So very sorry for your loss Laura. Have just joined this forum, but still feel as Iāve lost a friend. So sorry.
I am very sorry to hear about Onnoās passing. Although I have never met him personally, I have followed his work in TMU for several years and have witnessed the selfless way in which he helped people. His professional advice was naturally outstanding. But even more remarkable was his kindness and willingness to devote endless amounts of energy to helping other people. TMU is a wonderful legacy that I hope you will continue. My heart goes out to you and your family at this difficult time. I will keep him in my memory.
I am sorry for you loss Laura, I only had a few interaction with Phoenix but he was extremely helpful and kind and provided such a service through his work on this forum, I am very thankful for what he was able to do.
Hi Laura, I was profoundly saddened to hear the news of Onnoās passing just now and just wanted to express my deepest sympathies to you on your loss.
As you may or may not know, Onno and I had spoken at length on a number of occasions over the years, even for multiple hours at a time. As Iām sure you can imagine, it was always a rare treat to speak with someone who shared my (very arcane) passion for providing consumers with independent and trustworthy information about mattressesā¦
I had the utmost respect for Onno and will miss collaborating with him. There is no doubt that he had a great depth and breadth of knowledge in this area, and a gift for distilling it for others. But what I appreciated most was the integrity with which he approached his work, and his dedication to helping each last person.
I am so sorry again for your loss, and wish you the best of luck in carrying on with the site. Please donāt hesitate to reach out to me any time in the future if you would like to get acquainted.
Iām so terribly sorry to hear of the loss of your husband. Thank you for opening your home to us as we know it took significant personal time for you both to build TMU into what it is today. Your work has helped so many.
Gratefully and regretfully,
Bryanā¦
My deepest condolences
Laura, as I told you on the phone, I know what you are going through better than anyone. Onnoās loss was a heart breaker to me personally because we had talked about him coming to Phoenix in the near future so we could finally meet face to face. He and I shared so many things in common beyond the mattress industry it was almost scary. I will miss our 2 hour phone calls (at minimum) and the uplifting persona known here as Phoenix.
I am proud to be a founding member of the MU and am equally excited to know his work will be carried on by yourself. His and your efforts have not gone without much gratitude from the members of this community. I have personally advised many mattress industry suppliers in the past to be sure and take his phone calls because the information they provide will be shared throughout the world via the MU. The knowledge that you and he provided and will continue to provide is crucial in navigating the turbulent waters of the mattress industry.
The service you provide is second to none and the advice given is first class, just like Onno. A brighter day is just around the corner and rest assured, if you need anything from me I will be here to help out in any way I can. After 40 years in the industry I might have learned a thing or two that could help out someone in need so donāt be afraid to contact me if you get stumped. Thanks again for all you do and Rest In Peace my dear friend Onno.
So sorry for your loss. This site is informative and extremely helpful!
I would like for my first post on the site to be my sincere condolences. As someone whoās been learning tons from this site as we set off to our next purchase, I thank you for all of the work you and your husband have put into it.
You will all be in my thoughts and prayers.
My sincere condolences to you and your family. I am a new member and do not know you personally but want you to know that I am saddened to hear of your husbandās passing. Take care.
Laura,
We spoke on the phone a few weeks ago, but I have held off writing this out of simple grief. Onno was a dear, dear friend, colleague, confidante and adviser. We logged hours and hours on the phone talking about the industry, bouncing ideas off each other, and he gave me such good advice. We also had our disagreements too! Onno had his opinions and was not swayed off of them easily. He was a bright light and a fire for me and countless people who have no idea the level of time and passion he committed to this endeavor. I know he was so happy to get settled in the new place and had great plans going forward, but I am happy and find solace in the fact that you are keeping the site and the passion alive. He will be so sorely missed. Whenever I saw that number pop up on my phone, no matter where I was or what I was doing, I would settle in for a long conversation. Thank you for picking up the mantle and you have my continued support.
Laura, Iām very sorry to hear of your husbands passing. What you both have created with this site and continue to do so is a godsend. Even though I created my account today Iāve been coming here since August. Iāve been learning a lot along the way. Who would have thought that stumbling upon a mattress site would spark my interest to want to learn more about what I sleep on. You and your family are in my prayers.
Iām very sorry for your loss. The amazing work that has been done here to help educate consumers will always be a legacy.
Laura, I just stumbled upon this post and wanted to pass along my condolences. Iāve been a long-time reader of this site and, as with many of the members here, have benefited from all the invaluable information and insight that the both of you have been able to offer. I have always appreciated his willingness to offer up his advice and share his experiences. Although he will be missed, weāll continue to benefit through the community that the two of you have created, which provides us all with a forum to learn from each others experiences and make informed decisions in the mattress industry.
I am so sorry for your loss. This website was instrumental in finding the right mattress for myself. His passing is a loss for all of us. Bless you.
Laura,
Onno was a special man that I had such admiration for. Easy to talk to, thoughtful with his comments and oh so dedicated to seeking and sharing knowledge that he shared with others to a degree that certainly made him the āMichael Jordanā of the mattress industry for online answers to the publicās questions.
You both deserve such gratitude for creating and building this site. That you will continue on here honors Onnoās memory.
My heart is so heavy at the loss of Onno and particularly heavy for your loss. He will be missed by so many.
I wish you strength, peace and Godās comfort for all your coming daysā¦
My Deepest Sympathy,
Valerie Austin
Mattresses 247
I am very sorry to hear about this and offer my condolences.
Phoenix has helped me multiple times and built a great community in The Mattress Underground and I applaud your strength in keeping it running.
I am very sorry for your loss. This site is a wealth of information for consumers. Thank you for keeping it going,
Dear Laura,
I am so sorry for your loss. I found this site only recently and I have learned so much. You and your husband are in my head a lot of the time! Thank you and your husband for your wisdom and patience. You are in my heart every time I read anything on this site. Wishing you comfort and loving support in this time of transition. What a legacy he has left behind for the benefit of so many of us. much love to youā¦
Pamela