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Post by bjd on Sept 18, 2012 12:00:17 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2012 12:06:00 GMT
That is terrible news. Henning had informed me of his health problems a couple of months ago, and it did not sound good at all. He actually apologized for being absent from here.
I know that a lot of us here will miss him.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2012 12:17:13 GMT
Here is Henning's last PM to me, dating from July 11th: I've been meaning to write to you for weeks but I've always managed to put it off.
I haven't been posting much because I got quite sick.
First fake medicine (multivitamins actually) nearly knocked out my kidneys for 2 months. When this was solved more tests showed I had a heart condition and I was diabetic.
I'm now controlling the blood sugar level then I'll (the doctor) look into the heart problem. We have found out that I've had 4 infarctions in the last 3 years but they were extremely mild and the last one was over a year ago. Oh, and my 4th heart valve doesn't close properly anymore.
That's the story, I'll keep you updated. Bixa was able to obtain some more information recently, which I'm sure she will add later. He was 48 years old.
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Post by onlymark on Sept 18, 2012 12:36:32 GMT
I'm stunned.
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Post by fumobici on Sept 18, 2012 14:20:46 GMT
Very sad and unexpected news.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2012 14:45:44 GMT
Here is a message that Henning's sister wrote to someone at LP and authorised it to be disseminated:
Dear Michael, thank you for your kind letter and the condolences which I shall pass on to my mother. It's good to see that Henning had so many people to whom he meant something in a special way. He also was a good son to his mother, in the sense that he took his time to chat with her very regularly, sometimes daily, writing emails, posting pictures and going on trips with her whenever they were possible living 10000 kms apart. The last one being in March to Indonesia where they spent a few very pleasant and happy days together. He was an excellent big brother to me, actively protecting me from bullies during our childhood and later in adulthood assisting me in all things concerning the hardships of life. I can see from the links you posted and the one on Khmer440 that there are sides to him we didn't know, we are getting a wider picture now. Thank you very much.
message added by 'Michael' : any condolences tributes photos and interesting reflections of his life you might like to email to his sister and she can pass them onto their Mum as a fitting tribute to his personality and big heartedness he was a very thoughtful and kind person and is already sadly missed, think too of his partner Minn she is devastated at this news and just about coping, Hennings sister phones her each day. I also have her permission to post this and also to private message her email address onto anyone here who wants to send condolences and tribute email to his family pm me if you want to do so
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Post by bixaorellana on Sept 18, 2012 16:05:53 GMT
Oh no, no no. I am in tears thinking of this sweet, good, happy man now gone.
Bjd, thank you so much for passing on this information, and Kerouac, what you added is gold.
Sadly, I'm not completely surprised. I spoke to him by phone on September 6, and he was very weak and tired to the point that it was difficult for him to talk. Chipper to the end, he'd actually gone to the Philippines for work the previous week, although he admitted that was "stupid". He was planning on going to Malaysia for treatments the following week. He said his dear companion was kept very busy taking care of him.
What do you all think? Should we create one letter with all the messages that those of us here wish to convey. I'm thinking this would be less of a burden for Henning's sister and for Minn* to receive, as they'd only have to make one reply if they wished.
*Henning had written her name as Mint, so I'm not sure what is correct.
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Post by onlymark on Sept 18, 2012 16:30:09 GMT
I understand her name is Mint.
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Post by palesa on Sept 18, 2012 16:34:15 GMT
So sad to read this.
A loss for his family and friends and for his friends here at AnyPort
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Post by bjd on Sept 18, 2012 17:09:29 GMT
Bixa, a single message from all of us here would be a good idea.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2012 17:40:21 GMT
I was thinking it would be nice to find some of Henning's best threads and make them available to his family.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2012 19:18:26 GMT
more information from his sister: Henning is going to be cremated in Amsterdam. My family and I shall take his ashes to Cambodia eventually and strew them on the Mekong, as he wanted. I was thinking of the 18th of March, his birthday and also the time when we were going to visit him again. To answer your questions: Henning did travel to Europe alone. He took a short flight from PP to Bangkok where he had to get a medical statement saying he was fit to fly. I found it among his belongings. I think by then he was in a wheel chair. He took a long haul direct flight with China Airlines to Amsterdam, which would have taken 11 or 12 hrs. He arrived at the gate in a wheel chair, barely recognisable. I took him to the medical centre of Schiphol immediately and they advised us not to drive him to Germany but to have him taken to the University Hospital immediately by ambulance which happened. The reason why I wanted him in Germany was insurance coverage foremost and ofc to have him close by. But it was impossible. Henning travelled to Germany purely to get medical treatment. I think I asked him to come home the first time one or two months ago. He and I chatted on a daily basis via msn.. until the time he didnt come online anymore which would be mid July and got me worried after a few days. He decided to come very quickly. On Thursday I got the information that he was arriving in Amsterdam on Saturday. Henning's company is aware that he passed away: vlktravel.com/ , there is an announcement already. I think my cousins in Malaysia must have informed him. but I also rang him this morning.
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Post by bixaorellana on Sept 18, 2012 19:29:55 GMT
Thank you so much for the update, Kerouac.
I'm quite sure that his company was in constant contact with Henning & would have been aware of his death.
Bjd, thanks for the input. If people want to PM their messages of condolence, I'll put them together in one letter.
Sharing some of his threads with the family is a lovely idea, Kerouac. Is anyone willing to comb through "what's for dinner"? There are some delightful sequences there which feature pictures of Henning, his brother, & friends. Those would be of particular value to the family. I can think of a couple of others where he included pictures of himself & will try to find them. Help is welcome!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2012 19:36:53 GMT
Combing the Cambodia forums, I saw that Henning's funeral was yesterday in Amsterdam.
I will see what I can find in "What's for dinner?"
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Post by lugg on Sept 18, 2012 20:19:21 GMT
So sorry to read this . Being a fairly new member I did not know him very well although of course I really enjoyed reading his posts and enjoyed reading his postive comments on many others posts including a few of my own which were appreciated This particular one describing his time with his Mum springs to mind as one that I particularly remember. anyportinastorm.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=asia&thread=5805&page=1#134524Hugs to all of you here who knew him well and who must be feeling so sad and of course I too am thinking of his family at this time.
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Post by bixaorellana on Sept 18, 2012 21:37:13 GMT
Thank you so much, Lugg. Yes, Henning had such presence, his loss is truly felt.
Also thanks for the link. I've got a stash of them going. If you all want to contribute links, it will make it a true "best of" collection.
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Post by Jazz on Sept 18, 2012 21:56:05 GMT
I am stunned and saddened by this news. His posts were wonderful and enriched the Port from the very beginning. Henning seemed such a good and vital man. Bixa, the idea of one letter from all of us is good and will be less overwhelming for his family. I think too, that Kerouac’s idea of a compilation of his best threads is great. Perhaps not to be read now, but for later. Henning’s threads were valuable to so many of us. Thanks bjd for letting us know. I miss him.
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Post by BigIain on Sept 19, 2012 6:51:01 GMT
Kerouac notified me of this elsewhere. I shall miss Henning's postings. He was a very nice and considerate bloke. Sometimes life can seem ridiculously unfair.
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Post by auntieannie on Sept 19, 2012 13:19:13 GMT
Can you kindly add my condoleances to the letter you intend to send in the name of APIAS, if it has not already been sent?
All of HWINPP's post were a delight.
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Post by Don Cuevas on Sept 19, 2012 13:31:23 GMT
I just read of his death on the Thorn Tree, Get Stuffed Branch. He was a great and friendly poster, always with photos of his wonderful meals. He knew how to live well. I am saddened by his passing.
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Post by bixaorellana on Sept 19, 2012 13:59:06 GMT
To all of you wanting to participate in a group letter ~~
If you wish to write a note to his family, just PM it to me & it will be included exactly as you write it. Please sign it, either with your handle or your real name.
If I don't receive PMs, I'll simply add the names from this thread to a general condolence note, unless directed otherwise. In the case of posts such as that of Don Cuevas, I'll copy exactly, signing with the person's handle, or use the pertinent part, such as Jazz's first paragraph.
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Post by mich64 on Sept 19, 2012 15:57:39 GMT
I am so sad. Before leaving on my holiday, I had been wondering about him and thinking, oh he just must be so very busy and thought he must be out on some wonderful tours and we will see him back here soon with many great new reports. I did have a moment of worry and hoped he was okay, but thought, he is a busy man. I will miss him very much.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 19, 2012 16:17:27 GMT
I am so very sorry to hear this news. H told me a few weeks back that he hadn't been well but I had no idea it was this serious. A very lovely,generous, kind and fun person. I also know he was totally devoted to his girlfriend Mint. I hope there is some way we can convey to her our condolences as well.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 19, 2012 16:35:46 GMT
Some of the other websites are collecting money to help her. Henning spent nearly all of his savings on his medical treatment and she appears to be in dire straits on top of the tragedy.
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Post by htmb on Sept 19, 2012 18:22:22 GMT
Being new to AnyPort, I didn't have much of a chance to interract with Henning. I do recall him addressing Kerouac as "Jack," and while I don't know the history of how that started with "our Kerouac," I've just always assumed it was meant as a bit of an endearment by a kind and friendly man.
I look forward to reading more of Henning's old posts with an even greater understanding of what he meant to many of you, and how he impacted your lives through his gentle and thoughtful demeanor. My sincere condolences to those of you who were his friends and to his loved ones.
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Post by imec on Sept 19, 2012 19:58:59 GMT
How very sad. A great poster and, by all indications a real gentleman. I will miss him.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 19, 2012 20:26:10 GMT
I am going to send an email to Henning's brother Horst who lives in Hanoi to get his views on how people can help Mint. She will be returning to Bangkok on October 2nd apparently.
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Post by ninchursanga on Sept 20, 2012 4:27:45 GMT
This is so sad. Even though I haven't had any direct interactions with him, I remember him as one of the most friendly posters on the travel boards.
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Post by lagatta on Sept 20, 2012 15:01:20 GMT
I am so sad. I always hoped I'd meet up with him (far more likely in Germany than in Cambodia).
He also provided such a positive, if honest, picture of contemporary Cambodia, a country that for many of us will evoke the scars of wars and landmines a couple of generations later, and of the genocidal régime that followed in war's wake, and its killing fields. He let us see a living, laughing, socially and economically dynamic place.
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Post by lola on Sept 23, 2012 14:32:13 GMT
I'm so sorry to hear this. He was a kind and generous presence here. His posts and his replies were fun and good spirited; no doubt a true reflection of his personality.
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