Keith "Mortin" Whitsitt

[celcho]

I don't know how many people know of or remember Keith, but he's the high school kid that started icrontic.com and made it something through his hard work. He was my best friend in high school, and I will always remember him fondly. Almost everyday after he started Icrontic, I would go over to his house after school to work on the site. Though he occasionally steped on people's toes and upset some of you online, he still created something pretty great.

After high school, he went to the University of Florida as a computer engineering major. After two years of working on that major and finishing most of the classes that were most difficult for him, he abrubtly changed his major to business. This was about a month ago, and it was one of the last times I would ever talk to Keith.

Last night, he was checked into the hospital in Gainesville, FL with a gunshot wound to the head and is now in a coma suffering from swelling of the brain and massive brain damage. Apperently his body temperature is rising to dangerous levels and his mother has chosen to pull the plug in the morning. The information is sketchy, but they originally thought he had killed himself, though, now they think he may have been shot.

Whatever your opinion of Keith, I thought at least some of you here might like to hear what happened to him.

[TBonZ]

OMG Celcho! :(

My condolences Celcho as you know him personally, I'm so sorry. :bawling:

I think in large part Mortin was largely misunderstood but I always liked Keith and I'm greatly saddened by this news. My prayers are with you Celcho, Keith's parents, family & friends.

Keith was a great supporter of the Icrontic/SM folding Team, he donated much cash and H/W to the ICx/SMx project for which I was always proud of him for. This is truly a sad day for IC/SM. Thanks Keith for all you have done. :bawling:

RIP Keith Whitsitt.

[celcho]

thanks. i wish people could have undestood keith better. not to say that i ever did 100%, but many of the flaws that came out in real life and in the online world were probably in large part because of the mental problems he fought particularly hard once he went to college. he was bipolar and in the last year or two, i think it must have gotten worse.

[bothered]

That is terrible news. I only got involved in forums because I found Icrontic. I loved it to bits but had only been a member there for a few months when it went down. I know mortin upset a few people but never knew why or cared really, I just though it was a great site. I can only wish the best to his family and friends in what must be a truly horrific situation. If he hadn't set up Icrontic I probably wouldn't be here and I'm grateful to him for that. Thanks Keith, God bless.

[Thrax]

Wow :(

I may have disliked him severely, but with the knowledge that he was bipolar, I don't think I hold anything against him any more. I've seen what it can do to people my whole life. It's a shame you go through life, only to learn about things like this far too late to ever do anything.

God speed, Keith. Wish I could tell you that I was sorry.

[citrixmeta]

My condolences to his family.


ive spoken to keith many times, its a shame to see him go out like that :bawling:

RIP keith...

[RWB]

Sad news indeed, I never knew him or recall ever chatting with him, but he seemed to me like a good guy. My condolences to all who knew him better than I.

[Camman]

Wow, I remember talking to him long ago when he had the "Icrontic Network" because I started my own hardware site that ran for quite a while on that network. I thought he was a good guy, I didnt know him personally or anything but I did talk to him on AIM a bunch because of the whole website thing, I never had an problems with him and I admire that he worked so hard on Icrontic, it was quite a site when it was at it's prime.

My thoughts go out to his family and friends, it's a shame to lose somebody who seemed to have such ambition.

[MediaMan]

Celcho,

He is your friend and I'm sorry you had to bring us this news. I always said this of Keith...when he got to run the world...I'll would go work for him on any day. He was good to be around and good to me.

The Keith I remember is the person I respect and remember fondly. All of this would not have been if it weren't for him. Please keep us informed and please rely upon us if you need a digital place to be.

I knew what Keith was going through. He and I had a long talk one night long ago where he told me what he had gone through, was going through and where he planned to steer towards. I wish he had the chance to succeed.

He never wronged me. He always supported me. He will always be a part of my life. I wish he had that chance to "run the world"...I'd work for him and with him in a heartbeat...the Keith I knew was a very good person.

[MediaMan]

The founder of Icrontic.com, formerly APUs Hardware, lies in a Gainesville, FL hospital. Keith "Mortin" Whitsitt's mother has chosen to let her son go off life support while he lies in a coma suffering from massive damage to the brain from a gunshot wound.

Keith Whitsitt started Icrontic.com in his high school days and the PC Tech website soon became world-renowned because of Keith's antics with his "Ghetto Hardware" articles. Keith's friend, a long time Short-Media.com member by the nickname of Celcho, was there with Keith...his best friend, in those early days of Icrontic. The core of Icrontic.com revolved around one of the web's best overclocking and tech support forums. What is now Short-Media.com came from the ashes of Icrontic.com after it fell victim to a hacker attack.

Even after the fall of Icrontic Keith continued to support the community by making cash and hardware donations to the Icrontic/Short-Media folding effort.

All of us here and across the web to all parts of the world who knew Keith remember him as fiesty, friendly and fun. We remember he got under our skin. He challenged us. He made us think. He made us mad. Most of all...he gave us a home and he won't be forgotten for that.

[EMT]

I'm terribly sorry to hear this news... may Mortin's soul rest in peace.

[Shorty]

Im shocked, stunned and saddened :(

I spoke to Keith regularly on ICQ when I was at Icrontic. He was always buzzing about this and about that. A couple of times things happened and I went to him to ask what to do, he always said "you doing just great.. you decide.. I trust ya".

He brought a different angle to tech sites with the ghetto articles, hacking an xbox and pushing the envelope whenever there was a chance. That's how Il remember him. He had his own personal stamp on things. That was just the way he was.

[Geeky1]

:( I'm truly at a loss for words... he has not passed away yet, so there is still some small glimmer of hope. All I can do is post the first thing that came to my mind, which is this poem written by Dylan Thomas while his father was dying:

Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on that sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

[Jimborae]

Thats sad news, my deepest sympathies go to his family & friends. Without Mortin none of what we have now would have happened.

[madmat]

I'm saddend to hear the news of his injury, I wish my very best for celcho and his family and although I didn't know him I do know that he left his mark upon the world by creating the "family" I'm a member of today. I'm really sorry to hear this.

[floppybootstomp]

I am deeply saddened to hear this. Icrontic was the first Forum I ever joined.

If you can, keep us posted Celcho.

[MoTHA_NaTuRE]

omg, although i never talked to him, and neither do i post often, but i started browsing tech forums because of his apushardware.

all i can say is that if you are here in this forum getting advice and tips, finding friends, having fun, etc. etc. if it was not for mortin, this forum probably would not have been here.

he has affected your life or routine some way or the other.

take care of yourself wherever u go "mortin" :eek: :shakehead :bawling: :bawling:

[Gobbles]

god bless...

shame to loose one so young..

[Enverex]

What.... when.. where? Don't know what to say....

[muddocktor]

WOW, what happened? It's a damn shame to hear this, for sure! :(

[muddocktor]

I'm really sorry to hear about this and my sympathies go out to Mortin's friends and family. I didn't know Mortin very well as he had started letting go of Icrontic about the time I joined, but he must have been something special to get such a great bunch of folks together posting at 1 site. To have him in mortal peril from a gunshot wound to the head is just a damn shame. :(

[TBonZ]

Although, I don't know what his exact condition is at this very moment, godspeed.

[Hawk]

Sorry to hear such sad news. If he was shot-I hope they catch the shooter. I know he was friends with a lot of people here and at IC. It's a sad day when we lose someone with such potential to change the world. Our (wife & I) prayers go out to his family and friends for comfort and healing form such a tragedy.

[mmonnin]

OMG!!

I never really knew him. I asked him one question on AIM once and that was it. He never did anything against me. Basically what I knew about him was what other people said. Most of the time it wasnt good but I was neutral with him. Knowing that he was Bipolar I will never have anything against him, ever. He made a great site in its day and because if it, here we all are.

RIP Keith.

[TheGr81]

He was shot? :( I never knew him, but he gave me a home away from home...

[wb22rules]

My Condolences to the Icrontic/Short-Media family and to Keiths family and friends :( Sorry to hear of your loss :(
RIP Mortin

[Clutch]

My sympathies go out to Keith's family and you celcho. I never actually got to talk to Keith, I actually never had any grduges against him. It is truly sad to hear this news :(

[Dexter]

This is terrible news :(

I was not a member of this community back in the Icrontic days, but have heard many good things about Keith. A knowledgeable and diverse group of personalities gathered together under his initial leadership, and that legacy lives on now here in Short-Media and over at the re-born Icrontic.

My deepest condolences to his family, friends, and to all who knew him through these forums.

Dexter..

[TheGr81]

My sympathies to Keith's friends and family, and to those who knew him here and at IC.

I know what bipolar disorder does to people, I can only hope that those offended by him can understand. :(

Though I never knew or spoke to Keith, he gave me a second home. I am very saddened by this news... :(

-Rick

[Park_7677]

:( I had no idea anything happened to the guy. This is defiantly a sad day :bawling:

My best wishes go out to his family and friends.

[Gargoyle]

I don't even know what to say. I never spoke to him personally, but his efforts at Icrontic were the foundation of nearly all of my computer interests and my involvement in Short-Media. It was always nice to know he was still out there, even long after the fall of the original Icrontic. He'll be missed, and my thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.

[test_tube_tony]

i never really knew the guy, but to all that did, i offer my condolences.

[Trinity]

I never spoke to Keith or got to know him as much as most of you all did.
Without Keith & Icrontic half of us wouldnt be the "friends" we are now.
My hearfelt condolences to his friends and family...tis a sad day for all:(

Natasha xxx

[Nosferatu]

I don't think I ever spoke to Keith personally, but i've been around here since I found out about the apu's hardware from playing on their CS server and have "lurked" around icrontic and s-m since. My heart goes out to him and his family in these terrible days.

[Butters]

My condolences to Keith's family and loved ones.

His articles was the reason why I visited Irontic in the first place, Hacking the Xbox/GC/PS2. Those were awesome articles.... and who could forget the CS situation....

I still have the envelope that Keith's mom (or sister??) sent out with an Icrontic "Spudz" case badge. I have that case badge on my case today too...

Thank you Mortin, for all the knowledge and information I've gained from the communities you've created from ApuH -> Icrontic, and hoping that you can finally find peace.

[FAH_WW]

My condolences too - I can't say I knew any of the IC guys well, but via Shorty I've got to know a few of the guys here and also at the reborn IC site.

It feels wrong to say something too personal without knowing the guy involved, so I'll just say may he rest in peace, and remember him for the good stuff

[Leonardo]

Keith! God rest your soul. Keith and I never did meet personally, but I felt like I knew him at least peripherally. I remember the day I received the Icrontic case badge from him. It was an honor to receive it from the founder of Icrontic, a web site that attracted people from around the world for it's rich technical guidance on via chipsets and early AMD K7 processors. And that site was created by a 14-year-old with fire inside him.

I did not know that Keith was bipolar. That is a vicious brain condition that exacts a heavy toll from its victims.

This is sad day. Good things to remember though: Keith, thank you for showing me how satisfying do-it-yourself computer building and troubleshooting is. You've helped many people. I have rich memories of the early Icrontic and the great community it was.

Lyndon

[Mr TRiot]

:-(

I never knew him...but it's always sad to see someone who contributed so much to go away like this...

Rest In Peace Keith...

[GnomeWizardd]

God be with him and his family, I remember Joing Apus Hardware and watching the site grow Mort and I conversed over IM many times and he was always willing to help. God rest His soul and Long Live Ghetto Hardware!

[celcho]

they're going to pull the plug in the morning. his dad is on the way from texas to see him. he is an organ donor, and i imagine they'll be able to save some lives with the organs they harvest from him, so at least someone will benefit from the tragedy.

[primesuspect]

I just have no idea what to say, except that Keith was the reason I got into all this in the beginning. The site he created was also the first forum site that I visited, registered at, and got involved with. That involvement led to this, which is now a large part of my life and is a big reason that my life is richer for having so many new friends all over the globe. The people here have changed my life and have been members of my family. My kids call some of you "uncle".. All this is directly because of Mortin. Interconnectedness works in wonderful and beautiful ways, and all I can say as testimony to his tragically short life is that all these good things came out of it. So let these friendships and relationships serve as Keith's wonderful eulogy.

Thank you, Keith.

[entropy]

Wow. I never knew him either, seeing as I joined this site quite awhile after it was founded, and had never heard of Icrontic until coming here (wasn't really into computers before this).

But it's amazing how things like this work. Without him, we wouldn't be here. When stuff like this happens, stuff that worked out in such a precise way, and then the original link is broken ... it really makes you step back for a bit and think.

While I didn't know him personally, I'm grateful for all that he did. Thank you and God bless, Keith.

[CyrixInstead]

All of the above. Icrontic was the first forum site I registered to, and I remember fondly the Ghetto Hardware stuff, one video in particular when they kicked the crap out of a computer in the back yard.

I never got to speak to him but I'm shocked and saddened at the news.

I remember he had some nice words to say about this site and it's folding team last year.

All the best to you, your family and friends Mortin.

~Ian

[Keebler]

I just have no idea what to say, except that Keith was the reason I got into all this in the beginning. The site he created was also the first forum site that I visited, registered at, and got involved with. That involvement led to this, which is now a large part of my life and is a big reason that my life is richer for having so many new friends all over the globe. The people here have changed my life and have been members of my family. My kids call some of you "uncle".. All this is directly because of Mortin. Interconnectedness works in wonderful and beautiful ways, and all I can say as testimony to his tragically short life is that all these good things came out of it. So let these friendships and relationships serve as Keith's wonderful eulogy.

Thank you, Keith.
I can't say it better.

Thank you, Keith.

[Omega65]

RIP Mortin :(

[rapture]

I remember Mortin from the old Icrontic and felt quite an impact after reading the news this morning over on the Icrontic forums.

If I could feel that after speaking to the guy over the internet a few times I can only begin to imagine the pain felt by close friends and family.

Keith Whitsitt started Icrontic.com in his high school days and the PC Tech website soon became world-renowned because of Keith's antics with his "Ghetto Hardware" articles.

I couldnt help but chuckle at that one, the humor and actual results of those articles were always top notch!

[pigflipper]

Many of you might recognize me. I was around from the start of Apu's hardware through Icrontic up to the point where I went to BBF. After a while I came back to icrontic, never posted, but I browsed the forums from time to time to see what was up.

Well, I went to high school with Keith, graduated next to him (we were near to each other on the class roster) in 2002. I had my differences with him from time to time during high school, but after we all went our seperate ways, he became someone I could talk to when I was down. He was my friend.

We were planning on meeting up next week since I had to head back to my parents house for some stuff, I figured I would stop the for night in Gainesville. We had planned on getting massively trashed, just like that time we got drunk in high school during spring break. I remember him having to crawl up the stairs at my parents house because he was so damn drunk.

Nor can I forgot the times with Apu's/Icrontic. The ghetto hardware articles that I partook in, especially the one where we burned the gameboy, I was walking around with no shoes on next to the fire and he dumped a huge load of gas onto it. Good times. Or destroying my old Dell Pentium 90 in Webloki's backyard then finishing it off for another ghetto hardware article. Those are some of my best memories from high school and I wish I had gotten to hang out with him more than just once or twice a year since then.


R.I.P. Mortin, you are in a better place now.

[Bklahd (Guest)]

I've known Keith since 5th grade, we met by getting in a figth with eachother and from then on we were best friends. I sitll can't believe what has happened to him.

R.I.P. Mortin, "only the good die young"

[celcho]

i've actually still got that video of us tossing the case around and then shooting fireworks at it to the tune of kung fu fighting. maybe i could get someone here to post it. it's 11 megs, so it's above the max size for an attachment.

[Shorty]

Celcho ... PM me.. Il host it :)

[pigflipper]

I just talked to his on/off girlfriend and the memorial service is going to be held on Wednesday, they are hoping. They won't know until tomorrow. If any of you have pictures of you and keith together (I don't know how many of you have actually met him) please PM me. They are trying to get a scrapbook made.

[primesuspect]

I'd like to formally announce my intention to get a collection together to help the family of Keith at this time. I would like to raise as much money as possible to help his family with the funeral costs or whatever else they choose to use it for. As numerous people have stated, none of us would be here right now discussing this if it weren't for him. The least we can do for his family is to know that Keith had a much larger "family" than they might be aware of, and that we are all here for his parents, friends, and relatives at this time of need.

If you wish to donate via paypal, you can use accounts@short-media.com

If you wish to send a check or MO, you can make it out to:

ShortMedia LLC
c/o "The Mortin Fund"
1401 W Girard Avenue
Madison Heights, MI 48071-4451

[celcho]

http://www.dnpdynamic.com/shorty/icrontic512.wmv

shorty has very kindly hosted that video mortin and I made back in high school. it was the last big thing we really did for icrontic as far as i can recall.

i hope you guys enjoy it. it was fun making it, and i get a chuckle out of watching it still.

his parents were divorced, and he had no siblings. he lived with his mom his whole life, so she's not going to take this very well at all.

[Kwitko]

I'm shocked. My condolences to Keith's family and friends.

[primesuspect]

What a great video, Celcho. Thanks for that! ;D

[Keebler]

That was a great video. Thanks Celcho.

[celcho]

keith obviously had a lot of fun making that one.

[Flintstone]

I have brought 15 or 20 computers into this world that wouldn't exist without the communities Keith created and the people whom I now call my friends.

May your next journey be easier than your last, Keith. Thanks for letting us all in.

[Gargoyle]

That was a great video! Exactly how I'm going to remember him :thumbsup:

[Keebler]

The music just fit so well... not just the video it seemed, but the whole situation for some reason... it was weird...

[fuxor]

hi all,

most of you might not recognize me, I used to be a moderator on the old icrontic and then here for a while after the move. Icrontic was the first forum i ever bothered reading let alone get involved in, and mortin was the 'big boss' behind it all. Although I've moved onto other time-consuming things, icrontic and short-media will always have a parking space reserved in my heart, I still come back here when i need help. I can't describe the debt i feel towards mortin and the rest of the staff, you guys became and still are my first e-family.

Keith, I'll miss you man, I know you're in a better place, overclocking everyone's clouds :sad2:

ps: I'm subscribing to this thread. if there's anymore information on how all this happened please post it. thanks all, take care.

pss: thanks to keeb for linking me, i might not have found out for a long time if you didn't message me.

[Kwitko]

Celcho, that video was great. Really put a smile on my face to see Keith as we would all like to remember him.

[Xyphus]

Wow.. I had to do a double-take when I saw that name in the news on the front page. My condolences to Keith's family and friends, and to all those who knew him closely.

I remember him well from Icrontic, though not personally. It saddens me all the same.

:(

[fatcat]

I will never forget how Icrontic helped me with the KT7-Raid FAQ and the forums. RIP Keith, your services to all of us will never be forgotten.

[Bad_Karma]

:sad2:
To all that knew and loved Keith I am sorry for your loss.

Thanks for starting a great online community Mortin.

God Bless.

[Keebler]

I hope you feel good about this and pay dearly for leaving a good friend and a nice webmaster to die alone.
I'm sure there were many who felt malice toward Mortin at various times through the years. What happened to Icrontic was unfortunate and many were upset about it, but I think that was a terrible generalization to make.

What was lost from Icrontic was data. Bits of info and words stored in a database. No hacker could destroy what counts most in a community: the bonds of history and friendship that keep us together year after year. That is Mortin's gift to us, and we genuinely appreciate it.

In addition, I think you've done the man a horrible diservice and slandered him to suggest he would take his own life over a website. That's just sick and demeaning, especially the way you described it.

I've spent the last several hours sitting here at the computer trying to contact various people who've worked with him on the internet over the years to try and let them know about this tragic event. I can't claim a true friendship with him, but I'll be damned if this news didn't hit me like a kick to the stomach. For those of us who feel like these people posting with us are our second families, Mortin was a sort of patriarch who made it all possible and held the various branches of the community together by a common association.

I respectfully request in the strongest terms and as a staff member of this site that you not post in such a slanderous and demeaning way again.

[Ego-Crusher (Guest)]

Mortin made a Ultima Online life possible for ALOT of people, we have all so much to thank him for what he done for us and the good time he made for us possible, the whole community that lives today are chocked and sorry about what has happened. Mortin might be gone, but to us he will never be forgotten, there is not a week when he is not mentioned and spoken, he as a fair and good administrator and did hard work for us, rest in peace mortin and hope to see you again someday.

Ego-Crusher of Icronticshard

[kanezfan]

Don't bother replying to amdlover, it's just gt/meepins again.

i can't believe this, i wish he would have sought out help instead of this apparent suicide. i'm just in shock. don't know what else to say. god bles him and his family, i just can't imagine what they're going through right now.

[csimon]

I'm sorry to hear about Mortin.
My son loves the video ...I've never heard him laugh so hard ...I play it over and over and he really gets a kick out of it.
I first came to Icrontic when I was building dad's KA7 and I've been coming here to SM ever since the hack.
I remember xsilentdX, oppainter, spinner, equito and tex mostly ...there were quite a few more I know but those are the ones I can think of right off the bat. I also started folding back then.

[Keebler]

Mortin made a Ultima Online life possible for ALOT of people, we have all so much to thank him for what he done for us and the good time he made for us possible, the whole community that lives today are chocked and sorry about what has happened. Mortin might be gone, but to us he will never be forgotten, there is not a week when he is not mentioned and spoken, he as a fair and good administrator and did hard work for us, rest in peace mortin and hope to see you again someday.

Ego-Crusher of Icronticshard
Glad to hear from someone from the shard - another great community Keith fostered. Thank you for stopping by, Ego-Crusher!

[Bklahd (Guest)]

I remember when the site got hacked I was at Keiths house when he decided to stop the site. He didn't want to do it but he had to cause he didn't have the time to completely remake the whole site from scratch.

Live in peace Mortin

[primesuspect]

First of all the idea that Keith killed himself is mere speculation. I'm sure celcho will respond in this thread when he feels up to it, or has more information, but suffice to say that there is reason to suspect foul play.

So Jeff, we don't need your "ooh look how mean I can be" crap. You are just a pathetic, sad kid. I feel bad for you. I hope you find happiness in your life, because you could sure use some right about now.

[PEHowland]

I've just heard this sad news via the Short-Media press release. I never met Mortin, but worked with him on Apushardware and Icrontic, generating the original "Paul's Unofficial ABIT KA7 FAQ" and "Paul's Unofficial ABIT KT7 FAQ" for the site. Although we eventually fell out, and I moved on to VIAHardware/Sudhian, this is obviously a much bigger event than differences over a website. Sad news. RIP.

Paul (Howland)

[MediaMan]

Speculation about how Keith died or why he died is not appropriate here. Flaming will not be tolerated here. It is in very poor taste.

Icrontic was hacked. There were no backups. Days after when I said that I wanted to start a site Keith offered to host. I declined and within minutes Keith sent me a link on ICQ to the Icrontic domain on Ebay. There was no controversy. Keith just didn't have the time or determination to maintain Icrontic anymore.

That's exactly the way it happened.




I never met Keith "Mortin" Whitsitt in person but I knew him well in our digital world. I cannot say one bad word about him. He was my mentor at the time and he always had a good word for me.

Many around him took forum life too seriously. He never did. He never let it bother him. He always kept it in perspective. He could push back from the keyboard and laugh at himself. He created quite the community in those days of Apus and Icrontic and many had expectations of him far greater than anyone Keith's age should take responsibility for. But he did and for a long time the digital world of Apus and Icrontic thrived and grew.

I could read something in Keith. He had charisma. He had good friends. He had all the makings to be very successful. I watched him slide. I watched him stumble but he got back up again.

I'm nearly twice his age and I always said this to Keith. "Hey boss. When you run the world...I'll come work for you." For whatever reason, Keith won't have the chance to read those words again.

And many will miss him.

[godzilla525]

I'm speechless. :eek:

I've been around since the days of the KT7 FAQ.

I would also like to thank Mortin for creating the best hardware site and for all the time and effort put into it. I will miss you. :(

[Leonardo]

I've just heard this sad news via the Short-Media press release. I never met Mortin, but worked with him on Apushardware and Icrontic, generating the original "Paul's Unofficial ABIT KA7 FAQ" and "Paul's Unofficial ABIT KT7 FAQ" for the site. Although we eventually fell out, and I moved on to VIAHardware/Sudhian, this is obviously a much bigger event than differences over a website. Sad news. RIP.

Paul Howland

Thank you very much for dropping in and leaving your comments. You were a huge part of Icrontic's success; it's only fitting that you've added to our memorial thread.

[SimGuy]

Keith's outrageously funny "Ghetto Hardware" episodes are what compelled me to become a member of the Icrontic community on today's exact date (October 24th (http://web.archive.org/web/20021210155559/icronticforums.com/member.php?s=&action=getinfo&userid=9297)) in the year 2002.

What a way to mark a 2-year member anniversary. :( :(

By running Icrontic, Keith offered us all a community in which we could meet fellow tech enthusiasts, share ideas and create friendships. Icrontic was one of the first online hardware forums that I joined and quickly became one of my favourite sites to spend time at daily. It also became one of only 2 websites that I felt completely compelled to give back to the community by becoming a staff member and helping as many people as possible.

While the original Icrontic no longer exists in its' previous form, the close-knit community that was created there still largely exists today in the form of many of Short-Media's active members.

Thanks Keith for providing a community from which all of us have gained so much.

The legacy of Mortin & the original Icrontic shall live on, and each of us are a small part of it.

For whatever you do... this Spudz' for you.

~ Adam "SimGuy" Hughes

[Xander]

I never really knew him all that well but he was one of the first guys to welcome me to icrontic when I first joined.

My condolences and prayers go with his family. He is with God now and no longer has the problems of the world of today.

It's the unusual people you meet in life that define what it truely means to live.
He will be missed.

[EQuito]

OMG, this is so sad. I can't believe what I'm reading... :(

Apu's Hardware was the first forum I've ever registered to. At that time I was unemployed so all I did was just be there day after day. In fact, I was the winner of the first giveaway for most posts in a week or something like that.

Mortin and I communicated very often back then and we had our differences sometimes but overall I think of him as a friend and the one responsible for all of us being here remembering him.

Where ever you are Keith, God bless your soul and thanks for giving us good times, good friendships, great memories and that wonderful place called Icrontic.

My most sincere condolences to his family and friends.

[Gravite2090]

Like so many of you Apus/Icrontic was the first forum I ever registered to. Keith was also a strong supporter when I built my first computer, and helped me many times. I wish the best for his surviving family and friends. It really gets me bad when I see such a good young person go.
Much like the honoring of bart williams, I believe smx20 should honor Keith's name.


May your soul rest in eternal peace.

[Adrian Wong]

Hello, everyone!

I'm Adrian, from Adrian's Rojak Pot.

I never really knew Keith but I remember corresponding via e-mail with him in the past. But even if I never knew Keith beyond our e-mails, it is still a great tragedy when someone loses his life. :(

All of us at Team ARP would like to extend our condolences to Keith's family. It must have been a really difficult decision for his mother to take him off life support.

Let us all remember him for person he tried to be; and the contributions he made to the tech community.

[IC-Games]

Like many people here I ran into Icrontic looking for help, the KT7A to be percise was giving me trouble. After an initial post and kind help I was hooked and spent the next three years there.

Its Shocking news. I have spoken to Mortin before and he certainly was very keen and held a special fondness for his community that he created. I may have had my differences with him at times (as a lot of us did) but hold nothing against him, especially after learning he was bipolar. In the end Mortin was always more than the sum of his parts, he was the creator of everything we have here, the reason everyone at Icrontic and SM are friends still. His loss is our loss.
Many thanks to Shorty and GK for giving me the opportunity to comment.

[BLuKnight]

It's really hard to take this in. I too first started out by accidentally running into icrontic.com. (First time I ever joined a tech forum.) Keith will be missed. He made me laugh and had one heck of a site. My thoughts and prayers to his family and friends.

[Red Plague]

If my memory serves me right, I stumbled upon the Icrontic website right about the time of the "X-box dissection". (I think it was an x-box...). I could not believe someone was actually dismantling one of these things (at the time they where like gold-dust where I live). I thought the guy was completely crazy, I then read the Getto articles and my suspicions where confirmed. Top class stuff. I asked alot of "odd" questions relating to specific hardware, but always got a response and help when I needed it. Testimony to the community he had created.

I never met the guy, I only knew him by reputation on Icrontic. I was truly sorry to see Ircontic go after the hack. After reading this thread, I took a trip down memory lane...

http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.icrontic.com

Alot of the links don't work but you can see the effort the guy put in.

To the family and friends, my condolences.

RIP.

[GHoosdum]

Sometimes Keith and I agreed, and sometimes we disagreed. Despite any disagreements, I've got nothing but respect for him, as he's the one that made all this possible. I'm very sorry to hear this, and I'll be sending a little something along to the fund that Brian started.

[hobiedude16 (Guest)]

wow, i never knew keith did so much. this girl i know was dating keith (i never met him) for like a year and a half, and a couple days ago, i found out what happened. i live here in gainesville, so i kinda know what happened, considering i know some of keith's closest friends and what not. if i get a chance, ill go get a picture of the wall on 34th street where keiths gf, and 2 best friends have painted a memorial thing. it is a sad thing to hear, even if i never met him :(

[Keebler]

if i get a chance, ill go get a picture of the wall on 34th street where keiths gf, and 2 best friends have painted a memorial thing.
We'd appreciate that very much! Thank you for stopping in.

[shadco]

My condolences to his friends and family.

[hobiedude16 (Guest)]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v144/hobiedude16/IMG_2068.jpg
hopefully that works.

[QCH2002]

As with many others here that came from the original Icrontic/ APUS Hardware community... I had never evolved myself with an online forum until I came across the APUS hardware site. I learned tons of things in the early days. I joined Icrontic in 2002 and I really enjoyed the being a member. I never had any business dealings with Mortin, just read his articles and posts. From that I considered him a good guy. Seems like many of the draw backs had to do with management of the site not the quality of the person.

I whole heartedly agree with the sentiment that without Mortin, we would not be here. Plain and simple...

Was George Washington a GREAT guy, He owned slaves, did some tobacco farming, rebelled against the government... those traits wouldn't necessarily make him a great guy, but he helped forge the United States of America. For that he is worshiped and honored with a holiday. Mortin... You are the forefather of Short-Media & Icrontic. Without you, many friendships would not be... for that I honor you and your legacy.

<center><font size=4 color=red>Rest in Peace, Keith Allen "Mortin" Whitsitt, rest in peace.</font></center>

[gtghm]

My prayers go out to his family and friends, terrible tragady indeed.
I didn't know him much, but I remember stumbleing into Icrontic a year or so before it got hacked trying to get help for my Abit KR7 board. During my search for help Icrontic was the place where I found that a person could get help in a personable way. He was instramental in creating a place where all could come and get help and also make new friends.

Thanks Mort for your time and effort in makeing your vision a reality of bringing those in need of help to a place where answers to problems could be found. Many of us dream of things like this but never take action, you did, and its obvious by all of the responce here your vision touched so many in so many different ways, RIP dude.

"g"

[LSDsmurf]

Hi,

I'm Thomas from DV Hardware.

I didn't knew him personally, except maybe from a few news e-mails.

My condolences to Keith's family and friends.

[csimon]

Idunno how to get in touch with Oppainter or Dtung or Mr_Icee...maybe some of you might have an idea.

[kanezfan]

i just can't believe this is really happening. i can't get over this.

[kanezfan]

lol do you guys remember when he had that avatar, the one with the asian couple caught having sex in their car, the guy had this look of total shock and surprise on his face. he was a funny guy, great sense of humor. i just can't believe he's gone like this, it's a tragedy, i can't believe this.

[csimon]

I remember ...I actually thought it was a pic of him for a while. duh!
I was just thinking about how everyone made fun of xsilentdx and his avatard ...poor fellah.

remember preppy hot stunchez?

[kanezfan]

i know my site never amounted to anything, but mortin was the guy that inspired me to try it. i thought if a 17 yr. old kid can do this, i can to. i was wrong, it's much harder than it looks. i'm just in shock over this news, this is terrible. we should have some sort of online memorial of sorts, and i definitely think you guys should name a rig or an award after him. i know i keep saying it, but this really sucks.

[DanG]

My coldolonces go out to his friends and family. :(

[Keebler]

Idunno how to get in touch with Oppainter or Dtung or Mr_Icee...maybe some of you might have an idea.
I'm working on that, and getting in touch with several other former members. Consider it handled.

[Lars]

Hi everyone.

My name is Pastor Tim Larson. Keith Whitsitt's mother belongs to my church in Southfield, Michigan and has asked me to lead a modest memorial service for him in Grand Rapids, Michigan on Saturday. I didn't know Keith at all, but his mother is much loved and respected in our congregation and I would like to do his memory justice for his family’s sake.

Are there any stories about Keith you can think of that I might share at the memorial service that capture his true spirit? I would appreciate any input you all would like to offer. I've registered with the forum -- so I believe you can email me privately if you wish.

It is obvious Keith was an unusually gifted and influential person. I’m amazed by the outpouring of sympathy by you all. I will make sure that his mother is aware of your comments.

God bless.

[Lars]

PS -- I probably won't mention his avatar though... ;)

[Spinner]

I remember ...I actually thought it was a pic of him for a while. duh!I thought exactly the same thing lol!

I'm deeply shocked by this news, I probably only spoke to Keith once back in the old Icrontic days and I honestly never knew what quite to make of him. He had his flaws just like we all do, but I respected him, I remember that much. I am extremely saddened when anyone dies especially one of our own. At the very least all of us posting here together now is a testament to what he has given us all.

Thanks Mort'. Rest in peace.

[Leonardo]

i thought if a 17 yr. old kid can do this, i can to Try 14 year-old, that is, when he successfully launched Apushardware.

[csimon]

I'm working on that, and getting in touch with several other former members. Consider it handled.
Thanks Keebs ...you might want to try xsilentdx too ...I saw a post in another forum from him but it was way back in 2003. That one may be difficult though.

again thanks.

[Cygnus_x_1]

I'm working on that, and getting in touch with several other former members. Consider it handled.

They still hang on xtemesystems.org. catch them over there...

anyway, tho i have never actually spoken w/ mortin, we had some email exchanges when i was working w/ Ocaddiction, and i was a religous visitor to icrontic back in the day...he was def a unique individual, and will be greatly missed in our community. my condolences go out to his family, and all that knew and cared for him.

RIP...

[MediaMan]

xtremesystems.org knows. I emailed them this morning.

[GnomeWizardd]

Yea I am still kinda in shock. Icrontic was the reason I got addicted to the net! Unfortunately Just like over at Icrontic You guys have had to ban people with very poor taste in this thread, I am sure that this community as well as Icrontic will pull together and help with all be it a small but heart filled Finacial support for Mortins Fam. If there is onething Mortin did was bring a bunch of guys with Class together. And for that I am thankfull. The New Icrontic and Short-Media are both really creations of Mortins influence. May God be with him and anyone who is greaving Including all of us who knew him in Digi land

[Keebler]

I just finally got my account at xtremesystems activated and contacted MrIcee, DDTung, and Oppainter via private message.

I found an xsilentdx in only 2 or 3 locations on the internet, all from 2001. One location had an active e-mail contact option available, so I used it in the chance it is the same member.

Raffi is assisting me in contacting some members who got accounts on IC right after the crash but have been inactive since, including mrFU, dna3d, and Darksword. Hopefully I will be e-mailing them tonight.

If there are others who you can think of but don't have time to track down, you can post their handles here or PM them to me and I will try and track them down.

[csimon]

here xsilentdx posted in may 2003 http://www.phpbuilder.com/board/showthread.php?threadid=10240787 ...I'm sure you can get an email thru if you register but Idunno it the account is still active. Knowing him it prolly is.

[Aranyic]

I really am not sure what to say, this comes as such a shock. I had my disagreements with him over the years (I guess it was 5 years maybe that I got involved in Icrontic because of him) but I always had a respect for him. All I am really able to think about now is the countless times I would see him logged into ICQ and wonder how he was doing but never sent him a message.

My condolences to his family and friends.

[FUGGER]

I just wanted to say we are saddened by the untimely loss of Mortin. Many of us at xtremesystems.org are former Icrontic members who broke off and started a new site.

I started a thread on XS for Mortin and I hope some members come through to help Mortins family in this time of need.

http://xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=44369

I will be making a dontation in the name of XS.

From all of us at XS, god bless and our hearts go out to the family.

[TBonZ]

It's been really nice to see some old faces stopping by. For me personally, it helps greatly.

[GnomeWizardd]

WEll over at IC we are brining back Spudz for a comeback tour! He was Mortins creation and IC's mascott On the front page change the theme to OLDSHOOL we are alos going to redo the whole site Hopefully we might get it back to the way Keith had it before the crash they ways it should be in memory of him

[floppybootstomp]

It's been really nice to see some old faces stopping by. For me personally, it helps greatly.

Yes. Looking at all those old links brought back some memories. Lots of names there I remember, some I'm still in touch with, others not.

This has got me to thinking, really, here in cyberland, despite all our differences of opinion and sometimes squabbles, it occured to me that any member of an online community will be missed if they pass away, so I thought maybe I should reapraise my attitude towards some people.

We're all characters, after all, for good or for bad.

Keith is the third death I've suffered from Forums, Bart Williams and a guy named Tuffie being the other two. Real life.

Icrontic helped me build my first RAID system, with an Abit KT7-R. I've never forgotten that. I got my help, but decided to stick around around because I liked the characters. I never even knew what a Forum was before Icrontic. I joined just after it changed from Apu's.

Some of us fell out with Icrontic, and started BBF. I'm still there at BBF, but Icrontic has gone and I really quite like Short Media, that outlook has been considerably influenced by Shorty.

Ah, but I'm getting off subject here.

I did 'speak' to Keith a few times on chat, the most memorable time was when his house was raided by the Feds (was it the Feds? excuse me, I UK, not sure, but some kind of law enforcement, anyway) after he hacked his ISP, they took all his computers away.

There were 3 of us talking, me, Keith and The Heretic. Keith was pretty bummed about things and couldn't see how he'd pissed off the authorities. At that time, I liked him a lot, the kid had balls and an anarchistic streak which I admired.

Sad to say, we kinda fell out and at the time I left Icrontic, I really didn't hold him in too high an esteem. But I remember him, oh yes, I remember him well.

He did have charisma and for one so young, a rare talent.

PLease, please, don't judge my comments as hypocritical, they're from the heart. After all, I kinda followed the flow, the migration, when I left, sometimes, we're all big kids, truth be told.

Anyway, I've waffled on too long, let me just say that I'm really quite depressed about this thing, all that can be said has been said here in this thread, I think, about condolences to his family, that's a given from me.

And that video was good, I'd never seen that before.

[Keebler]

Thanks very much for all that, Fugger. Pure class.


//edit: Very true, floppy. We all may end up in different places but there's still something holding us together in the end.

[primesuspect]

Floppybootstomp, these things are what inspire threads like these (http://www.short-media.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21432). While some people think that the internet is just a faceless thing and these names are just words on the screen, the more time you spend and the more people you meet, the more you realize that we are a family, truly. These are real people.

[Spinner]

Floppybootstomp, these things are what inspire threads like these (http://www.short-media.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21432). While some people think that the internet is just a faceless thing and these names are just words on the screen, the more time you spend and the more people you meet, the more you realize that we are a family, truly. These are real people.To family! ... To Keith!! :cheers:

[OPPAINTER (Guest)]

My Condolences to Keiths family and friends. I’m very sorry to hear this news.

OPP

[Duboids]

First off very sorry to hear that Keith will not be around much longer, he will truly be missed and was a great guy the little I knew of him. :( :( :(


I started folding for Team 93 back in 2002 and moved for another team and now my current team 32322. I did reviews for a couple different web sites and currently work for FLHW and we as part of the tech community would like to say we are truly saddened from the loss of Keith from our little part of the world....... :( :bawling: R.I.P. Bro

[csimon]

My Condolences to Keiths family and friends. I’m very sorry to hear this news.

OPP
Thanks for stopping by OPP ...hope you feel welcome to visit from time to time! :thumbsup:

[TBonZ]

Hi everyone.

My name is Pastor Tim Larson. Keith Whitsitt's mother belongs to my church in Southfield, Michigan and has asked me to lead a modest memorial service for him in Grand Rapids, Michigan on Saturday. I didn't know Keith at all, but his mother is much loved and respected in our congregation and I would like to do his memory justice for his family’s sake.

Are there any stories about Keith you can think of that I might share at the memorial service that capture his true spirit? I would appreciate any input you all would like to offer. I've registered with the forum -- so I believe you can email me privately if you wish.

It is obvious Keith was an unusually gifted and influential person. I’m amazed by the outpouring of sympathy by you all. I will make sure that his mother is aware of your comments.

God bless.


Hi Lars and welcome to Short-Media, I regret though under these circumstances. Do please relate our condolences to Keith's Mother as well as the rest of the Family if possible. All our thoughts & prayers are definitely with them at this time.

As for stories, I really don't have any. All I can really relate is my experiences in dealing with Keith, through my context at being with Icrontic. Out of respect because you probably will be unaware of some things I speak of, I added the explanations in brackets.

I always respected him right from day 1 and that respect never faltered. He was always supportive of me personally when we pulled the "Icrontic Folding Team" together (A Humanitarian initiative to decipher disease through the donated use of personal computers by everyday people, running a small software program, distributed and maintained at Stanford University by Dr.Vijay Pande officially named Folding@Home) and took it to the next level. Keith gave us the community and resources to pull together and participate in a truly ambitious project. He was always very generous in donating his time & energy in anything the "Team effort" needed to do. He donated multiple times, cash and computer hardware components to the ICx and even what is now the SMx project (An undertaking by folding team members of then, Icrontic and what is now Short-Media, donating money and components to build whole computers which are then awarded to a member of the team, intended solely to participate in Folding@Home). Strip down the layers; it was him and his ambition that brought all the people that are here today together, WOW.

Bottom line is this; Keith was a very ambitious guy, very talented with so much potential. His generosity was great. We can only give so much but still a teenager, he gave so much and I will never forget him.

A quote I pulled up from Keith this year, "i'll be folding team 93 forever !". He fullfilled that goal.

[MJO]

I am sad to hear this.

The KT7 FAQ was frequently used, when I had my KT7/KT7A-Raid, and that made me aware of APU/Icrontic.
I officially joined Icrontic shortly before it was hacked, I had been lurking for quite a while though.
BTW:I loved all the Ghetto mods as well, great stuff. ;)

My condolences to his family and friends.

[Brilt]

You know when I read the e-mail from keebs I thought hmm maybe were having a reunion of the old apus/icrontic forums but then I finished the letter and found what I was reading was something very tragic and very sad.

I never met morton in person; actually I don't know anyone from here in person. But I do know good people when I meet them. Keith was one of them. And the world seems is a little bit colder a little bit darker when we lose someone who brought it so much.

I consider most people on this forum more my friends then most people I’ve actually met in real life. Keith "Morton" Whitsitt brought us all together. I thank him for that in more ways then he can imagine. His site and his work let me into a community, one in which people were there for each other, opening their heart, minds and homes to help out their fellow man. I used to think the world was a very difficult place where everyone was out to get each other and that there was no room for a nice guy. Keith and everyone in this place has proved me wrong and I am eternally grateful for that

Rest in peace Morton and godspeed
You and your family are in my prayers

[celcho]

i guess i haven't mentioned this yet, but Keith was disconnected from life support last night and his seven organs were harvested to save the lives of others.

Keith Allen Whitsitt, "mortin"
10/26/1984 - 10/24/2004

just a random tidbit, mortin came from a misspelling of morton salt. before that, back when he was like 12 or younger, though, he went by neatfeet.

[primesuspect]

Thanks for the update, Celcho.

[entropy]

Like I said to Geeky on IM, I didn't know him at all. But ... to hear he's doing bad and will probably be disconnected is one thing... actually having it happen is another :(

[mr.FU]

I was a member of Icrontic ever since Apus Hardware. Keith/Mortin was the one idividual that really sparked my love for hardware. I had always looked up to him as a role model. as the years progressed, Mortin and I grew distant as we had a few disagreements, but i always respected him. I left the community when shortmedia was formed. Its a shame that i was brought back to you all in such bad circumstances. My condolences to his mother and father.

[csimon]

i guess i haven't mentioned this yet, but Keith was disconnected from life support last night and his seven organs were harvested to save the lives of others.

Keith Allen Whitsitt, "mortin"
10/26/1984 - 10/24/2004

just a random tidbit, mortin came from a misspelling of morton salt. before that, back when he was like 12 or younger, though, he went by neatfeet.

I'd like to offer my condolences to Keith's family at this time.
It will be his 20th birthday in a few moments and I cannot imagine how they must feel at this time.

[Spinner]

I'd like to offer my condolences to Keith's family at this time.
It will be his 20th birthday in a few moments and I cannot imagine how they must feel at this time.20 is just too young, too young. My thoughts are with his family and friends.

[nsanity (Guest)]

Heh, I remember Mort as the guy with all the crazy ideas... that could've worked. The good old days working on Icrontic... right before it went 2.0

My condolences as well, to his family and friends.

BTW -- nice to see some oldskool Icrontic guys around ;)

[mmonnin]

I remember that video. That was awesome. I remember him posting that years ago.

Its great seeing all the familiar faces again, many I havent seen in years.

I cant believe he wasnt even 20, I thought he was older than I was. Heck he was in college before I was.

[Clutch]

I’m almost speechless at this moment. The reality has settled that Mortin has gone to a better place. Mortin brought to us a lot of good times, a place to hang out and share many laughs and further our friendship between members. I thought Keith was older than he was myself, it is such a tragedy to loose someone while they are so young. My heart goes out to Keith’s family and friends.

R.I.P Keith

[RADA]

RIP Keith.

I didn't know him, but I understand his pain. My uncle was bipolar and took his life in 2000. He was a wonderful man who was misunderstood by most around him. I have a feeling Keith was a wonderful, talented young man, who was often misunderstood by those who didn't get a chance to know him.

Too all S-M / Icrontic / Other Teams who knew Keith & his Family, and called him a friend, you have my condolences.


Sincerely,

RADA

[dak125]

This is without a doubt the most disheartening thing I've heard in a very long time.

I've been hearing about this "Icrontic" thing for so long and never really knowing what it was. After reading all these posts I think I finally understand what it meant to so many people. I'm about the same age as he was and can't even fathom the amount he accomplished in his few years. My condolensces go out to his mother and father, I'm really just amazed that something like this could happen.

From someone that in a round about way truly got interested in hardware from one of the originators I thank you. Rest in peace.

[Leonardo]

Dak, yes, Keith "Mortin" really was the inspiration that formed the original community that eventually evolved into Short-Media. Yup, Icrontic, albeit under different leadership after the "great crash", is alive and prosperous as well. Keep in mind, the whole spark that began all this was the leadership of a 14 year old. I'm impressed, and always will be. When I first accepted a moderator position working for Mortin at Icrontic, I was old enough to be his father. It didn't squash my ego at all; heck, I was proud to work for him and serve his Internet community. Many of you may read some of the threads and think to yourself, "Ah, they are just romanticizing things to spare the deceased from dishonor". You would be incorrect. Mortin did have his problems, sometimes bordering on disaster for his site. But due ot Mortin's perserverance and willingness to learn from mistakes, two great tech communities are thriving today.

[Leonardo]

MORTIN GETS RESPECT IN The INQUIRER (http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=19261) !!

He had suffered massive brain damage following a gunshot wound, the site said. Keith started website Icrontic.com and wrote many articles about the Xbox.
Short Media said it has dedicated a place on its forums here . It has also started a fund to present to his family for a possible scholarship or donation to his family. µ

I think Keith would have been pleased to see that he continues to support his tech community. Respect, Sir!

[Keebler]

Respect indeed. I'm glad they did that.

[Charmed1]

Celcho, I am so sorry for your loss. Please share my condolences with Keith's family. Being bipolar is never something easy to deal with, and too few people understand people who have this condition. If there is anything I can do, please let me know.

[Lars]

This is the obituary I found today in the Gainseville Sun:

Keith Allen Whitsitt

Keith Allen Whitsitt of Gainesville died Saturday in Gainesville. He was 19.

Mr. Whitsitt was born in Austin, Texas, and moved to Gainesville from Tallahassee in 2002. He was a student at the University of Florida. He attended Maclay High School in Tallahassee and Sylvan Christian Junior High School in Grand Rapids, Mich.

He was an expert in working with computer hardware and software. He was an avid runner and enjoyed weightlifting and body building.

Survivors include his mother, Shirley J. Whitsitt of Southfield, Mich.; his father, David B. Whitsitt of Walnut Springs, Texas; maternal grandparents Joanne and Doyle Disbrow; and paternal grandparents Patricia and Robert Bond of Tonganoxie, Kan., and Michael and Alva Whitsitt of Brownsville, Texas.

Arrangements by Zaagman Funeral Home in Grand Rapids.

[primesuspect]

Pastor, could you PM me the date and time of the service in Grand Rapids? I think I'm going to be attending...

[pigflipper]

Ok, this is for all the people in Florida that can attend. There will be a memorial service @ 6pm on Wednesday in Gainesville, Florida. If you would like to attend please send me a PM and I will get you the details. Also, if anybody has ANY Ghetto Hardware pics (I know these are hard to come by now) could you please PM me and I will give you my email addy.

Thanks.

[Dexter]

This is the obituary I found today in the Gainseville Sun:


Link to that obituary if anyone wants to archive the page:

http://www.gainesville.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041026/OBITS/41026003


Dexter...

[a friend (Guest)]

Pigflipper, I don't know how to send a PM. Where is the memorial service on Wednesday?

[pigflipper]

They will be having a funeral here in Gainesville, on Wednesday October 27th, at
6pm. It will be held on UF's campus at the chapel at Lake Alice. Christina
Criser said that people could meet at the ADPi house at 5:30 on Wednesday, since
most of you probably do not know how to get there. Please do not hesitate to
give me or her a call. His mother has encouraged any of you who would like to
speak at the funeral to do so, and also asked if anyone would like to play the
piano.

there ya go.

also, for the old timers around here, you might get a kick out of this page

http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.icrontic.com

[Charmed1]

Does anyone know where I might be able to send a sympathy card? I'm up in NY and would still like to send Keith's family my condolences.

[Alakazam]

I'd like to convey my condolences to the family and friends of Keith, it's a sad day for many cyber friends. Many of you might remember me from way back in Apu's/Icrontic heydays, that KT7 FAQ was quite a piece of work and help on those forums were great. That mobo is still running OC'd to this day! Those were some great times and I think back often to that humble beginning for a lot of the forums around now. Life is way too short sometimes and he will be missed.

R.I.P. "Mortin"

[MediaMan]

Does anyone know where I might be able to send a sympathy card? I'm up in NY and would still like to send Keith's family my condolences.


I'm sure that someone may PM you the address but if the Whitsitt family does not wish for their home address to be given publicly then Pastor Tim may be able to give you a mailing address to his church office for letters and cards to be conveyed to the Whitsitt family.

[Lars]

I don't know yet what Keith's mom's wishes are yet about sharing her address. She has been hard to reach (understandably) -- but anyone may c/o sympathy cards and letters to my church and I will be happy to pass them along.

The address is:

c/o Peace Lutheran Church, 17029 W. 13 Mile Road, Southfield, MI 48076

Pastor Tim

[madmat]

I know that in Keith's passing we are losing what was one of the most talented voices in the hardware arena and judging from the outpouring of condolences and remembrances a very talented and gifted all 'round guy personal troubles notwithstanding.
What we need to remember though is that though his body might be gone and we might not be able to "hear" his voice his voice is with us nonetheless in the love of this infernal machine he's inspired in so many of us.
Even though I was never a member of the old Icrontic I've been touched by Mortin through a lot of you that knew him and were inspired by him and the site he created and as long as the spirit of good fellowship that exists today here at Short-Media and the new Icrontic continues to exist Mortin will be with us and never far from these pages.
His passing was a tragedy but his life was an example of what a determined person can do when they apply their god given talents and while I know that we mourn the passing of his body his spirit will live on in what he's fostered in us, his extended family.
In short let's not just mourn his passing, let's celebrate his life and the gift he has given us...each other and take comfort in knowing that he's still here in spirit.

[Preacher]

First off,
Thanks for thinking about me, Keebs. I appreciate the email, especially considering I haven't been around much lately.

Secondly and most importantly,
Mortin and the loved ones he has left behind are in my thoughts and prayers. This tragedy is truly heartbraking and sad. I never knew Keith as any thing other than Mortin from his funny videos, witty articles, and insanely good content on one of the best tech websites I've ever been to. Like many others here, I was immediately drawn to the communities at Icrontic and here at Short-Media. Just from the small part of his life that I saw online, Keith was amazingly creative and clever.

Any death is tragic and lamentable, but the loss of one so young and so gifted is even more so. As a father of two children, my heart goes out to Keith's parents, relatives, and friends. Losing a child is like losing one's soul. A parent should never outlive their child. I was immediately struck by the obituary page that Lars and Dexter posted. Would stood out in my mind was not only how young Keith was, or that he should have been celebrating his 20th birthday, but that his obituary read in reverse. Unlike everyone else who was 63 or older, Keith's survivors weren't a spouse, kids, and grandkids, but they were his mother, father, and all four grandparents. His life really hadn't even started.

Rest in Peace, Mortin...
God Bless you, Keith....

Jeff
aka Preacher

[Keebler]

Also, if anybody has ANY Ghetto Hardware pics (I know these are hard to come by now) could you please PM me and I will give you my email addy.
I have every Ghetto Hardware picture.

//edit: All right, here we go. I have pics from these articles:

Ghetto Orb
Gamecube
Xbox
Ghetto Olympic
Ghetto Burn
Ghetto Case
Ghetto Duct
Ghetto gf2mcOC
Ghetto mouse
Ghetto supercool
Ghetto truck
Ghetto workout
"spraypaint"
and "preppystuntaz"

If some of those seem cryptic, it's because I only have directory names to go by. Unfortunately, I was never around to read the actual articles.

[Keebler]

Here are a couple logos I found.

I've made a new thread for Ghetto Hardware pics so I don't destroy anyone's modem connection: http://www.short-media.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22493

[profdlp]

I saw a reference to this in another thread and thought it referred to the "death" of the old Icrontic. Then I saw another mention and figured I should check things out, leading me here.

I never knew Mortin personally, but Icrontic was the first Tech site I ever joined. I didn't post much at first. It seems odd, but I was almost afraid to speak up. Icrontic was such a tight community (with the occasional feud you'll find in any family) that I felt like an interloper in some ways. I had recently changed careers and had begun my first job as a computer tech. If you knew how many times I was able to quickly find the answer I needed just by searching the wealth of material at Icrontic you wouldn't believe it. When I stumbled across the Folding business it added a new dimension to my Icrontic involvement.

Lars, the only thing I could add is that Keith was truly a very special person. He touched so many lives - hundreds who knew him personally, and untold thousands like myself who never met him yet owe him so much.

[Lokky H]

I'm sure it saddens eveyone that a great person has left us all..

My brother is bipolar and I've seen him at his highs and lows. He is a brillant bloke and is very talentented with visual design and computers.

This is an insidious problem, but those affected including my brother are very likable, loveable people.

I cannot pretend to understand the emotions that his family are feeling right now.

I just hope that those brilliant minds among us affected by bipolar will succeed.

I wish everyone with this problem the best, as they have some of the most brilliant minds that I've seen, and I hope that my brother does not meet a similar fate.

In the depths of sadness of today, we must try to pick ourselves up and try to persevere in the hopes that tomorrow will bring fulfillment.

Lokky H

[keto]

I am out of town and am just now reading this thread.

To all of my friends and acquaintences here at SM, please accept my condolences on the loss of your friend. I never had the pleasure, unfortunately, of his association.

To his family, my deepest sympathy and my admiration for allowing his body to be used to save the lives of others.

R.I.P. :(

[DeeMan]

Icrontic rocked, it was one of the first sites i visited when i managed to get my KT7-RAID up and happening.

Always entertaining.

Tis very sad, my condolences.

[Komete]

My deepest condolences to Mortin/Keiths family. I personnaly only spoke with him a few times but was and still am thankfull for what he did for the pc enthuist community.

This really cought me off gaurd. Like many of you I built my first system with the help of icrontic. It was a Kt7a-raid system. I often felt like icrontic was the perfect site. It had just the right combo of PC facts and futuristic ambitions to keep you hooked. I remember comming home every day to check the icrontic news and see what I could sit and pounder about for the rest of the evening. I still type in www.icrontic.com hopeing the news would be like it once was.

Icrontic "a perfect shard of glass" ...

Thank you Keith RIP

[primesuspect]

Komete, I know exactly what you mean - icrontic was my homepage forever - right up until this site was born. I checked the front page religiously, and most often wasn't disappointed - it was like the ultimate clearinghouse for updates, drivers, and tech news. I totally loved that site..

[DexterHolland911]

Wow... I don't even know what to say. Good to see some old faces around here, how has everyone been doing?

RIP Keith.

[TBonZ]

Good Dex and you too, long time man.

[GAbOS]

Some will see my forum name a haze two miles down a strech of concrete named F@H93.

I have contacted all of my links from the past, and caught a few off guard; as I was.

Completely not off topic... Folding@Home should be run every where an internet connection is available! Thank you Mortin for providing the means for my current strength in this cause. What stemed from being the second post in the very first thread that created team icrontics(rip mortin/apu), I have since continued the realism of life. After I left, I started my own unsanctioned team (titled by team number only), and have constantly been the underdog, reaching as high as mid 30's with 52 active members... only just over a year ago!

This (hopfully massive) plug for Folding@Home was mearly a plot to explode my emotions that 'Mortin' used as fuel for the people that knew him, or should have. He had an energy that reached to everyone, and mostly the ones that combated him!

Remember him,
GAb

[celcho]

I just got back from the memorial in gainesville. A lot of people from high school came down, and it was nice to see them. Too bad the circumstances couldn't have been better. I saw Keith's mom there. She seemed to be handling it much better than I had expected.

Thanks for posting all your memories and condolences. I know Peyton, his girlfriend, and his mother really appreciate it.

[pigflipper]

hey everybody. Thanks for your support you have shown for a wonderful individual. Things are still tough here (@ his girlfriend's house still) but we are making it through. I am returning home today to Winter Park after a very emotional couple of days.

The tears have yet to stop falling, but we will be fine...hopefully. If anything this has inspired me to get back on my meds, no matter how they make me feel.

Keith understood this quote far better than I had expected him to when I first threw it out to him a few years ago:

"I miss the comfort in being sad" - Kurt Cobain

[Charmed1]

Pigflipper, I don't know you well at all. But I'm very proud of you for going back on your meds. I have a friend who struggles with staying on meds all the time, and know it's not easy. Good luck.

[QCH2002]

My mother was a therapist and she specialized with young adults. She always said that we all get depressed and most of us will go through some period of life that could label us clinically depressed. Being Bipolar (manic depressant) does not make you a psycho or anything less than anyone else, no more than having brown hair does.

The medication, if properly administered, is there to stabilize the moods. If they make you physically feel bad, check with your physician. There are many different meds out there, switching may be the answer. Zoloft seems to be the leading version for limiting the side effects... Also... just because you are on the medication now does NOT mean you will need to take it forever. Hormones, stress, diet, age... they all have a part in depression. It's not a curse.

Your doctor may not have said anything about it, but therapy along with the meds is really the best way to work out traumas. Talking does wonders...

[MediaMan]

In the sadness of Keith's death there is life.

Look around this thread and you see it everywhere. the large community Keith inspired is a place of warmth, hope and friendship. No one is truly alone. Keith brought us together and, in turn, we bring others together and that is his legacy.

This is a community and we all help each other. We help fix, mod, tweak and destroy our own and each others PCs. We celebrate our successes and we band together in our sadness.

If you look out at this world and sometimes all that you may see is bad; in the news or down the street... all you have to do is look around this thread and all you will see is what is good. So here we are...at a place in the digital void...where at a time when we are sad at the loss of one friend...we can find reason to smile about the many other friends we continue to gain.



I'm sure Keith's mother, Shirley, will come to read through this thread in time and I hope she takes from it that Keith's life had meaning and that she's not alone.

[profdlp]

I'm sure Keith's mother, Shirley, will come to read through this thread in time and I hope she takes from it that Keith's life had meaning and that she's not alone.
Amen.

[Darksword]

My condolences to Kieth's family and friends.

I knew Keith way back when Icrontic was still Apu's Hardware. To me he was always a friend and even let me work as a Moderator and hardware reviewer for Icrontic for about 2 years. I probably learned most of what I know about computers today because of him and guys like MediaMan, Clecho, Leonardo, EQuito, ImaginAsian, and many others who got their start at Icrontic. I looked up to him a lot.

I'm shocked to hear that he has left us. Even though I never met him in person, or even once spoke to him over the phone, he is still someone that I will never forget.

R.I.P Keith

[Lars]

One of the burdens that Keith's mother bears is that the circurcumstances surrounding Keith's death are still unclear and remain under investigation. Please pray that God will help bring to light the truth about this tragic event -- whatever it may be -- so that at least on this issue she can be given some closure. Your prayers can make a difference.

Pastor Tim

[Lars]

In Memory of
Keith Allen “Mortin” Whitsitt
October 26, 1984 - October 23, 2004

A Loving Son, Grandson, Boy Friend & Friend.
Sylvan Christian Junior High (Grand Rapids), Maclay High School Graduate (Tallahassee), & University of Florida Student (Gainesville).
A Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer & Charter Microsoft Systems Administrator.
Founder of World-Wide Internet Communities & An Expert in Computer Hardware.
Creator of Teaching Media Designed To Educate Medical Students.
Team Member of the “Folding@Home” Biological Research Program.
Ambitious, Hard Working & Professional.
A Gifted Leader With Knowledge Well Beyond His Years.
An Avid Runner & Weightlifter.
Kind, Fun Loving, Mischievous, Friendly, Helpful, & Generous.
A Child of God In Jesus Christ.


Sometimes I believe it helps to put a name to events in life that blow us away. It helps us get some perspective and helps us come to grips things.
The loss of Keith Allen Whitsitt to this world can only be seen as “unjust.” It is unjust that his mother and father should lose their only son so senselessly. It is unjust that a kind, witty, good- natured, and loving person like Keith should have lost his life. It is unjust that someone with such tremendous talent and potential could die so young and tragically. It is unjust that the wealth of knowledge and wisdom that Keith possessed and offered to the world has gone with him. It’s just plain wrong.
As a pastor and spiritual brother, I am here today to remind all of us – including me – that the Lord God truly understands what it is like to receive injustice. Jesus never said or did anything to deserve a death sentence. But the forces of hatred and darkness and death drove many of the people of his day to condemn him to the cross – a Roman torture instrument designed to publicly humiliate it’s victims.
Christians of faith believe that Jesus was more than just a human being who tragically and unjustly died on the cross two thousand years ago. Jesus was “Emmanuel” – God with us – the presence of God tangibly in our world. This means that the God who created us truly understands what it is like to be a human. Through experience, God knows what it is like to suffer and God knows what it is like to die for seemingly no purpose.
And yet, the Christian message is ultimately about hope – about how Jesus took all of the pain and injustice and hatred and violence toward him and redeemed it by defeating it – by rising again. No matter how final death seems, death cannot defeat the Lord of life.
None of us can change what happened to Keith – though we all wish we could. Yet we can find comfort today. There is comfort in the fact that – even in his brief time on earth – he was able contribute more to the world that many of us can contribute in a lifetime. Because of Keith’s work on the internet – which began when he was only about 14 years old – an enormous amount of people have been enriched through by leadership, knowledge and wisdom about computer technology.
I have been asked by his friends on the internet to share with you that the number of people Keith influenced for the better though his website could not be held in any room – that it would take football stadiums to hold all of the people that he influenced through his life and work. Some of these people – twice his age – owe their careers, and close-knit technical communities to Keith.
I’ve been told that Keith created a few controversies as his mother can attest to. He made a lot of people mad at times but he got people to think...to communicate. Keith was a truly good human being. The internet communities that he brought into being are now a part of his legacy.
We can take comfort today in the knowledge that Keith’s life force – his vision, giving spirit and inspiration did not died with his body. Many of you here were touched by Keith’s indomitable spirit, energy, and willingness to serve. You have been touch by his wit and intensity and curiosity. The inertia of his spirit remains with us – and we can thank God for that.
Even after his death, Keith’s organs gave new hope to seven different people who were facing their own tragedies. I know they are thankful – and they too are part of Keith’s legacy.
Finally we can take comfort in the sure and certain hope that we will see him again – that the powers of darkness have not had the last word – and that today Keith has taken up residence in God’s Kingdom. As one of his friends put it, Keith was a shining light in the world. He was blessed with rare and God given gifts. And he used them well. The world is better for having Keith as a part of it.
What we are left with after this tragedy is this consolation: comfort in the our faith and our experience that God can take a lousy, rotten, evil, terrible, tragedy like this one and redeem it – make something good of it. Now the Lord of the Universe calls all of us to absorb Keith’s light – the bright spirit of the love and service and brilliance and kindness he released – and shine with the same spirit in our own lives and in our own ways.
I believe that is what Keith would have us do – and what the Lord desires for all of us. Thank you Lord for giving us Keith. Amen.

Pastor Tim Larson
October 30, 2004
Grand Rapids, Michigan

[Kwitko]

A wonderful eulogy, Pastor. I'm glad that Keith leaves a legacy of touching so many people in a positive way, and I hope amidst this tragic event that everyone can see the profound and positive impact Keith had on all of us.

[mmonnin]

Very well said.

[profdlp]

Very moving and very true. I have saved a copy in my "Inspirational Words" folder. It will be re-read often.

Thank you, Pastor.

[Leonardo]

Bravo! :)

[TheGr81]

Amen...

[QCH2002]

Thank you Pastor Larson. The words and the heart felt emotion that you expressed in that eulogy describes the life that still lives on in the world. Keith will be missed but he is not gone, just moved on to be with the Lord.

[primesuspect]

I pulled some memorable quotes from various places (this thread, personal notes that were mailed to me, notes that came with paypal donations, etc.) and made them into a card that I am going to be giving to Keith's mom today. I figured that I would make it available on the site for anybody who wants to download it. You can print it out double sided and fold it and keep it as a keepsake for this, truly global, memorial service.

[celcho]

that's really nice. i'm sure ms. whitsitt will really like it.

[Leonardo]

Well done, Prime, well done. Thank you for the compilation of the community members' thoughts.

[primesuspect]

I'd like to announce a private forum for friends and family of Mortin. It is not designed to exclude, but is being kept private to make sure that everybody who has access to it has good intentions and is not going to go there to harass people or hurt anybody. I think we all know what I'm talking about.

If anybody who cared about Keith would like access to the forum, please PM me and I will grant access. I would ask that anybody who wants access have someone else who can "vouch" for them if I am not familiar with the name. I'm sure there won't be any problems with any of this.

Basically we also want the private forum to be the souce of official information about the case. Obviously rumors and misinformation spread quickly in such a fluid medium of communication. Keith's mother has access to the forum and will be the only source of "official" information.

Let it be known right now, publicly, that the investigation now operates around the idea that KEITH WHITSITT DID NOT COMMIT SUICIDE. There are far too many inconsistencies and bits of information to allow suicide to fit into the picture. For anyone who thought that his struggle with bipolar disorder had anything to do with his death, please get that idea out of your head. He was murdered.

PM me if you want access to the private forum.

[CaffeineMe]

I've been away from S-M for a spell, and only just tonight heard about Mortin. So very sad. I'm one of the old Icrontic folks, and would not be here had Keith not formed Icrontic way back when.

There was controversy and bad feelings when Icrontic shut down, but put in perspective, anything said or done way back when is, by comparison, so trivial when a person's life has ended this suddenly.

I did not know Keith, and I'm not sure if I ever directly communicated with him. That doesn't matter. He had an influence on my life, and the lives of hundreds, maybe thousands of others via his websites. Think of the fun that's been had, the problems solved, the people brought together because of his sacrifice of money time and talent to put together what has become Short Media. We all owe him a debt of gratitude.

His passing is sad news indeed. My thoughts are with his family, and my thanks go to him for what he did in his life.

[Shivian]

I am a pretty infrequent viewer of these forums nowadays so I only just found this thread. I didn't know Keith very well except through Apu's Hardware/Icrontic. His site was by far the most interesting tech site that I had come across and was one that was easy to keep coming back to, because you enjoyed the way it was presented. With his humour and style.

Despite differences people may have had with him, you have to respect a guy who gets things done the way they want them done.

Finally my deepest condolences to Keith's family and friends and may he rest in peace.

[MrIcee]

To say I'm shocked, indeed is an understatement.

My apologies for not getting to this thread sooner, my real life duties as Transportation Director keep me away from the online arena much lately.

Keith and Icrontic not only brought opportunities to the knowledgable....the platform to bring foward ideas to the enthiusiast community, but the forum for the enthusiast to come and absorb the findings of the resident expert overclockers.

Icrontic was my second home for a wonderful period of time. I was "turned on" to the forum by my dear friend OPPAINTER and soon introduced to dear friend DDTUNG. At that time my pals in all things AMD. Thanks to Morten and staff I was brought aboard as staff and allowed to spread my wings in the overclocking world.

For that opportunity I will be forever grateful.

I only had a couple of occasions to communicate with Morten and he was always a stand up guy with me.

Morten brought to the community in Icrontic, with it's staff, the best of the best.

With Icrontic, DDTUNG and myself were given the stage to organize the 1st 3DMark benching team in the world, uniting the top overclockers to produce some of the most incredible 3D benching of the time. Since that time many, many teams have spawned from Icrontic's original concept producing the best competition ever, and pushing the modification and cooling technologies to new heights.

We can all thank Morten for giving us that stage. May God bless you Morten....and your family.My sincerest condolences.

Best Regards,

Randi "MrIcee" Sica

[DexterHolland911]

Ah, the 'old' days of Icrontic's overclocking dominance. Those were the times. Its good to see everyone again, unfortunate it had to be under these circumstances...

[csimon]

Wow it's great to see all you guys again ...I still have my kt7a-r btw just not my primary system anymore! hehe

I still haven't seen ddtung though ...he must still be around somewhere!

[Leonardo]

MrIcee, DexterH - so good to see you again! Holy Cow. Do you think you could get Oppainter and DDTung to drop by and say hello? I apologize if I am assuming incorrectly that you know where they are.

[csimon]

MrIcee, DexterH - so good to see you again! Holy Cow. Do you think you could get Oppainter and DDTung to drop by and say hello? I apologize if I am assuming incorrectly that you know where they are.
see post #125 (http://www.short-media.com/forum/showpost.php?p=201748&postcount=125) for oppainter!

[Leonardo]

Ahh, good. Thanks for dropping by, Opp! :thumbsup:

[phildo]

Hi all, some I know, most I don't...Sad day for us all.
Bye Keith.

[Leonardo]

Phildo,

Thank you so much for dropping in. Thanks for visiting your friends.

[Atltais]

Man, I'm in a bit late, I know. I wish I could have found out about this much, much sooner than I did, but....

I can't really say anything except 'condolences.'

I'm another one of the old shard people. I talked to Mortin on occasion, I saw the site get hacked, and then I saw it all go up for sale. Back then, it was pretty surreal, in my opinion, and I guess it still is. I never really participated in the forums all that much, and it was under a different name (Sabin, for the curious, although I doubt you'll know me unless from the shards). Honestly, I don't participate in any forum all too much, but I was quite an avid reader of Apu's Hardware/Icrontic, but when the shards (Plural, as there were two for a while. The sphere server and the POL server) came around, that's what called a good chunk of my attention.

Even if I didn't talk to him constantly, well, he'll still be missed.

I guess I was lying about the not being able to say anything.

[Corvette]

I just registered to say that if it weren't for Icrontice I never would have found great OC'rs like DD, Opp, and MrIcee. I really appreciate what Mr. Keith Whitsitt has done for my involvement in computers. His contribution in the form of Icrontic has shaped many decisions I have made.

Thanks Keith,
Vette

[XZGohan]

I was cleaning out my no longer used email address and found this.

How unexpected :( He was a pretty damn cool guy. I loved those ghetto hardware articles... damn.

RIP. Mortin.