Derek Ziglar has passed away Posted By: Jae Dawkins Date: 6/7/05 18:34 GMT

I am very sad to share this, but the creator of this wonderful website and set of forums, Derek Ziglar, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head on Saturday, May 29, 2005 (confirmed by the New Mexico Suicide Survivors Support Group at 800-432-5239). Derek is survived by Ms. Stella Ziglar and by both parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jim and Martha Ziglar, of Atlanta, Georgia.

It is rare that I am at a loss for words. But this does have that effect.

I simply don't have the words to express the shock, disbelief and bewilderment at this news.

So I'll share how I have come to know Derek...

I will be the first to admit that I didn't know Derek very closely. I never met him face to face, would probably be had pressed to have picked him out from Adam, only spoke with him on the phone once if I remember correctly. Virtually all of my contact with him was via email and within forums, here and elsewhere.

Most of the regulars and the old-timers here at OTD, old-timers... OTD is barely two years old and we're talking about old-timers... Many of you know the story of how OTD came to be. Jeff contacted me, wanted to talk about Heuer's and his dream about creating a Heuer site, and when Jeff mentioned he lived in Atlanta, I knew there was the perfect person to make that happen... Derek. Yes, Derek lived in Atlanta at the time, but most importantly he had what was at the time, and continues to be, visually the best looking Omega collector's site on the web. I figured it'd be easy to get Jeff and Derek together and to get it done quickly and without a lot of fuss. I was right.

As I said, I didn't know Derek very closely, but I know that in my travels in the watch collecting community he was a stand up guy who didn't brag, boast or strut, he let his efforts speak for themselves. And they spoke volumes and likely have aided more people than everyone else's efforts, at least in the Omega Community, combined. Derek was always there when he was needed or requested and let people be themselves the rest of the time.

I remember back a couple of years ago some of us were interested in starting up an Omega website web ring... Derek fired up a new forum on his sight and we invited most of the folks who had Omega stuff at the time (this is probably 2001 or so) and after a while it kinda fell in disuse because, well some places would rather be an island onto themselves. Derek didn't take it personally, he always had his hand out in friendship towards others.

Derek never took it the wrong way that I hung out over at TZ's Omega forum instead of Zowie and then Chronocentric's Omega forums... He understood that I was at TZ first and more established there and some people are creatures of habit. But he was there to help at the drop of a hat.

I can't speak for Jeff, but Derek pretty much let us have out little club house and play. We didn't talk much because the people in the OTD forum and in Chronocentric for the most part are a pleasure to be around. There was little reason for administrative communications because the site is so well crafted and people behave for the most part.

I checked my emails for messages from Derek, the last message I received was on the 25th of May and Derek was giving us a heads up about a watchmaker in his neck of the woods that he was sending OTD's way for additional information. There was no inkling whatsoever that anything untoward was happening in Derek's life. Derek, Jeff and I were talking about adding an additional forum to the lineup, we were discussing names for it, and we had pretty much decided to hold off moving further until after the rush of the Memorial Day holiday.

"Key's that gingle in your pocket,

Words that Jangle in your head.

Why did someone go so quickly?

Was it something that you said?"

-- Windmills of your Mind...

At this point, like all of you, I'm left with a lot of questions and few or any answers.

I don't know why. I wish I had known there was trouble, I would have done everything I could to help. I don't know where we go from here. I'll try to share what I learn and can share as best I can.

Our heartfelt sympathies and prayers go out to Derek's wife, Stella, his mother and father, Jim and Martha, to the rest of his family, and to his many friends, admirers and supporters in Santa Fe, New Mexico and Atlanta, Georgia, as well as around the country and world.

The loss that I personally and I am sure the entire watch collecting community has suffered is beyond estimation. I only know that my/our loss pales to the loss felt by Derek's relatives and his closer friends. My most sincere and profound condolences go to all who knew Derek. Derek was one of the good guys, one of the great guys..

In addition to his deep love and thoughtfulness for his family and friends, Derek gave himself freely and caringly to anyone in need of help with any of his many areas of expertise. Derek genuinely loved to help people. His great intellect, wit and thoughtfulness will be sorely missed &endash; Derek will be missed. He truly made a difference.

The gap Derek leaves is deep, broad and likely immeasurable. We were far stronger with Derek than we are without him.

A very good friend and colleague of mine once said a very profound thing that I think sums up my wishes at this time:

Take care of yourselves, Take care of each other, and take care of this place...

Chuck