Anybody talked to Greg/Walt personally? Admin Edit: RIP Walt

[GuitarBilly]

Back when I was in L.A. I volunteered at a Raptor Center. Greg and I talked a lot about it on PMs, since he knew so much about animal shelters.

But I'd only work a few hours a week and go home. It was hard work.

Greg's entire life was dedicated to helping animals. It takes a special kind of soul to do this at the level he did. The world needs more people like him.

[ibenhad]

Damn it's always the good ones that go to young. So sorry Scott. Gregg Noble sounds like he was a stellar human who had suffered enough. So F'ing sad. I have liked his animal sanctuary and will share the post for donations. Maybe we could sticky the Sanctuary info here as a memorial and for people to donate to. I am all about saving beings that have no voice.

[JiveTurkey]

Stein; much much mojo sent to you. This is a tough one. Take care of yourself!

[Devin]

Man I’m fuckin wrecked.

Greg and I bonded over a gear trade; I had a guitar he wanted and he offered me a DSL combo for it and I said ok.

That was 10+ years ago and as of last month he still had that guitar. He still loved it, rocked it all the time and would call me to ask what I thought about putting in this pickup or those tuners or whatever.

I’m 49 and at my age it’s really hard to find guys that have shared life experiences. I haven’t really talked about this on this or any other forum, but I’ve struggled with drugs, I’ve been in both the military and in prison. I’ve straightened up my life in the last 20 years and I’m doing ok.

Greg was the same; drugs, military and prison and we talked about all of it all the time. After all of that, if you’re honest with a person, it’s sometimes hard for them to take you at face value. I remember him telling me numerous times ‘you’re not that guy anymore, you don’t have to BE that guy anymore. You don’t have to give in to the rage, the anger, the violence. You don’t have to hurt people, it’s ok to let things go.’

And I did. Thanks to Greg. He’s part of the reason I am who I am today; a solid guy with a good job, I make serious money and have a family that I take care of.

I loved that guy. I know we said it to each other drunkenly many times; both of us marveled at the fact that at our age we could find a friend that we’d be this close to, that we’d have this much in common with. I really wish I could have said it one more time.

I’m sad. I’m really sad that my good friend is gone. He was a rare person, and anyone that got to know him would realize it. Fuck man, anyone that even had a conversation with him would know that.

I’m sad that there aren’t going to be any more random conversations, no gear talk, no random ‘it’s Wednesday so here’s a video of one of my dogs’.

There isn’t going to be anything.

I’m sad. I miss my friend, I miss the fact that I’m never going to hear his voice again, he’s never again going to take the time to send me music he wants me to listen to and then call me to talk about; he’s never going to call me with a problem I could help him with.

He wasn’t a ‘good dude’. He was the fuckin BEST guy. He was the guy that all of us should strive to be.

He had a good job, he provided for his family and aside from that he straight up FOUNDED a non-profit animal sanctuary that took in literally anything. Last time I talked to him he had numerous dogs, cats, iguanas, alpacas, fuckin crocodiles (dude sent me vids of that shit it was crazy) birds, snakes, motherfucking PENGUINS.

I just talked to Michelle.

Greg killed himself.

Just typing those words made me break up.

I thought I was that guy in his life that could stop that. I thought he could call me and I could make that go away.

I wasn’t. I had no missed calls, no unread texts, nothing.

He gave me no iindication that he was even thinking about this.

End of the day I miss my guy.

There’s nothing that can make up for this. He was my dude and I don’t ever get to talk to him again, about anything.

FML

Was he sick?

[RaceU4her]

damn, i so sorry Stein. RIP Walt

[Dave]

I’m so sorry to hear, Stein. Walt was a great asset to the community and always seemed like a genuinely nice guy.

[Bonano]

F me . . .

Stein's good words saddened me.

But on the other hand, I'm surprised that, just on this forum, at least two of you guys had such soul mates.

[Steinmetzify]

Man I’m fuckin wrecked.

Greg and I bonded over a gear trade; I had a guitar he wanted and he offered me a DSL combo for it and I said ok.

That was 10+ years ago and as of last month he still had that guitar. He still loved it, rocked it all the time and would call me to ask what I thought about putting in this pickup or those tuners or whatever.

I’m 49 and at my age it’s really hard to find guys that have shared life experiences. I haven’t really talked about this on this or any other forum, but I’ve struggled with drugs, I’ve been in both the military and in prison. I’ve straightened up my life in the last 20 years and I’m doing ok.

Greg was the same; drugs, military and prison and we talked about all of it all the time. After all of that, if you’re honest with a person, it’s sometimes hard for them to take you at face value. I remember him telling me numerous times ‘you’re not that guy anymore, you don’t have to BE that guy anymore. You don’t have to give in to the rage, the anger, the violence. You don’t have to hurt people, it’s ok to let things go.’

And I did. Thanks to Greg. He’s part of the reason I am who I am today; a solid guy with a good job, I make serious money and have a family that I take care of.

I loved that guy. I know we said it to each other drunkenly many times; both of us marveled at the fact that at our age we could find a friend that we’d be this close to, that we’d have this much in common with. I really wish I could have said it one more time.

I’m sad. I’m really sad that my good friend is gone. He was a rare person, and anyone that got to know him would realize it. Fuck man, anyone that even had a conversation with him would know that.

I’m sad that there aren’t going to be any more random conversations, no gear talk, no random ‘it’s Wednesday so here’s a video of one of my dogs’.

There isn’t going to be anything.

I’m sad. I miss my friend, I miss the fact that I’m never going to hear his voice again, he’s never again going to take the time to send me music he wants me to listen to and then call me to talk about; he’s never going to call me with a problem I could help him with.

He wasn’t a ‘good dude’. He was the fuckin BEST guy. He was the guy that all of us should strive to be.

He had a good job, he provided for his family and aside from that he straight up FOUNDED a non-profit animal sanctuary that took in literally anything. Last time I talked to him he had numerous dogs, cats, iguanas, alpacas, fuckin crocodiles (dude sent me vids of that shit it was crazy) birds, snakes, motherfucking PENGUINS.

I just talked to Michelle.

Greg killed himself.

Just typing those words made me break up.

I thought I was that guy in his life that could stop that. I thought he could call me and I could make that go away.

I wasn’t. I had no missed calls, no unread texts, nothing.

He gave me no iindication that he was even thinking about this.

End of the day I miss my guy.

There’s nothing that can make up for this. He was my dude and I don’t ever get to talk to him again, about anything.

FML

Was he sick?

He was not, bro.

Talking to Michelle for quite a few hours over the last couple days...he was just tired of it.

Tired of life, tired of the struggle and heartache and even though I know he fuckin LOVED doing the Sanctuary, he was tired of the fact that it had to happen, that other people didn't see animals the way he did; tired of the fact that everyone didn't do it too.

Struggling with this; driving around talking to myself and him.

I realized this morning that out of all the people I've ever known, Greg wouldn't want me or any of the rest of us to be sad about this.

I was reading something on here earlier today and caught Ajax's signature, he's got a quote from Greg in there and it made me laugh.

Just like he always did. I'm going to focus on that going forward.

Last text I sent to him before I found out was 'yo wake the fuck up and text a brother back, are you alive?!'

There's no actual way for this to happen, but I know if he could have read it being dead he'd have cracked the fuck up.

I'll see you in the next life, guy.

I hope that if you still exist in some way that you're happier now. Save some of whatever you're smoking out there for me.

Later on sir.

[GuitarBilly]

motherfucking PENGUINS.

Greg would've LOL'd at this.

[JiveTurkey]

Big hug, Stein

[indienoise]

It's always the good ones...

May he be surrounded by all the sweet animals he cared for that have also passed on.

Honestly...I don't know if there's a better blessing to be wished on someone than that.

[Zozobra]

Damn, this is awful. I'm in Antarctica at the moment, so I'll name the next penguin I meet Greg.

[ajaxlepinski]

It really is tough finding righteous friends at any age and it's near impossible the older you get.
Walt and I PM'd each other a few years ago when he was more active here. I always called him Walt in our PMs.
We had some good PM chats, he sent me a few photos and invited me to visit.
I knew I'd never have a chance to visit, but now I feel bad that we never spoke. Ya really gotta grab them cakes while they're hot.

[TurboPablo]

Is there a link for donating to the sanctuary?

[greatmutah]

This was posted on their Facebook

https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/noblean ... IppHI50Gqw

[lester]

Walt seemed like a good dude, that's a shame. His little pals are gonna miss him.

[GuitarBilly]

This was posted on their Facebook

https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/noblean ... IppHI50Gqw

Thanks!!! I will add this to the OP for visibility

[NinjaRaf]

Fuck man that blows. I didn’t have any one on one interactions with him, but I’ve seen my fair share of loss recently and I feel for those who cares about him. Terrible to hear. So sorry dudes.

[maggotspawn]

Sad to hear. RIP Walt.

[boris the blade]

RIP

[ke2]

I only saw this now. I didn't have any personal interactions with him, but I remember his name. I'm so sorry for the loss his friends have had.

This is from the FB-page of the shelter. I don't know if it's him, but I often think that how a person treats animals says a lot about the person. About their ability to care, especially for those who really can't give anything but gratitude and possibly affection back.

[GuitarBilly]

Yeah Greg's love for animals was amazing. They were his whole life. And his vast amount of knowledge was equally impressive. Truly a special person. The world needs more people like him.

[Tortuga]

['63-Strat]

Oof, RIP Walt. I hadn't logged in here forever and he had PM'd me on 09/07/22 and now is too late. Donated. Was nice to talk to another vegan on here.

[jackbootedthug]

may I post this over on rig-talk? does anyone know if he was a member there? thanks....