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About Lugnut -- Patrick Malone

Many of us have come to know Patrick Malone (Lugnut) as a friendly, helpful, knowledgeable and kind individual. He is a frequent and enthusiastic contributor to our analog discussion forum. He has initiated only 17 threads, but responded to 559 threads. I would guess that many, if not most, of us can recall a time when Pat replied with helpful advice to a question we posted or helped us track down a rare recording. I have come to love Pat as a friend, and to respect him as a man, and I suspect many of you share those feelings.

Today I write to share difficult news with you. Pat has been diagnosed with an aggressive stomach cancer. It has yet to be determined whether surgery will even be worth it. If surgery is performed, most or all of the stomach will be removed, and Pat would face a difficult and long post-op period in the hospital. The medical course is still uncertain, but will be determined soon. Whatever is decided, it will not be easy or pleasant.

Something may be planned in the future to assist the family. For now, Pat could use some of the friendship he so often and willingly showed us. You can email Pat at: [email protected]. You can also mail cards, letters ... or whatever. You may email me for Pat's mailing address. My email is: [email protected].

I hope to spend a few days with Pat in Idaho or Nebraska (from which he hails) soon. Between this news, my legal work, getting ready for family arriving for the holidays, Audio Intelligent, and trying to make plans to visit Pat, my head is spinning. If you email me and I don't respond, please understand that I am not ignoring you, but rather simply do not have time to reply.

Pat may or may not have time to respond to posts here, to emails, or to cards mailed to him. But he has asked me to convey to each and every one of you that he has cherished your friendship, your comradery, and sharing our common hobby on this great website.

As we prepare for our holiday season celebrations, and look forward to -- as we should -- enjoying this time of year, I ask that you keep Pat and his family in mind ... and softly offer up, in quiet moments in the still of night and early morning, prayers for Pat and his family. God bless.

Warmest regards to all,
Paul Frumkin
paul_frumkin

Showing 10 responses by xactaudio

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xactaudio
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This morning will bring more news for Pat. I pray it will be encouraging news.
A more passionate or caring man I have not met. Pat has helped and encouraged me through a lot of audio trials. Thanks to Pat (and TWL and Cello) my analog journy is starting to pay off. Pat did the metal work on my latest equipment rack. He is not only a true lover of music but also a true craftsman.
For you that don't know, Pat sent his CD player and CD collection to sleep with the fishes. Something about if CDs weren't good enough for Neil Young...but that is another story. Anyway, that is why his wonderful bride of 31 years Barb, will be playing the role of remote in the next act of the play we call "Pat's Life".
Pat can be a tough SOB if the times call for it. Pat beat cancer back in 1988/89 so he knows how to beat it again.
As Warren Zevon said, "Enjoy Every Sandwich"
I join all of you wishing Pat and Barb in a happy new year.

Happy Holidays to all in Audioville

Steve
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xactaudio
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Hi guys, here is a short note from Pat's wife Barb on how thigs went yesterday. There is nothing I could add to this succinct note. It pretty much says it all for now.
I am sure Pat would appreciate any get well cards and letters from all of his pals in Audiogon land.

"At Pat's request I am writing this email to all of you to let you know the outcome of his surgery. After 6 long hours the surgeon reported that she was unable to remove all the cancer. She did remove 1/3 of his stomach and part of the upper intestine. He will start chemotherapy after he recovers from the surgery but this cancer is not curable.

I love my husband with all of my heart. Please remember us - each in your own way during this time. Barb"



St. Luke's Regional Hospital Room 6028

208-381-2222



Pat Malone

307 W. Sherman Ave.

Nampa, Id. 83686
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xactaudio
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Hi Everyone. Just got back from visiting Pat in the hospital. Aside from looking like yesterday's corn and having more tubes coming out of him than a Rockport turn table with an air bearing tone arm, Pat is doing very well. The nurses have Pat walking the halls and Friday he is going to start vacuuming the carpets because there might be an extra sponge bath in it for him.
Pat's attitude is great. His sense of humor is as strong as ever. Pat is concerned over the lack of quality in the wiring going to his heart beat sensors. No audiophile grade wiring here. One wire has non shielded cable and every time he moves and the wire gets too close to the metal rails of his bed, the alarm goes off. He does want me to bring in some 39 cent outlets and have me swap out all the hospital grade Hubbells in his room. After all, they should be well burned in.
Seriously, Pat has the right attitude and it will carry him far. He won't let the long term problems stop him from enjoying day to day life. Pat should be out of the hospital in a week.

Take care, Steve
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xactaudio
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Hi Everyone, first I want to say that I belong to many clubs and the audio people are, BY FAR, the most down to earth, genuine people I know. Of course there are exceptions to every rule and you know who you are, LOL.
Seriously, you guys have made a hugh impact on Pat & Barb, and I mean that in the best of ways. Thank you very much.
Pat's sound room just came alive yesterday when we inserted the Supratek. When the stylus dropped on the Pro-Use version of "Take The A Train" you had to listen. You could not talk, read or even think about anything else but the music. The bass grabbed you by short hairs and would not let go. The dynamics just made us shake our heads. This modest stereo would embarress several much more exspensive systems I have heard. At least for about thirty minutes.
I would enjoy giving you my opinions on the Mid-East situation but I don't have the time right now...maybe later if I get enough requests.

Steve
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xactaudio
156 posts
 
Sorry Pat AND thanks at he same time. How about I just give you a key to the house and you come over any time? You have to deliver all of your vinyl to my address though,LOL!
The change Pat is talking about was some of Stereovox's latest and greatest cables. John Waggoner has been so kind and let me try out his barely broken in prizes. Lets put it this way, there is a reason you rarely see any used Stereovox cables for sale. I am going to have be on medication myself in order to part with the speaker cables...true works of art.
And lest you feel too sorry for Mr. Malone, his system outperforms many high dollar systems. Pat has done an excellent job of converting all the information out of those tiny little vinyl grooves and making it VERY enjoyable to all who get to listen.
And for an unbiased update on Pat, except for the hair, he is pretty much his old self again. Compared to a few weeks ago, he is a new man.
I am very lucky to have a listening partner like Pat.
xactaudio's avatar
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xactaudio
156 posts
 
A toast to Pat.
I will never forget you buddy.
Hard to believe that two years have come and gone so quickly!
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xactaudio
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Nate, you certianly do not need to thank me, it was an honor to help Barb Sunday and I will always be available in the future.

Sunday's event in Pat's memory was very nice. Barb had her lovely mother and sisters visiting. There was a steady stream of friends coming and going all day. The mood was mellow but upbeat. The music was playing and the food was great but of course the reminiscencing took center stage Sunday. I heard several new stories to add to the familiar ones. I am going to have to find out more about that early 70's canoe trip that may have inspired the movie "Deliverence". The part I wish everyone could have shared is the table full of photographs from Pat's life. Some very funny as well as touching pictures. There were also the usual baby, prom, wedding, what not to wear in polyester and the sleeping off whatever happened the night before shots.

Cheers
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xactaudio
156 posts
 
Hard to believe Pat has been gone four months as of today.
I don't intend to speak for Barb, but I do know its been real difficult for her and Amanda. We had a nice talk a few weeks ago and slowly but surely, things are getting better for both of them. There are still some miles to go but the road is getting a little less bumpy.
Gracie is a real cutie and keeps Barb on her toes, much like Pat did. I think Pat was harder on the furniture than Gracie is though.
I want to pass on one more thing. Pat arranged for flowers to be delivered to Barb on this Valentine's day. It seems to me that Pat might be like Elvis, never really gone and there might even be an occasional sighting now and then in a blues bar in Chicago or maybe at a Neil Young concert in Seattle. Maybe.
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xactaudio
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Been thinking of Pat this week myself. Pat was a great guy and a great listening buddy. He could walk into my music room and tell what had changed even though it had been weeks since he had last heard my rig. Pat was 55 when he left us.
A few years ago a former band mate/riding partner and all around good friend moved back to Idaho and he has become a great listening buddy as well. He turned 55 in July and was diagnosed with cancer about the same time. He just got out of surgery this week and things look very positive for the future. Sure makes one pause though...
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xactaudio
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I think of Pat on a regular basis. We had some wonderful listening sessions together. He introduced me to a lot of different music, artists and his amazing chile. For that, I will always be grateful.

Barb, his widow, gave me about twenty Coltrane (Pat's second favorite artist) LPs and around fifty-sixty other jazz LPs of his. I try to play one or two of his LPs every listening session.

I have to say, his presence is felt in my room often.
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