Devastated to report the passing of JackpineRadical
I met Jim Peterson (JackpineRadical) through DU at least 13 years ago. We live about an hour and a half apart, but close enough to show up at the same Democratic party events regularly and to stay in touch off of DU as well. Even so, I knew him but not so well as I would have liked. He was as amazing in person as he was on DU. He was a Vietnam vet. He was a psychiatrist who spent a good deal of his life working with people charged with crimes and those convicted in prison. Even though he was retired now, he worked when he wanted, taking on psych evals when when a friend in the legal world sought his expertise and testimony. He understood what motivated people to do good things as much as he understood what motivated them to do terrible things. He dedicated himself to making the world a better place by going places few of us would be willing to tread.
His heart was enormous. His mind, which he shared with so many here, was fascinating. His big smile was ever-present and slightly mischievous. His skill for mocking stupidity through understatement and sarcasm were beyond anything I've ever seen. He loved sharing his letters to the editor with me and I loved reading them. He tested people with his crazy sharp wit. If you got it, if you did that double take, if you laughed, he was a fast friend. He and his wife, my husband MadAsHell and I stayed late at several Dem dinners talking about topics too numerous to count and would have stayed til dawn if they didn't start shutting off the lights.
The last couple of years we hadn't seen much of each other. My life got crazy and I didn't end up going his direction as much as I used to. But we did check in on DU with each other here and there.
When that genie grants my wish to have dinner with any 12 people of my choosing all through time, Jim will be there at my side.
I will miss you, my dear friend Jackpine. Rest in peace, Jim.
Jim passed Thursday evening, June 11th. There will be a memorial service for him on June 27th. Anyone who would like to express their sympathy can do so through this funeral home page for Jim.
http://www.pedersonvolker.com/obituary.phtml/E780EA29/james_m_peterson/
I will also share the link to this post with his widow, Carla.
Edited to add this in tribute to Jim - in his own words...
25 Random things about me (Jackpine Radical)
January 27, 2009 at 7:31pm
1. I get a great deal of satisfaction out of playing with a tractor.
2. I have had peak experiences at various times since I was a small child. These events have always happened when I was in contact with natural things, and have involved a sense of unity pervading the universe and incorporating me—like being part of a fractal design in which small elements are replicated “all the way up.”
3. My wife is trying to convince me that my memory is getting bad but she is wrong.
4. I would probably have accomplished more in life if I could have focused all my attention in some narrow area instead of being interested in everything.
5. I think my nervous system came pre-wired for rural life. Living in cities for too long is not good for me. Too much aversive stimulation (random, clanging ugly noises, garish flashing lights, masses of people) and too little beauty (sunsets, sunlight sparkling on water, wind in the trees, bird and animal sounds and flashes of movement). In the city, my senses shut down, limiting my awareness of my surroundings; in the country, my awareness of my surroundings expands to absorb the spiritual nourishment of the natural world.
6. My wife is trying to convince me that my memory is getting bad but she is wrong.
7. I lived most of my life in a time before personal computers, used to write my college papers on a manual typewriter, and analyzed my PhD dissertation data on a computer that filled an entire building but had less computing capacity than the Macbook in my lap right now.
8. I was about 50 when the Internet first became available to me on a very slow (2400 baud) phone connection in 1994. We got wireless broadband at home in 2005. Now, I can hardly remember what life was like before broadband.
9. Within the past year I have made contact with two branches of my family that I hardly knew existed. One branch lives in northern Saskatchewan, and the other in Idaho and Washington State. I now have pictures of my great-grandfather and great-grandmother, who were born in Denmark in the 1840's.
10. If I were able to eliminate one kind of thing from the Earth, I would have a lot of trouble deciding what should go: deerflies, black mold, or Republicans.
11. I have too many books, too many papers, and too many tractors.
12. I have a persistent feeling that I should be writing something significant, but I don't know what it is.
13. I wish there were a way to train box elder bugs to kill Japanese beetles and then commit suicide.
14. I like hats.
15. I can't imagine why anybody would bother to learn the names of all the major-league baseball players. Not even the names of all the players on one team.
16. I really don't understand football. It seems like it would be a lot easier on everybody if they gave each team a ball.
17. My wife is trying to convince me that my memory is getting bad but she is wrong.
18. I think there should be a 12-step program for Internet addicts. There should also be 3-step groups for people with Attention Deficit Disorder. And 47-step groups for obsessive-compulsives.
19. I still have the snow shoes I used in high school, and they are still in good shape (although I am not).
20. I have discovered that I am property. My main roles in life involve serving as doorperson and treat provider for a large orange dog.
21. I look at the future with a strange mix of fear for what might be (people of my generation grew up hearing the horror stories of the Depression years from our parents) and of hope for what could be. I think we are at one of those turning points in history. The right choice will lead to a path of appropriate technology and spiritual metamorphosis. The other choice will lead to unimaginable ruin, and maybe another mass extinction of species.
22. What are you supposed to do with all those little wall-wart transformers that you accumulate over the years? It seems wrong to just throw them out, even if you don't know what they will fit, and probably no longer own the devices they came with.
23. Irma Bombeck once defined a calorie as a measure of the delectability of food. She was right.
24. Gus often wants to go out and bark at things we cannot see. I sometimes wonder if he is hallucinating. Maybe we have a seriously psychotic dog on our hands. How would we know?
25. My nose seldom itches except when I am trying to meditate.
= new reply since forum marked as read
Damn.
He was always interesting and right on...
RIP, JackpineRadical.
Peace...
He posted here a few days ago.
Deepest sympathy to his wife and family
Peace and comfort to his family.
He was very supportive. 
--imm
looking forward to the election mode. I'm very sad. He was one of the voices of sanity on this board.
My heartfelt sympathies to his family and his friends.
Warm regards to his friends and family.
fighting for the greater good was huge.
RIP and my deepest condolences to his family.
he was a DU regular! I just can't believe it.
Hugs to his family. He will be missed.
We have lost too many folks here this spring.........
I enjoyed his company here on DU so very very much. This is really sad.
I knew when I clicked on one of his posts that it would make sense and be worth reading. I have been especially interested to read his posts in the last few years of the walker administration.
I am sorry that we have lost such a wonderful member of this forum and I am very sorry for his family.
Jeff R, xchrome, and Jackpine.
Hopefully Admin. will put the names up soon.
Aw Damn. I am so unhappy to hear this! I enjoyed his posts very much.
Bummer. We're losing way too many truly dear ones here, especially lately!
We've seemed to lost several DU'ers lately.
RIP.
Cheers for a genuinely good life. He's one of the best. He helped me, and others.
My condolences to his friends and family.
He will be greatly missed, here on DU and elsewhere
I am so sorry for yet another wonderful man gone too soon.
Jackpine and my husband, also a psychiatrist and Vietnam vet, are the same generation.
Too many good people are leaving us too soon.
My heart goes out to you, sybylla, and to his wife, MadAsHell.
Condolences to all his friends and family.
of the good ones to go. I am sorry, so sorry. Carla, you were married to one of the nicest persons. I liked him and his thoughts were so interesting and wise. I don't know how to convey to you how sad I am to hear this. Just know he was loved and respected. My heart goes out to you and your family. Only time will be your friend but know he will always be around you. Love never ends. Ever.
from Cathy aka Roguevalley
He was a great guy, most generous with his knowledge and wisdom.
He will be sorely missed by many.
My deepest condolances for his family and friends.
He was one of my most favorite people here, a warm and witty soul even over the intertubes.
Deepest sympathy to his friends and family.
He will be deeply missed by me and many others here at DU.
It's so hard losing so many wonderful members in such short order.
My deepest sympathy to all.
Rest In Peace, dear man.
along with the news of xchrom, a sad day.
Yet another prolific DUer gone.
and all of his friends and family. I've always loved his posts.
Sad day.
He was posting just this past week, his posts were always interesting to read. My condolences to his family and friends.
few days ago? Another loss for DU. Sincere condolences to his family and friends.
R.I.P., Jim Peterson.
Deepest condolences to Carla and all friends and family.
RIP, Jackpine. You will be missed.
My condolences to his wife and family.
and family.
He will be missed
Condolences to his wife and family.
You will be missed.
He was a pretty awesome DUer. Lived pretty close to my parents too.
He should have lived another decade too.
And after reading his 25 random things I'm even sorrier that I never got the chance to do so. His ability to get right to the nucleus of any issue was uncanny and his sense of humor was quick and keen.
Being a Vietnam vet, I suspect he was a bit younger than me, as I served from 1960 to 63. It seems that almost weekly I hear of someone who went to high school or worked with me passing away. My generation is dropping like flies and it's a bit depressing.
It's even more depressing when it's an old person with a young worldview like Jackpine Radical. I will miss him.
RIP, JPR.
(goddamnit, I'm getting tired of posting this crying thing)
My most sincere condolences MadasHell. I think Jim was one of the brightest and best voices on DU. I loved reading his posts.
I thank you for the tribute, as I had to laugh through my tears as I read it.
I'm so sorry to hear this. He will be missed.
I just read a posting (as said, on June 9th).
This is terrible news again for DU.
Kinda makes me think that we should indeed respect the opinions and thoughts of others at DU...we're supposed to be in it together.
Rest well...you helped us to keep up the good fight.
He's going to be deeply missed here.
We have lost a lot of great DU members lately. My heart hurts.
This news is too awful! I knew him IRL, too.
We both joined DU in 2001 within weeks of each other and became good buddies immediately.
I can't bear this...
so suddenly
RIP and peace to your family and friends
I always enjoyed reading his posts. What a loss!
❤
Hope you're better.....
Yes, there are so many people here I wish I could hang out with irl. Really really cool, smart, kind and funny people.
Yo, Pine man....I'll be thinking of you for quite awhile. 
*sigh*
RIP, Jackpine Radical.
I am so sorry & will miss him terribly.
My heartfelt condolences to his family.
I am so sorry to learn of his passing.
My sincere condolences to his family and friends and many the DUers who knew him well.
How sad. RIP
My heartfelt condolences to Jim's wife and family.
I'm not a great conversationalist but I talked with him about Wisconsin politics on a few occasions. I also talked with him about his dog and, if I recall correctly, the fact that they both had Lyme disease. He would put me completely at ease. He was so nice. What a loss to the world in general, to his wife and family and to DU.
Oh, this is so awful to hear. He will be hugely missed!
Someone said that we die three deaths: the first is when our body ceases to function; the second, when we are buried; the third is when our name is spoken for the last time.
May Jim Peterson (*our* JackpineRadical) be remember always. He was a brilliant man. My sincere condolences to his family and friends. He will be missed here.
Sybylla, thank you for letting us know.
His list is brilliant. 
I am so sorry to read this. Condolences to his wife, yourself and all his friends and family.
I always enjoyed reading his posts, he seemed like a very kind and wise person.
Peace and strength to all who knew and loved him.
He was one of my favorite DUers. My condolences to his family and friends.
I will miss my fellow Wisconsinite. 
Safe passage, JackPine Radical.
another favored DUer gone. This is too much.
He was an intelligent and thoughtful man and will be missed.
RIP.
Not Pine.....
no. just impossible. no.
to say and I mourn his passing.
My condolences to all.
RIP
Dark weekend at DU.
and friends. I loved reading his posts. DU will not be the same without him. Rest in peace Jim.
I liked him a lot. My sincerest condolences to his family and friends. This has not been a good summer for DU. JeffR, Xchrom and now Jackpine.
Thank you for posting this glorious tribute. Even though the news is terribly sad and untimely, JackpineRadical lives on in many DUers hearts. He was clearly a remarkable man. Maybe more like a force of nature. I hope his family sees this outpouring and that it gives them a measure of peace. He will be missed by us all.
We've been losing way too many good people lately
RIP JackpineRadical. You will be missed.
He is going to be greatly missed here.
My condolences to Carla, and his many friends here on DU. 
Your exchanges were full of all that is good in the world.
Cheers to you
He was always one of my favorites here. Heartbreaking.
He was one of my favorite DU'ers, someone whose posts I always enjoyed and usually agreed with, too. This is awful, I am so sad. RIP, Jim.
I'll miss his posts!
Condolences to family and friends.
So sad to hear this. 
I first read about his sudden passing on malaise's thread: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026835763
I always enjoyed reading Jackpine Radical's posts.
He will be missed.
Best wishes and condolences to hid family.
Last edited Sun Jun 14, 2015, 07:54 PM - Edit history (1)
My condolences to his family .
RIP
Too many DU deaths!
RIP, JackpineRadical.
for reminding us all of his wonderful wit and exceptional intellect...
He will be missed by all who loved his words...
One of my favorite posters.
Rest in peace to all that have passed. 
This place is gonna feel a little emptier without him.
His posts were always worth reading.
We will miss you greatly, Jackpine Radical...
RIP JackpineRadical
Loved his posts
I just don't know what to say. 
I'm just crushed by this news. He was a really good man. My heart is with his loved ones.
Thank you for sharing.
Just sorrow.
My heart goes out to his family and friends.
Rest in Peace, dear man.
I'm so sorry. RIP.
He was a wonderful person. I always enjoyed reading his posts.
Please pass along my condolences to his family and other friends. And also my deepest sympathies to you on the loss of your friend.
Your text should be shared.
He will certainly be missed here on DU.
My sympathies to his family and friends.
and insight.
RIP
RIP, Jim. I will miss you.
You were a wise man, and if you thought what you wrote wasn't significant, you were wrong.
I always enjoyed what he had to say. Very sad indeed. RIP.
Condolences to his family. RIP Jackpine Radical.
He shared so much here.
So many of our greats have headed off to that great voting booth in the sky lately. Jackpine Radical was one of the best. I honestly feel like I've lost a family member. May his wife and family know how beloved and respected he has been here.
Jackpine Radical, hail and farewell.
J
RIP, bro. They just don't make 'em like you anymore.
Condolences to everyone and everything.
Being able to leave my condolences makes me feel a little better.
But it still stinks.
It still stinks.
I'm so sorry.
I really liked him.
RIP Jackpine Radical
Seems that I just recommended something that he said on a thread a couple of days ago. Not only was he clever and wise, but so very kind. I was always interested to read what he had to say here, one of my longtime favorite DUers. This is a huge loss for DU and he'll be terribly missed.
I have always thought of JackpineRadical as one of the good ones.
Thank you for sharing the tribute to Jim, sybylla. That was one wonderful tribute—highly entertaining. See how he was....
I remember JackpineRadical from back around 2006, I enjoyed his posts. May he Rest in Peace.
RIP, JackpineRadical.
You will be greatly missed.
Even though I only knew you as Jackpine Radical and your words on an iPad I thoroughly enjoyed your company. I will miss your presence. You are a treasure.
RIP JackpineRadical
he had a sound-minded sense in his posts, he was warm to others here and saved his ridicule for politicians who deserved every bit of his disdain.
RIP friend.
2na
He was a special person and will be missed so much for all he contributed here.
for Jim....and hopefully we will meet again in a big DU Reunion somewhere in the sky.
He was one of DU's best, imo. A reason to come here.
May his loved ones find peace, though it will be hard to do.
RIP Jackpine, I know we will be thinking of you for a very long time with both sadness and gratitude that we had a chance to know you
I looked forward to JackpineRadicals insightful and a little off center OP's and replies. He was a good one and will be missed by many.
from an internet comrade.
He was a DU gem and will be greatly missed.
He was mostly spot on with his posts and how things might be viewed.
In one degree or another we are richer with knowledge from him, i think i will run with it 
cyberspace. RIP JPR.
It was nice that you included his random thoughts, they brought a smile to my face.
Rest in peace, Jim.
So sick about this. RIP Jackpine.
tears are flowing I loved the personality that flowed from his words here. Thank you sybylla for sharing your experience of friendship and connection with Jim. Let me just say, this piece is beautiful as was the person who wrote it.
So many now .
Thank you.
a genuine person with a good heart; which will be missed here.
My thoughts go out to his family, his friends and the DUers he touched.
RDO
Response to sybylla (Original post)
