tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-632224265015382373.post5733654468503756773..comments2022-07-22T07:20:58.369-07:00Comments on Martin Manley Memorial: In loving memory of our friend Martin ManleyAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02676191973926807364noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-632224265015382373.post-51158335875192479502013-09-20T07:36:49.392-07:002013-09-20T07:36:49.392-07:00Phil and I went to Overland Park this Wednesday to...Phil and I went to Overland Park this Wednesday to finish up some of Martin's affairs. Prior to going to the Police Station to pick up property Martin had on him when he died, we had lunch with Teri. She happened to mention that the day before he died, he didn't have a fedora on and she thought that was unusual. We conjectured that he must have donated all of his fedoras by then. <br /><br />I don't know if it's been stated anywhere but Martin had totally cleaned out his residence. There was not one item of clothing left. <br /><br />We were quite surprised later that day when we found a fedora in the possessions received from the police. It is a beautiful hat with a cross on it. He obviously had saved it to wear for his suicide. If I can't attach the picture here, I will send it to Todd to put in with the other pictures. Barbiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17705688977829287148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-632224265015382373.post-7948362943186253822013-09-17T11:20:09.416-07:002013-09-17T11:20:09.416-07:00I was a big fan of SIR. Having grown up in Kansas ...I was a big fan of SIR. Having grown up in Kansas City, I think I shared all of my favorite sports teams with Martin--especially KU basketball. I checked his blog almost every day since he updated it so religiously. I currently live not too far from Pawnee Rock, where Martin grew up, so I became even more interested in his work when I realized that connection. I drove through Pawnee Rock just a few days before I heard about his suicide. I'm sure I'll think about him now every time I drive through. My prayers are with all of his family and friends.Tim Ericksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02250234113051047647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-632224265015382373.post-33695313277515393972013-09-07T06:01:34.412-07:002013-09-07T06:01:34.412-07:00Hi to all who were fortunate indeed to know Martin... Hi to all who were fortunate indeed to know Martin.<br /><br />I cannot tell you how his story has touched me.<br /><br />It takes a lot of courage to do what he did. I can never reconcile suicide as an option but Martin did what he did the way that he did and clearly explained his reasons on his site and for that I think we all are extremely grateful.<br /><br />My father was bi-polar and took his own life when I was 14. This was a tremendous shock to the whole family as you can imagine, especially as he didn't leave a suicide note, being in that terrible state of mind where he thought that he was worth more to us dead than alive.<br /><br />Unfortunately for him the Life Insurance had a suicide clause, so we were left bereft, in many more ways than one.<br /><br />I am so happy for all his family and friends that he did what he did, the way that he did, because you all have so much better closure than we, and I must say that Martin's whole site, which I have read from beginning to end, has been absolutely wonderful for me. I feel so very privileged to have been allowed this insight into a wonderful, caring, loving, extremely talented and highly intelligent man.<br /><br />Thank you to all concerned for allowing us all to gain access to this site, via mirror sites, as his story has enriched all our lives. <br /><br />May you all live long and well.<br /><br />Kim in the U.K.KimShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17742376164768778454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-632224265015382373.post-29766441767177074792013-09-01T01:11:51.785-07:002013-09-01T01:11:51.785-07:00Hello family and friends of Martin as well as fell...Hello family and friends of Martin as well as fellow strangers touched by his story. I just this moment finished reading his blog in its entirety after starting it on August 16. Like many others, I had never heard of Martin Manley until he made his physical exit; I became aware of his story when a fellow commenter on dailythunder.com (a favorite basketball website) posted a link.<br /><br />At first, I was totally horrified and saddened by what he had done--and especially by the precision, coolness, and reason that were behind his thought processes. The more I read, however, the more I came to understand. What had seemed completely unfathomable gradually became understandable in the context of who he was and how he approached life. I'm not sure I can properly explain why I felt compelled to read about the views, experiences, interests, and accomplishments of someone I'd never known. All I know is that once I started, I knew I was intrigued by who this person was and somehow almost felt like I "owed" it to his memory to finish. [So, Martin, I finished . . . except for Sports in Review which I will definitely revisit later!] Oddly enough too, I came across one of my own quirks in his writing--one I didn't know was shared by anyone else: the tendency to convert letters of the alphabet to numbers and try to make them "fit".<br /><br />Really just wanted to express my sympathy to those who knew Martin and echo the sentiments of many others here who didn't. His blog and his sharing were truly remarkable. I was completely disarmed by his willingness to reflect on his life with unflinching honesty. As I recently told a good friend, it was like his declaration to the world: "I was here. I wasn't great, I did some stuff, and screwed up a lot, but dammit, I was here."<br /><br />Thank you for providing this spot to read and share the reactions of others. While I'm still saddened by Martin's death, I feel enriched by what he left behind.<br /><br />Michele<br />Chickasha, OK ThunderChick2010https://www.blogger.com/profile/16339369232265681536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-632224265015382373.post-28273939660234422462013-08-29T16:27:44.580-07:002013-08-29T16:27:44.580-07:00I'm just sad to think that I had a cousin of s...I'm just sad to think that I had a cousin of some sort that I didn't know about that I might have helped. Well, Manleys are tough, sometimes too tough, and I wish there'd been some way to help him.<br /><br />May he rest in peace until his awakening in glory. +<br /><br />James Manley<br />Ocala, FLAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01642406139172653026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-632224265015382373.post-18766688301531667042013-08-29T09:08:42.093-07:002013-08-29T09:08:42.093-07:00For everyone who attended Martin's service las...For everyone who attended Martin's service last night, and for those who could not make it, I just wanted to say that I thought it was the most beautiful healing funeral/service I had ever attended. <br /><br />The Pastors (who were also Martin's friends) were absolutely wonderful, and the choir with whom Martin had sang for 13 years was superb. Seeing Martin's friends (and meeting some for the first time) was so special. To all of you who came came last night, sent cards, emailed, called, assisted me in some way, or put a note on this blog...thank you and God bless you all!Barbiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17705688977829287148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-632224265015382373.post-20074309931635974632013-08-29T09:01:21.584-07:002013-08-29T09:01:21.584-07:00Cajun;
Different friends and family have taken th...Cajun;<br /><br />Different friends and family have taken the ashes. Some will be in urns, some will be spread in one of his favorite places, and some will be buried. He will be spread out. Barbiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17705688977829287148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-632224265015382373.post-76372993735278599232013-08-29T06:39:53.633-07:002013-08-29T06:39:53.633-07:00I knew nothing of Martin Manley before this and I&...I knew nothing of Martin Manley before this and I've read his website extensively. I truly emphathize with him when he saw his friend Frank go through what he went through and I can see his reasoning of doing what he did. I'm an In-Home Health Care Aide and I've been to a few homes and see the rapid deterioration of the mind because of disease and I won't go there also like Martin didn't. My question. Was Martins ashes scattered somewhere or are they kept in an urn somewhere?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02414746749055262612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-632224265015382373.post-15434580702228240182013-08-28T10:49:30.234-07:002013-08-28T10:49:30.234-07:00I am a total and complete stranger but after learn...I am a total and complete stranger but after learning about this, on Monday (8/26/13), I couldn’t stop reading Martin’s site and feeling for him. I am actually so happy for him and I bet he is just dancing around with happiness! It takes a lot of heart to do what he did and I really respect that. How he said goodbye to you all, in his very own way. Leaving you all feeling much better, with much less emptiness than you would’ve had otherwise. I think its amazing. I will continue to pray for Martin and all of his friends & family to heal well and carry on his legacy. Really, this is an amazing story and moved me immensely. Take care all!!! ~ TerraTerra Poissonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05913490283327580942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-632224265015382373.post-37445401393143491662013-08-28T10:02:27.013-07:002013-08-28T10:02:27.013-07:00Thanks to everyone who replied to my questions. T...Thanks to everyone who replied to my questions. Those were the answers I expected, but it is good to know. Missing him along with you,<br /><br />DanielMadness Tropy Contest Topicshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02754486875385632141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-632224265015382373.post-11202063686898387582013-08-28T08:20:50.744-07:002013-08-28T08:20:50.744-07:00Kip;
Regarding Martin stealing golf balls: Wow! ...Kip;<br /><br />Regarding Martin stealing golf balls: Wow! All that time we (I and our parents) believed Martin when he said that he and Mike were finding them in the ditch along Adams street and selling them up at the club house. Too funny. Barbiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17705688977829287148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-632224265015382373.post-65424371312827533272013-08-27T17:36:40.573-07:002013-08-27T17:36:40.573-07:00Daniel,
I think with Martin it's important to...Daniel,<br /><br />I think with Martin it's important to realize how much Sports in Review(and his earlier UFR blog) meant to him. Martin made over 2,500 posts and I know he was extremely proud of each and every one of them.<br /><br />Because SIR meant so much to him he couldn't slow down but at the same time he couldn't keep up with writing articles every single day. He said he basically had been on the internet for the last 15 years and he didn't eat very healthy nor exercise much. He could feel it catching up to him, as it would anybody. <br /><br />Ultimately, Martin wanted to go out on top, which he most certainly did. E Haineshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15842988621797379725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-632224265015382373.post-34082802884976620942013-08-27T13:38:32.999-07:002013-08-27T13:38:32.999-07:00Dear Madness;
Thank you for your post. Martin wa...Dear Madness;<br /><br />Thank you for your post. Martin was as sharp as ever. He had no signs of dementia. For as long as I can remember, he would forget things we had talked about, but that was just because he had so many other things on his mind. If anything in the last few years, he was remembering things better than he ever had. <br /><br />Regarding donating organs: Martin really tried. The letter he sent to me (which I read around 5:30 AM)basically told me what he'd done, that I would need to set aside my shock,and that I would need to call the police immediately to identify him and make sure they got his organs. <br /><br />I did the best I could. However, the police told me that once there is no heart beat that the medical people would not try to harvest them. Martin had already alerted some transplant places in KC and I learned that they tried their best to get what they could also. Unfortunately, no organs were harvested. My best information is that the autopsy and bureaucracy got in the way of harvesting the eyes and maybe some other things. However, the good news is that he was able to donate a lot of tissue that I was told would help over 50 different people. That helped me feel a little better. Barbiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17705688977829287148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-632224265015382373.post-77827618296658399112013-08-27T07:05:27.973-07:002013-08-27T07:05:27.973-07:00Daniel,
Martin wasn't able to donate his orga...Daniel,<br /><br />Martin wasn't able to donate his organs, but they were able to harvest his tissues which can help up to 50 people. Martin did not have dementia, just the normal forgetfulness that one would expect of someone his age. He hated losing any of his mental acuity though, and worried that it was a sign of future deterioration. He had watched his parents decline in old age, and he never wanted to go through that. I can assure you that he had a nice head of hair under that fedora; I never understood why he wanted to keep it covered up all the time.Teri Hansonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05081761107781089492noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-632224265015382373.post-52873622775012197712013-08-27T06:26:02.486-07:002013-08-27T06:26:02.486-07:00"perhaps more than a puppy or a hobby that co..."perhaps more than a puppy or a hobby that could not intelligently express love/desire/want/need back to him; I believe he would still be here." - That's not unconditional love. I am talking about giving love without expecting nothing in return. We can only do this to our own children I think. Love to a wife, to a friend or to a relative are always subjected to problems, disagreements and frustration. Unless of course you are loving a nice puppy. :)<br /> Rebeccahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04237518133051472642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-632224265015382373.post-75798256310318259252013-08-26T23:47:46.627-07:002013-08-26T23:47:46.627-07:00Part 2: I hope you don't mind me posing my tw...Part 2: I hope you don't mind me posing my two unsolved questions. In the days ahead I hope to read some answers in replies to this post:<br /><br />1. He did all he could to make it possible for at least some of his organs to be useful to save others' lives. Did this happen?<br /><br />2. On his comprehensive website he says he was in good health. Yet at the same time he indicates very strong symptoms of the onset of dementia. We all have experienced forgetfulness, but nothing like what he describes. In my very limited time with him I saw no indication of anything like that (but that kind of thing is not easy to see). Does anyone know if he was ever diagnosed with any form of dementia?<br /><br />Thanks in advance, if you can help solve these "mysteries". With fond memories of Martin, appreciatively yours,<br /><br />Daniel GoeringMadness Tropy Contest Topicshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02754486875385632141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-632224265015382373.post-58002719215343231472013-08-26T23:45:45.228-07:002013-08-26T23:45:45.228-07:00From Martin's Blog-friend, Daniel
Thanks so m...From Martin's Blog-friend, Daniel<br /><br />Thanks so much for putting up this memorial site. It gives me a chance to add my experience with Martin (Part 1), as well as to ask two questions (and hopefully be able to read replies which answer them), which I have not as yet seen addressed in all that I have read (Part 2 - because of length will be a separate post).<br /><br />Part 1: As a life-long Jayhawk fan, somewhere back in the Upon Further Review days, I ran across his blog and became an avid reader. I loved his analytical and statistical approach as well as his wit and writing style. I live in Germany and would often read his posts before most anyone, and if I saw a typo, I'd tip him off about it. We corresponded a bit. <br /><br />Then last June, I was back in KC for a conference, and thought it would be fun to get to meet him. We met at the Wendy's at 75th and I-35 on Friday, June 21. It was like meeting your clone, who is five years younger. It was simply uncanny how many things we had in common. I grew up mostly in the KC area (not Topeka) but also had a portion of my childhood when we moved out to western Kansas. I studied Mathematics and could totally identify with keeping statistics on simply everything, not just baseball. I would sit on the porch and keep track of the cars going by, how many per hour, which make of car, keeping percentages, etc. Don't take this as a boast, but I am almost as obsessed with numbers as Martin was. I also worked for the KC Star for a while. I like to call myself very frugal (ok, I'm just plain cheap). On and on went the similarities. Next thing you knew, we had been talking for three solid hours.<br /><br />One of my main reasons for wanting to meet Martin, was to find out where he stood on faith. I had the opportunity to go through my experience in becoming a Christian. It had a lot to do with a book about biblical prophecy. This book shows the mathematical probability of the prophecy in the Bible coming true apart from a supernatural creator. I later sent an electronic version of the book, which Martin read and wrote back that he thought the math was solid. I was a bit surprised, but pleased to discover that he was also a believer.<br /><br />At one point in our conversation we started talking about bucket lists. He made some comment that indicated he did not have much longer to live. Since he never took his Fedora off, I figured he must be battling cancer or something, but did not pry.<br /><br />Then on August 15 I saw the title of his last blog post and started to read it out loud to my wife. We came to the part which said "earlier today I committed suicide". Of course we were shocked and saddened. We read those words at about 4:30 AM KC time. I wrote a desperation e-mail, begging him to call me (collect). To no avail, of course. But in the meantime, I know what my line of reasoning would have been. I would have laid out a statistical analysis of the greatest contributions to society performed by people over 60 years of age. (I know it wouldn't have worked, but I would have loved to try.)<br /><br />Taking your own life is typically a very selfish thing. And, bottom line, he just didn't want to grow old. But the lengths he went to with his intricate plan showed incredible consideration of others. How hard he tried to donate a kidney, and have his organs benefit others, growing his hair out, etc. My hat is off to him (pun intended). Part 2 in next post...<br />Madness Tropy Contest Topicshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02754486875385632141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-632224265015382373.post-62265345107063363932013-08-26T23:26:28.024-07:002013-08-26T23:26:28.024-07:00I read Martin's entire website from a mirrored...I read Martin's entire website from a mirrored site after Yahoo took his prepaid site down. I read everything. I cried...no, I wept when I listened to him sing "Lady". I know he made his decision and probably checked, double checked and even triple checked! I came from the site feeling that Martin, like me, just can't connect to people 100%. I do believe he was lonely. I believe he wanted someone to love and maybe have children with, but just didn't connect in the same way other people do. This is just my opinion, of course, but I came away as others...wishing I HAD known him. I will be listening to him sing his songs for a very long time. I believe he has left the legacy he desired!!! Love to all his family and frinds!!!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15922282027886078295noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-632224265015382373.post-59098886496307251242013-08-26T22:27:56.555-07:002013-08-26T22:27:56.555-07:00@Rebecca, great point to which I echo your ideals ...@Rebecca, great point to which I echo your ideals and sentiment. Had Martin given his heart and the responsibility of his self to someone or something, perhaps more than a puppy or a hobby that could not intelligently express love/desire/want/need back to him; I believe he would still be here. All though I must digress, Martin addressed this point, layered inside one of his masterful blogs, a point made about not having anyone to burden too heavily upon his passing.<br /><br />A truly brilliant man that I respect so much more than many of the living.<br /><br />Martin Manley, you have left your exclamation mark on the world and I will watch the movie about your life as i'm certain Hollywood has already bought the rights.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15208037844458554991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-632224265015382373.post-48478628991108416592013-08-26T15:59:53.592-07:002013-08-26T15:59:53.592-07:00I did not know Martin... I wish i had though. I...I did not know Martin... I wish i had though. I'm a 28 yr old guy living in California. I have shared links of Martin's website on Facebook and also have told everyone I could to read what I have read about this man. I KNOW NOW how special this man was. I have teared up a bit reading some of his website, but I have also laughed quite a bit. He was a really funny guy!!! I check Google everyday to see if there is any other news about Martin Manley. My thoughts and prayers are with the family. I also want the family to know that people of ALL ages are interested in getting to know Martin. It would have been a real honor to meet the guy. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09502581713976453037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-632224265015382373.post-24512435349024335062013-08-26T14:39:18.053-07:002013-08-26T14:39:18.053-07:00RIP Martin RIP Martin Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-632224265015382373.post-72425758762144017552013-08-26T14:37:47.075-07:002013-08-26T14:37:47.075-07:00i also read about this on CNN. i like you got curi...i also read about this on CNN. i like you got curious and read the whole story and i feel like Martin did what he did so he could be in complete control of his end with pain,suffering or debt!! the only thing i found that he did wrong other than ending his own life was one typo he made!!!! that would drive him crazy!!! i have read his whole story and i personally think he did what he was going to do no matter what!! prayers go out to his family. RIP Martin Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-632224265015382373.post-74811252034900206732013-08-26T13:20:29.990-07:002013-08-26T13:20:29.990-07:00I am not religious, I don't believe in heaven ...I am not religious, I don't believe in heaven or in an afterlife. Jesus was no god (that's stupid) but a very enlightened man. However I do believe there is only one salvation: LOVE. Come one, let's cut the BS and get real like Martin so courageously did. We are all hypocrites. We only care about ourselves. For some people, specially the smart ones, life can be very boring. And it only gets worse as you get old. I sympathize with Martin. However I do believe there was a better escape: LOVE. He should have had kids. That's the only form of true unconditional love. Whoever says otherwise is just plain dumb (low IQ) or hypocrite. Or at least Martin should have gotten a puppy. Love is what he needed. Not love from himself. He need to love someone or something. Without that, what else can we do besides business deals?Rebeccahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04237518133051472642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-632224265015382373.post-5047994245856323582013-08-26T12:21:15.019-07:002013-08-26T12:21:15.019-07:00I didn't know Martin and I came across his blo...I didn't know Martin and I came across his blog quite by accident, a day after he took his life. When I came across the blog I did a double take on the date and realized it had JUST happened and my heart fell into my stomach. I felt sorrow for a man and his family that I didn't even know. I read the entire blog and realized that it wasn't an accident that I came upon Martins blog. After reading it for hours and hearing his voice sing some of his favorite songs and seeing his hat collection, reading his thoughts and likes right down to the pizza lover in him, I realized we weren't that different. Martin was someone I would liked to have met. I love song duets and of course pizza! AND I had been on that quest for the worlds best slushy Since the ones you buy at the gas station aren't as good as they used to be years ago....I will be trying his recipe to :-) It seems like Martin had so many friends and family that loved him, good jobs, not too many worries, he was good looking and had what seemed to be a good life. Most people only have a few of those things...myself included. I think he just needed peace for himself and this was how he chose to let go. I believe in God and the power of forgiveness, I believe he was forgiven and that he is truly happy and in a better place. I know loss is not any easy thing for any family especially when it's a suicide (I hate that word!) but please know Barbie even though we have never met, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Martins Legacy will go on even if his blog doesn't (which I hope stays up for eternity) because all those that have read it..... will remember. <br />Hugs, JenJennahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03183543491460620914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-632224265015382373.post-76995139440202810272013-08-26T08:49:35.460-07:002013-08-26T08:49:35.460-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Teri Hansonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05081761107781089492noreply@blogger.com