Terrible News: Jim Blumenthal Passed Away Last Night

[barrysloate]

So it's the morning after we got this terrible news and I can't get Jim's passing out of mind. He was only a casual friend, and we never met in person. But I had so much respect for him. He chose to devote his life to the study of Buddhism, and this garnered my strongest admiration. What a wonderful calling indeed.

And what an amazing collection he had. A complete N167 set- how did he do it? A T206 Wagner, a Ty Cobb back, a virtually mint E93 set? And it went on and on and on. We sometimes teased Jim about it: did the Dalai Lama collect baseball cards? Aren't Buddhists supposed to relinquish all their worldly possessions? But he was a good sport and surely recognized the humor in it.

I know very little about Buddhism, but I do know that part of its teaching is to prepare oneself for death, to recognize its inevitability and to see it as the final step of life's very long journey. I'm certain he reached this ultimate state as he took his last breath.

I truly believe he is in a better place. I only regret that I didn't get to know him a little better.

[ullmandds]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

So it's the morning after we got this terrible news and I can't get Jim's passing out of mind. He was only a casual friend, and we never met in person. But I had so much respect for him. He chose to devote his life to the study of Buddhism, and this garnered my strongest admiration. What a wonderful calling indeed.

And what an amazing collection he had. A complete N167 set- how did he do it? A T206 Wagner, a Ty Cobb back, a virtually mint E93 set? And it went on and on and on. We sometimes teased Jim about it: did the Dalai Lama collect baseball cards? Aren't Buddhists supposed to relinquish all their worldly possessions? But he was a good sport and surely recognized the humor in it.

I know very little about Buddhism, but I do know that part of its teaching is to prepare oneself for death, to recognize its inevitability and to see it as the final step of life's very long journey. I'm certain he reached this ultimate state as he took his last breath.

I truly believe he is in a better place. I only regret that I didn't get to know him a little better.

Right Barry...I totally concur. Didn't he just post his t206 back run a few weeks ago, too? What an interesting guy he was...it's been a rough few weeks stretch.

[barrysloate]

I was thinking the same thing Pete. Wasn't Jim posting on the board as recently as a week ago?

[tedzan]

Well said, Barry.

These are the last two posts by Jim......


9/27

Originally Posted by E93

39 different. Missing only blue Old Mill
JimB

9/29

Originally Posted by E93

Thanks for the kind words everybody.
JimB


I don't have group shot of the fronts together. Sorry. About half are HoFs.

[Vintagecatcher]

My prayers go out to Jim's family and friends.

Although I wasn't fortunate to have ever met Jim, I will miss his contributions to the community.

I do, however, remember Jim's kind words when I posted that I was happy to have picked up an E90-1 Lou Criger that another hobby legend, Lionel Carter once owned. I just changed my avatar to that card to honor Jim's memory.

Patrick

[barrysloate]

Thanks Ted. So it really was only about a week ago. How sad.

[e107collector]

RIP Jim.

I never got a chance to meet him or speak with him, but based on all the great posts from board members, he seemed like a true gentleman.

He'll be sorely missed!

Tony

[Griffins]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

So it's the morning after we got this terrible news and I can't get Jim's passing out of mind. He was only a casual friend, and we never met in person. But I had so much respect for him. He chose to devote his life to the study of Buddhism, and this garnered my strongest admiration. What a wonderful calling indeed.

And what an amazing collection he had. A complete N167 set- how did he do it? A T206 Wagner, a Ty Cobb back, a virtually mint E93 set? And it went on and on and on. We sometimes teased Jim about it: did the Dalai Lama collect baseball cards? Aren't Buddhists supposed to relinquish all their worldly possessions? But he was a good sport and surely recognized the humor in it.

I know very little about Buddhism, but I do know that part of its teaching is to prepare oneself for death, to recognize its inevitability and to see it as the final step of life's very long journey. I'm certain he reached this ultimate state as he took his last breath.

I truly believe he is in a better place. I only regret that I didn't get to know him a little better.

A few times a year Jim would come into town to visit his parents, and he, Jason Miller and I would usually get together for cigars at a friends lounge and end up spending 4-6 hours just sitting and talking. It's something I always looked forward to, and I've been thinking about those times over the last day absolutely devastated by the recent turn of events.
Jim was probably the most centered person I've ever met, and I have no doubt he is at peace. When I spoke to his wife Tiffany Tuesday nite they both seemed very calm, and it was obvious that Jim remained centered and dignified to the very end.
I once asked Jim how he reconciled Buddhism with the materialism of collecting cards and he just laughed and said Buddha wants us to be happy, and cards made him happy. That was evident as the completion of his N167 set unfolded over the last 2 years. The research, location, and acquisition of the last 2-3 cards in this set was an incredible story and achievement, and each time we got together Jim would wait til just the right moment to catch me up on the latest chapter.
Speaking to Jim a few months ago it was clear that he viewed the journey as the reward, and he was already planning the next one. He always said paradise is just like the place you are now, only much much better. I'm sure he's there, with that ever present smile on his face.

[Davidbvintage]

Oh man, such sad news. When I think of Jim I picture that big smile of his. Every time I saw and spoke with Jim that bigger than life smile was present and it was usually over a just purchased piece of cardboard at the National. He was always very humble, very pleasant and just an all around great person. This world will surely miss him and I am sure his loved ones miss him dearly. My pray for comfort and peace got out to them. We will miss you Jim.

[edhans]

I'm heartbroken. I always looked forward to sharing a meal with Jim at the National. One of the kindest and most serene people I've ever known. I will not forget the time he helped one of my daughters with a high school project on eastern religions. Rest in Peace, Jim.

[2dueces]

Anthony, Thanks for sharing. I'm pretty beat up about this. It's never easy losing a person like Jim but he is at peace now and thankfully suffers no more.
He will be missed.

[familytoad]

http://jim.blumenthal.muchloved.com/frame.aspx

Here is Jim's memorial page for those who are interested.

[barrysloate]

To see the picture of Jim with his young son is painful.

[ElCabron]

A true gentleman and gentle man. It's been hard to function this past week. I haven't been able to stop thinking about how incredibly sad it is that his son will only know how kind and loving his father was from second hand stories. What a profound loss for so many.

-Ryan

[three25hits]

Its too soon to let this thread drop to the 2nd page.

I remember when Ben learned to ride his bike, and how proud that made Jim...

[Leon]

Originally Posted by three25hits

Its too soon to let this thread drop to the 2nd page.

I remember when Ben learned to ride his bike, and how proud that made Jim...

I agree Brian. Jim was such a kind and gentle person it is tragically sad. I have told several people, and I firmly believe it, Jim might have been the kindest and nicest person I have ever known. I have had tears in my eyes thinking of him more than a few times the past several days. I am really saddened about his passing. I am lucky to have known him I just wish I had known him even better. Jim was the kind of guy that made yourself a better person by just being around him. That statement can't be said about too many people.