The King is gone - Thanks for everything!

By: Patrick Gaumond

Kasper's retirement announced. What's in it for me?

Kasper's video and message today was moving and funny at the same time.

It made me travel back in time in Spring 2003 when I discovered TYPO3...

I remember sending email to Kasper about my progress in being able to use his creation (as if it was meaningful to him...). I also remember the very first time I saw him in person in January 2004 in Kitzbuhel. I was in the back of Daniel Hinderink's car and Kasper was waiting outside and he just introduced himself.

Later that night I had the pleasure to meet him again and had a small chat. Since TYPO3BOARD is a week long, we had other opportunities to talk. He was very friendly and easy going (like every single T3-head I met up there!).

I also managed to invite him for a trip in Québec if he was interested. In fact he was and came to stay at my house in Québec City in October 2004 with his lovely wife Rie. Was had a special Open Source and CMS day for the Government of Québec, we played golf, went to Ile d'Orléans to get some apples and fishes. In short, it was great.

I've met Kasper again in January 2005 in Kitz and finally in September 2006 in Karlsruhe for T3CON.

So from all those encounters of the third kind, I've been able to get a new friend, someone which I respect a lot and someone how gave me a lot.

This guy made a piece of software that changed my own life. Nothing less ! He's in part responsible for who I am today at a professional level. And I thank him for this!

I wish I could be in Switzerland right now to give hime a friendly hug and say thank you again. I wish other people get the opportunity to meet him and all the other pals in the community.

One sentence I use to explain the atmosphere and friendlyness that I saw at my first T3BOARD is: " I never met so much intelligent and friendly people per square feet in my whole life ! ". We where 80 people packed in a lodge in the Alps and those memories will last forever...

Thanks for it all Kasper.

Ton ami,

Patrick

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