In Memoriam : Robert Redmond

  I first got to know Robert Redmond of Charles City, USA when I became a moderator for the Dimash Kudaibergen International Fan Club and he was mentoring the leadership team, showing them how to navigate the stormy waters of Dimash Qudaibergen's fandom. 

We had to deal with people from all over the world speaking in so many different languages and coming from so many different cultures, countries and backgrounds. It was not unusual to have to use our translators to go through at least ten different languages in a day. Kazakh, Russian, Mandarin, Spanish, Italian, French, Bulgarian, Romanian, Estonian, German, Czech, Polish... and they were speaking from different cultures and traditional mores, which could sometimes create argument and misunderstanding. It was a culture shock for me way back in 2018. But Robert was always calm and measured in his succinct analysis of each situation. 

We depended on him to guide us. Over the years, he handed over more and more responsibilities to the admins until, at one time, he must have decided we were able to be independent and he could let us make decisions on our own. His health was also a factor and I remember how worried we were in February of 2019. However he still kept the door open for us to ask his counsel, even when it took him ages to type out messages. I can only imagine how much pain he was in and yet he still was willing to help us. 

Robert, I will miss you very very much. DKIFC stands as testament to your understanding of how big a talent Dimash Qudaibergen is and how much more than a singer Dimash had the potential to be. And I know you know that on October 24 2023, Dimash was awarded the highest honour his country Kazakhstan could give someone in his field 'People's Artist of Kazakhstan'. You helped support this young man who has such great potential to change the world. 

Dimash Kudaibergen International Fan Club is your Sonnet 18, Robert. 

But thy eternal summer shall not fade, 

Nor lose possession of that fair thou ow’st; 

 Nor shall death brag thou wander’st in his shade, 

When in eternal lines to time thou grow’st: 

So long as men can breathe or eyes can see, 

So long lives this, and this gives life to thee. 

Farewell, dear Robert. I shall see you one day on the other side.

They say when people leave this world, their spirits look like they did when they were young and in the prime of their lives. You must be so happy, free of the physical that weighed you down so much.