Michael Menduno hospitalized with stroke

[BoltSnap]

That is very sad indeed. I have known him since the 1990s, when "technical diving" was starting to become popular and getting out of the closet.

 

[Bob Evans]

A dear Friend.

 

[argyris]

RIP my dear friend. From the early days of aquacoprs you create and lead technical diving evolution until today. I cherish our moments back then, you will be missed, but not forgoten.

 

[NothingClever]

Sad news indeed.

I'm hopeful that the GUE Conference and DEMA organizers take time out for some kind of memorial tribute to celebrate Michael's contributions to diving over the past 35 years.

 

[Bob Evans]

Going to miss our Special friend M2. So SAD.

 

[tursiops]

Pete Nawrocky posted this on his Facebook page:

"We have lost a treasure. Michael Menduno made an incredible mark on the dive industry in an amazing number of ways. He started the term Tech diving, his writings and contributions have left an indelible mark on the dive industry. I always looked forward to seeing him anywhere. Godspeed my friend we will miss you

"​

 

[Dr Simon Mitchell]

M2 was a thread that linked this (at times) disparate community together. Over a decades-long period of influence in tech diving he was able to stay remarkably agency-faction-agnostic by sheer force of his engaging personality, humor, boundless enthusiasm and plain old uncomplicated niceness. Everyone liked and respected Michael. He was a tireless worker for the field, bringing initiatives with genuine impact, like Rebreather Forum 4 two years ago. In my work I'm uncomfortably accustomed to seeing tragedy unfold in people's lives and deaths, but seeing Michael go out like this really rocks me. He's a massive loss. I will miss him.

Simon M

 

[Kay Dee]

Vale Michael, RIP.

I hope there's a place, way down in the sea,
Where divers can go, when at rest they must be.
A place where a guy could buy a cold beer
For a friend and a buddy whose memory is dear.
A place where no lawyer would dare to tread,
Nor a management type would dare be caught dead!
Just a quaint little place, kind of dark, full of brass,
Where they like to sing loud, and love a good pass!
But still the kind of a place where even a lady could go,
And feel safe and secure by the men she would know.

There must be a place where old divers go,
When their legs become weary, when their breathing gets low;
Where the whiskey is old, and the women are young,
And songs about diving and the wrecks they found are all sung.
Where you'd see all the fellows who'd "dived deep" before,
And they'd call out your name, as you came thru the door,
Who would buy you a drink, if your thirst should be bad,
And relate to the others, "He was quite a good lad!"
And then thru the murk you'd spot an old man
You had not seen for years, who'd once shown you a ‘plan’,
He'd nod his old head, and grin ear to ear,
And say, "Welcome, M2, I'm pleased you are here!”

For this is the place where all divers must come,
When their diving is over, and their depths have been swum;
We've come here at last, to be safe and afar,
From the government clerk, and the management czar,
Politicians and lawyers, the Feds and the noise,
Where all Hours are Happy, and all these good ol' boys,
Can relax with a 'cool one', and a well deserved rest.
"This is Heaven, M2: You've passed your last test!”