed off a note. He welcomed me to Digital and we reminisced electronically for
a while. I never got a chance to see him again...

I will pass the news on to as many of the old group that I'm in touch with,
particularly Emile Millet and Paul Pangaro (who worked most closely with him.)

John Ritz

My regular node is down this morning so I fired up notes from this node
using an infrequently utilized NOTES$NOTEBOOK.NOTE file. I opened this
conference and the first unseen note was by SIMON::SZETO...

Indeed, Simon lives on (on earth) in VAXnotes.

Lee

	What follows are two usenet news messages regarding Simon. The
	first is Martin Minow's announcement. comp.os.rsts is a bit
	quiet these days. I don't know what other news groups this may
        have come up in.

			Alfred
=======================================================================

Article 369 of comp.os.rsts:
Path: nntpd2.cxo.dec.com!nntpd.lkg.dec.com!news.crl.dec.com!deccrl!bloom-beacon!micro-heart-of-gold.mit.edu!wupost!darwin.sura.net!haven.umd.edu!purdue!bu.edu!olivea!decwrl!decwrl!claris!apple!minow
From: minow@Apple.COM (Martin Minow)
Newsgroups: comp.os.rsts
Subject: Sad News
Message-ID: <68821@apple.Apple.COM>
Date: 17 Jun 92 04:38:15 GMT
Organization: Apple Computer Inc., Cupertino, CA
Lines: 11

It is my sad duty to announce that Simon Szeto, who was one of the
central programmers of RSTS/E in the "6B" and "V7" days died suddenly
last Saturday (June 13) while bicycling near his home. The family has
asked that a memorial donation be made to his church in lieu of flowers.
The funeral will be held on Thursday, June 18, at 10:00 AM at
	Grace Baptist Church
	67 Bedford Rd.
	Merrimack, NH 03054

Martin Minow
minow@apple.com



Article 371 of comp.os.rsts:
Path: nntpd2.cxo.dec.com!nntpd.lkg.dec.com!news.crl.dec.com!deccrl!caen!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!news
From: kurtzman@pollux.usc.edu (Stephen Kurtzman)
Newsgroups: comp.os.rsts
Subject: Re: Sad News
Date: 21 Jun 1992 08:54:46 -0700
Organization: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Lines: 19
Sender: kurtzman@pollux.usc.edu (Stephen Kurtzman)
Message-ID: <l499i6INNbu9@pollux.usc.edu>
References: <68821@apple.Apple.COM>
NNTP-Posting-Host: pollux.usc.edu

In article <68821@apple.Apple.COM> minow@Apple.COM (Martin Minow) writes:
>It is my sad duty to announce that Simon Szeto, who was one of the
>central programmers of RSTS/E in the "6B" and "V7" days died suddenly
>last Saturday (June 13) while bicycling near his home.

I had the pleasure of working for Simon on the V7 project back in the
late 70's.  He was competent, hard working, good natured, and he cared
about the people working on the project as well as caring about the
project itself -- this a combination of qualities that is all too
rare. Although I've worked for a lot of people since that time, Simon
is still the best boss I've ever had.

Simon's passing is very sad news.

-- 

Stephen Kurtzman             | "where desire writhed there stands a stone;
kurtzman@pollux.usc.edu      |  the change was sudden and complete"
                             |                              -- Maggie Roche

    re: .114 et al and prompted by some mail this week.
    
    I think that it'd be inappropriate to "permanently retire" the nodename
    SIMON::. Also, I have all the nodenames I need right now.
    
    Frankly, I'd reckon that Simon would've preferred that the nodename was
    reused in the usual manner.
    
    So, eventually, node SIMON:: will go away. Anyone who takes it will
    quickly discover the mantle they are assuming.
    
    /andy

    On Thursday afternoon I will receive a photograh of Simon and a hand
    written note from Rita. Rita has requested that we scan these in and
    make the location of the .PS file known here. 
    
    I do not currently have access to a scanner and the image software. Can
    someone in ZK who does help out? 
    
    I would prefer to put the file on one or more of the distribution
    machines. BULOVA and the standard VMS distribution machines would be
    most appropriate, Simon was always active in advertising kit
    availability from these machines. Can someone who knows how to get the
    files to this set of machines reply or send me mail. I always used to
    ask Simon when I had large files to make public.
    
    Tim

    Mike Star::foley knows how to get at Bulova, and is such a hardware
    hound, that he can probably find a scanner, if you talk to him nicely..
    
    q
    

    Mike's address is STAR::MFOLEY. Cathy Foley is very used to getting his
    mail, but prefers it is sent to him direct.
    
    Sorry about not scanning in a picture, I've had a lot on my plate.
    
    Thanks Tim,
    
    Andy

    I haven't felt this sad in a long, long time.
    
    Like many, I met the "Mad Hungarian" through Notes back in the CT
    days, and we've bumped into each other at various Notes parties
    in the distant past.
    
    "Gentleman engineer" is an apt description of the man indeed, for he
    had all the qualities of both.
    
    
    - dave

    We have received a letter from Rita, with a photograph of Simon.
    A transcript of the letter is in the next reply. The original and
    the photograph are being scanned in and I will make the location known
    here.
    
    Tim

To Simon's friends and colleagues at DEC 

Dear Friends:

    If I may call you friends. Words fail to describe my feelings on your
outpouring of love and concern for us and the high esteem accorded to Simon.
The entire Szeto family is deeply touched and humbled.

    Simon was indeed fortunate to have known you all either directly through 
work or indirectly through electronic mail. You have enriched his life. Thank
you for sharing our sorrow and pain. It makes our pain much easier to bear.

	Please accept my heartfelt thank you through the electronic medium. I
wish I could write to each of you personally. Bless you all.

					Sincerely

					Rita Szeto

    A postscript file with scanned images of Rita's letter and a photograph
    of Simon is in BULOVA::SYS$TRANSFER: The two revisable (DDIF) files are
    also present.
    
    Note that the files are large. The postscript takes about 30 minutes to
    print on an LPS20.
    
    BULOVA::SYS$TRANSFER:
    SIMON_LETTER.IMG;1       63
    SIMON_PHOTO.IMG;1      5473
    SIMON_PHOTO.PS;2       9734
    
    Tim

    >    <<< Note 1941.137 by I18N::GREENWOOD "Tim. ISE/DA. 381-0575" >>>
    >                 -< Location of a photograph of Simon >-
    
    Thank You.
    
    Jodi-

The July 13 issue of New Hampshire View has a "In Memorium...Simon
Szeto" on the Spitbrook page.  I'll see to it that Rita gets several copies.

Bill

Why do NH View/DTW always misspell "In Memoriam?"

    
    It's been a while. For about the millionth time today I found myself
    explaining to my son Simon that his namesake was dead and that made
    both of us sad and give pause for thought.
    
    Simon Szeto was, above all, an utterly honest and decent man. I can't
    overemphasise the loss that we continue to feel.
    
    Damn, there I go, the tears are in my eyes again.
    
    /a/

Oh for goodness sake.

Why load a trip on your son because a man you knew died. Without taking 
anything away from Simon, he was a man that died some while ago now. He 
should be remembered, but you can take mourning too far. Life does go on.

Don't load the troubles of your world on your son before he has to put up 
with problems in his own.

    re: .142
    
    I guess you interpreted .141 differently than I did.  I took it to mean
    that Andy's son was asking about Simon and Andy is having difficulty
    getting his son to understand that Simon has died.  I don't know how
    old Andy's son is, but I envision a 2 or 3 year old boy saying, "See
    Simon.  See Simon." and Andy trying to explain why they can't "See
    Simon".
    
    Bob

I doubt it. Simon (Leslie) is considerably more eloquent and intelligent than 
that and several thousands miles away.

Did they ever meet ?

    Mark,
    
    	actually, they met quite a few times. What I wrote was because
    Simon, my son, was asking about his namesake. I wasn't loading anything
    on him at all.
    
    /andy

    
    	Andy,
    
    	Your response was informative, calm, deflammatory, and mature.
    
    	In other words, very Simonlike.
    
    -rjc-

    As noted in .126, DECpark, Reading, UK (REO) has a Szeto conference
    room. Through Sonja Israel, Rita Szeto has supplied a large colour
    photo of Simon for the room. I have had this framed and added the text
    detailed below to annotate the photo.
    
    I decided to use text from the the various replies in this conference.
    Obviously space was limited so apologies if your contribution was
    ommitted or truncated, but I feel I got the flavour of how we all feel
    about Simon............... I hope no one will feel offended.......
    
    
    
    
    
                                  SIMON SZETO
                                       
    The sudden death of Simon Szeto on 13th June 1992 shocked and saddened 
    his many colleagues throughout Digital. So much so that the notice of 
    his death in the "Digital" Notes Conference provoked over 140 replies 
    in tribute to Simon. Below are extracted some of those..........
    
        "Simon Szeto was my inspiration in most of my time at DEC. His 
        patience, sense of humour and friendship will be sadly missed by 
        thousands of DECcies, most of whom had never met him except through 
        this, his most prolific medium for helping us all."
            
    "I met Simon briefly on several occasions and corresponded by mail 
    from time to time. He was a consumate gentleman. One of those 
    people you brush by you can never forget. RIP."
        
        "Simon Szeto was a software engineering manager. At least that is 
        what DEC paid him for. He was also a very special person........ 
        .....He was always vitally concerned about customers. Actually he 
        was vitally concerned about people period...............
        
        ...................... We met face to face many times after that. 
        I'm fortunate to have known him. He was truly a special person."
        
    "I met Simon several times, both on trips to the US and when he 
    visited here. He epitomised everything that was great about this 
    corporation; the company is all the poorer for his sad loss."
    
        "I am in shock.... deeply saddened... as has been said, Simon was a 
        *very* special man.... Having met him several times since the early 
        days of Notes, and getting to know him over the years, seeing his 
        accomplishments, he has my heartfelt respect and admiration for 
        everything he did for co-workers, unmet noters, met noters, and 
        friends he made throughout the world...."
            
    "If you took the page in the book you were given when you were 
    hired, that describes how employees are to behave, Do what is 
    right, etc. and considered that to be the design spec for the 
    perfect employee.  Simon was the ultimate implementation of that 
    design, both as an employee and person."
    
        "There are a few Notes headers that cause you to instinctively read 
        the words below them with more care and deliberation, because 
        you've seen a pearl of widsom under them so many times in the past.
                
        SIMON::SZETO was one..."
        
    "I know him since ABSS group was established. He helped me a lot 
    when I was relocated to Nashua. 8000 miles prevents me attending 
    the funeral. Sigh.
    
    I'm sure he has a lot of friends all over the world. Hiro, from 
    Yokohama, Japan"

    Now that I'm leaving Digital, I find myself thinking back over the past
    few years.  One of the things I'm most glad I did was to name the Simon
    Szeto Lab in PKO3-2.  One of the saddest things is that no-one around here
    seems to have any idea who Simon is/was..  I hope no-one renames the lab
    after I leave, as it's about the only concrete tribute I can make.  Memory
    of him will furnish my mind as long as I live, however.

    #ken    :-(}

    The Simon Szeto Meeting room in DEC Park Reading had a picture of SImon
    and some blurb beneath giving some background. I don't know if it is
    still there, though.
    
    /Andy

Ken, you're not the only one who remembers Simon.

___Pete

    Anybody still have the .PS file referenced in .137?

    I do, at home. Let me know if you can't get a copy elsewhere.

re.149:

>    I don't know if it is still there, though.

Yes, it's still there.

Dave.