Friday, August 24, 2007

Perry DeAngelis 1963 - 2007

Perry DeAngelis of the Skeptic's Guide to the Universe has died. He's missed the last few shows due to being ill but still called in each week to give the weeks' skeptical quote. Apparently no one else on the show had fears of Perry being gravely ill, but I guess surprises happen. I didn't even realize it until I checked the site today for this weeks episode.

Here is the official statement from Steven Novella, Host of the SGU and president of the New England Skeptical Society (NESS):

"The Skeptics Guide is very sad to announce the passing of one of our rogues, Perry DeAngelis. Perry was the inspiration for the formation of the NESS and so we owe our existence to his vision. His distinctive wit and humor and his larger than life persona, which he lent to everything he did in life, helped forge the Skeptics Guide into what it is. He will be sorely missed.

Goodbye, dear friend. "

Perry was sort of the goofball of the show, and sometimes taking on the role of the straight man asking devil's advocate type questions. I always looked forward to his skeptical quote of the week, which he would end with the phrase "...of some note". My favorite example was when he gave a Thomas Jefferson quote and said, "This quote of was from Thomas Jefferson, a United States politician...of some note" The show won't be the same without him.

Here's a link to the condolences thread on the official SGU website.

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