Twin Wolf Technology Group Posted April 22, 2017 Share Posted April 22, 2017 This was just posted on Chiriqui Chatter. It appears that Don Ray and his wife are moving to the US and we are losing one of the areas most kindhearted and helpful men that the expat community has known. This is truly sad news and a great loss for the community. I wish Don and his wife Lilliam all the best. --- The David Warden Position For the U.S. Embassy is Available April 21, 2017Panama Journal With this post I am announcing that the David Warden position for the U.S. Embassy in Panama is available to be filled. Lilliam and I are going to move to the U.S. I resigned my position as Warden effective today. If you have an interest in filling this position, please email the America Citizen Services at the following email address (Panama-ACS@state.gov) and they will explain the duties and responsibilities. I will no longer be posting the Embassy notices. I encourage you to sign up with STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program) and you will receive all communications directly from the Embassy. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brundageba Posted April 22, 2017 Share Posted April 22, 2017 I'm bummed. Big shoes to fill ! Alison 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Doug Posted April 22, 2017 Share Posted April 22, 2017 I suppose Chiriqui Chatter is coming to an end, as well. Unfortunate. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TwoSailors Posted April 23, 2017 Share Posted April 23, 2017 Time to move on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twin Wolf Technology Group Posted April 23, 2017 Author Share Posted April 23, 2017 I am well aware that not everyone was a Don Ray fan. Most everyone has their detractors whether they admit it or not. I am well aware of mine, they remind me often! The bigger point here was that there is a large group of expats moving out of Panama. While the short term residents are missed, it is the longer term residents that the community has come to rely on that will be the biggest impact. I fear for the next expat that needs the type of help Marion Clamp and others received. As the saying goes, you do not know what you have until it is gone. Then again the optimist says: you don't know what you've been missing until it arrives. Moving on... appreciating what I have... and waiting for what comes... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Siempre Soluciones Posted April 23, 2017 Share Posted April 23, 2017 6 hours ago, Uncle Doug said: I suppose Chiriqui Chatter is coming to an end, as well. Unfortunate. As did Boquete Guide after Lee Zeltzer passed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimAndNena Posted April 23, 2017 Share Posted April 23, 2017 4 hours ago, Twin Wolf Technology Group said: I am well aware that not everyone was a Don Ray fan. Most everyone has their detractors whether they admit it or not. I am well aware of mine, they remind me often! The bigger point here was that there is a large group of expats moving out of Panama. While the short term residents are missed, it is the longer term residents that the community has come to rely on that will be the biggest impact. I fear for the next expat that needs the type of help Marion Clamp and others received. As the saying goes, you do not know what you have until it is gone. Then again the optimist says: you don't know what you've been missing until it arrives. Moving on... appreciating what I have... and waiting for what comes... I think Joni said it best, Dan: They paved paradise And put up a parking lot With a pink hotel, a boutique And a swinging hot spot Don't it always seem to go That you don't know what you've got Till it's gone They paved paradise And put up a parking lot I have been reading Don Ray's blogs daily for over a decade, first from when he was in Boquete and later when he moved to David. I do not know of anyone who has done more for the expats in Chiriqui with no thought of reward. Lee Zeltzer and others have written blogs that at times have been helpful to a few but there was usually a revenue stream connected, and none of those people were boots on the ground when expats needed help. There were helplines around but all they did was try to dispatch local authorities who may or may not have been helpful. If Don Ray got a call from the embassy, he went. I think it is also proper to mention the amount of help Lilliam has been in these cases, too. She and Don Ray are the complete deal and their departure will leave a big void for someone to fill. jim 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarieElaine Posted April 23, 2017 Share Posted April 23, 2017 I think it is fair to note that there are also some very bad sorts here that prey on, degrade and humiliate people just for fun. Ning is full of them! Probably there are more NPI's (nuts per square inch) here because we are such a small community that they "stick out". While I too lament the fact that we may not have Don's wit with us on a daily basis anymore, I am confident their reasons for leaving are good ones and wish him and Lilliam all the best in the U.S. As I too make arrangements to journey to Europe, I am looking forward to getting together with former Boquete residents in Spain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheila Posted April 23, 2017 Share Posted April 23, 2017 Has anyone heard why he abruptly decided to leave? He made no comment as to why, and has not replied to anyone on his site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimAndNena Posted April 23, 2017 Share Posted April 23, 2017 1 hour ago, Sheila said: Has anyone heard why he abruptly decided to leave? He made no comment as to why, and has not replied to anyone on his site. I don't believe Don Ray has ever done anything "abruptly". He is a meticulous planner. I don't believe he owes anyone a reason. The most important question is who will step up to handle warden duties with his departure? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheila Posted April 23, 2017 Share Posted April 23, 2017 Of course he doesn't owe anyone an explanation, but someone in his position should at least give a general reason as to why. He was the Embassy Warden, and was a very outspoken person who talked about his personal life quite frequently, so it is a bit strange and disconcerting that he would not comment on the reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnF13 Posted April 23, 2017 Share Posted April 23, 2017 Don has shared, in private, "a reason" with me. I'm not sure it is the whole thing but guys, being U.S. Warden in David has just got to be soul sucking. Maybe he needs to reduce and reflect. Whatever, everyone needs to understand what he did and who he represented. Time for a new beginning for everyone I think. I wish him well. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudyS Posted April 23, 2017 Share Posted April 23, 2017 3 hours ago, Sheila said: Of course he doesn't owe anyone an explanation, but someone in his position should at least give a general reason as to why. He was the Embassy Warden, and was a very outspoken person who talked about his personal life quite frequently, so it is a bit strange and disconcerting that he would not comment on the reason. Maybe he's just tired. Wouldn't you be? He has always gone over and beyond for people in trouble. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Woolford Posted April 23, 2017 Share Posted April 23, 2017 Don Ray has had his home on the market for quite a while, so the announcement that he's leaving doesn't surprise me. It's a shame he wasn't able to organize a replacement for the Warden's position before resigning. His dedication will be missed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimAndNena Posted April 24, 2017 Share Posted April 24, 2017 1 hour ago, Keith Woolford said: Don Ray has had his home on the market for quite a while, so the announcement that he's leaving doesn't surprise me. It's a shame he wasn't able to organize a replacement for the Warden's position before resigning. His dedication will be missed. Finding his replacement isn't part of the job description. I think there will be an opening for warden in Boquete soon, if you are interested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Doug Posted April 24, 2017 Share Posted April 24, 2017 From what I can tell, being a warden is demanding position, especially when dealing with a subset of the population who thinks the warden should solve any and all problems. While it's an honor to be named as a warden, it's certainly not an honorary position. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brundageba Posted April 24, 2017 Share Posted April 24, 2017 Don went the extra mile for every case he assisted with. He'd dive into his personal savings if necessary. Countless hours at bedsides, in homes in transports....on and on it went non-stop. . Offering his private home space for relatives of injured...think about that? I doubt there is anybody that can fill those big shoes. I sure hope so. For Don, a good rest and peace would be a wonderful thing. For him to enjoy life as a retired man with his wife, would be a blessing. God knows he so deserves it ! God speed Don....you will be so missed here but never forgotten. Alison and Bill BTW. I remember first meeting Don. Bill and I just had gotten off the boat as it were, some 10 years ago. . We were in Super Baru and bumped into Don, and struck up a conversation. He never boasted his position or person during the chat but did hand us his card and told us if we needed anything he'd be happy to help. What a heck of a guy that man ! Really...consider that. Just a 100% nice guy. Man, we'll miss him here. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.