Oh my gosh Russell... I'm so sorry to hear this. I didn't know him as well, and hadn't interacted with him in years... but it is so sad to lose a friend like this.
If you can, please pass along our condolences to his family.
I'm sorry to hear this news -- it's never a good time to lose a friend, and getting the news at this time of year makes it even more difficult to bear.
I just discovered some very sad news. Chris "Crazy" Ivan, one of the original hosts and creators of Sens Underground, has passed away from cancer. He was way to young. A truly nice guy. Life ain't fair.