Feb
07
2009
In Memoriam: Shawn C. Dodd
By Paul Hainsworth
Shawn C. Dodd
Yesterday I received some terrible news. My friend Shawn had taken his own life on Tuesday, February 4. Like the crater left behind when a meteor strikes, his death has left me feeling a little hollowed out. Suicide has a way of doing that to the people left behind.
I first got to know Shawn at Helio in Los Angeles. We became lunch buddies, then poker buddies, then just friends. We started to get closer in 2007 and more in 2008, while machinating over startup ideas together. We eventually embarked on a startup idea, continuing after he left Helio and moved back to Austin. Over several weekend trips to Austin and countless phone calls, he became one of the closest friends I had made since moving to LA. As these things often end up, the startup venture didn’t take flight. We had a falling out after that. I always hoped we might cross paths again.
I don’t know everything there was to know about Shawn. I wonder if anybody really does. He was a particularly hard guy to get to know. But for a period of time, he let me into his life, I suspect more than he had let anyone in, in a long time. What you need to know about Shawn is this: he was one of the brightest, most interesting people I’ve ever known. Deeply passionate about technology and science, and generally interested in almost everything in the world around him. You could scarcely find a topic in which you couldn’t learn a thing or two from him. He could be incredibly thoughtful and very personable.
Shawn had a way of surprising you. Sent me a t-shirt with our proposed company logo, on my birthday. Opensourced our project because it might give back to the developer community. Could pair wine perfectly with any meal. Took me to a vegan, commune-run resto in Austin. Danced his ass off with me til 3am at an afterhours sock-hop themed boozecan. Could persuasively talk politics and public policy. In a word, the man was worldly, eclectic, fun to be around.
There was another side of Shawn that was darker. He could disappear sometimes, a week or months at a time. He seemed to be ruminating or brooding during these periods. Afterward, he wouldn’t talk about these times. I’m deeply saddened that I didn’t realize how dark things had gotten for him this time.
He will be missed.
Tags: death, Helio, Los Angeles, Shaun Dodd, suicide
Oh Paul. I’m so sorry to hear about your friend Shawn. Your roaming-the-wilderness friend Scotty here. Sadly I’ve been in your current shoes too many times. It’s tough, brutal man. It can really kick your ass but it does get less painful, and eventually less bitter more sweet. You’re tough, you’ll be fine. I just wanted to say hi and give my respects… take care buddy, you and yours. Say hi and hugs all around. My thoughts and prayers,
Scotty
ps – you’re such a lovely writer. a class act for real, cheers man. And yes, I am writing this on my iPhone…
Shawn was also a fine DJ back in the day, and while it’s been a long time since he last participated in the DJ community, he will be missed.
Paul – Thanks so much for your post about Shawn. He and I were friends, meeting in Seattle about 5 years ago. We shared a love for red wine, good food, and live music. My experiences of Shawn were exactly as you describe. He was incredibly intelligent, creative, thoughtful and good humored. But I, too, noticed he would pull away at times into darkness and solitude. I missed my friend in those times – I wish I had told him so.
I last saw Shawn about 10 months ago in Austin. He was full of excitement about the project you guys were working on. It also seemed he was spending too much time alone. I should have called him.
If you hear anything about services, I’d be interested to know. I live in Dallas now and could easily make the drive.
Peace, Stephanie
Shawn and I worked together between 1999 – 2000 in Austin together. I too, enjoyed having him around. Below is the information I got about his memorial.
Pei-Hwa
————————–
The memorial service will be at 1:30pm on Tuesday, February 10, 2009
at Bethany UMC, 10010 Anderson Mill Rd in Austin Texas.
The memorial service will be a celebration of Shawn’s life and the
family has asked In lieu of flowers to please consider a donation to
One Laptop Per Child in his name.
I started to learn things from Shawn from the day 1 I joined Helio. He is such an organized people and I enjoyed his notes and tutorials so much. I was hoping I could meet him again.
Shawn was my childhood friend, when I was about 11-12-13 and he was a year or two older. We knew each other for just a couple of years, as I was a military brat and he moved before my father’s tour in Virginia was up. I never knew the dark side you all have talked about, just the intelligent side. We beat “Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego” — the old-school one with the full-size printed World Almanac included — in an afternoon.
Shawn was a caring and thoughtful person far beyond his years. At that time in my life, I was terribly inept socially, and he was in fact my only friend. Before he moved, he replaced himself by introducing me to another friend (who then became my new only friend). I regret that only following Shawn’s death have I considered what a gift that act was.
I learned of Shawn’s death via Facebook; a mutual friend contacted and I assume Shawn’s other Facebook friends, which made for a surreal experience that also proved a blessing.
May God bless him and keep him. You were a special person Shawn….
Thanks for setting up this site….
My prayers are with his friends and family during this time.. Have comfort he is in no pain and with his maker.
AJ
I was very saddened to hear this news a couple of days ago. I knew Shawn back in the pcOrder days (1997-2000) and have very fond memories of working with him on a number of projects. He really was brilliant, as seems to be the common perception amongst those who knew him. As far back as the late 90′s, I also noticed a couple of times when Shawn would disappear. I recall driving to his house once to check on him when no one had heard from him in a couple of days. I also recall him brushing off the absence when he came back. It hurts me now to think of whatever pain he must have been in during those lonely times. He is resting peacefully now and he will clearly be missed by many.
I also knew Shawn when he lived in Sicily – we were fellow navy brats and he dated my sister for a year or two! I too remember Shawn as very smart, well spoken, and funny. He was very into speech and drama and if I recall correctly, won an award or two. He also was great at debate. Shawn always stood out from the crowd, which wasn’t very big over there. He was liked by everyone. I recently came across him in Facebook and had the chance to say hello – I am glad I did.
I feel horribly for his family and friends and am sure that he will be missed greatly by all.
Thanks for posting this Paul. I am so sad to hear this news, I worked with Shawn at Helio, as well. He was incredibly smart, supportive and a pleasure to work with. One of those people, that helped to create the collaborative and creative community we enjoyed while working there.
I appreciate you sharing your story.
This is really a shocking news for me. He is one of the excellent Architects I have seen till now. Though it is a short time (between 2005 and 2006) I have interacted, he is a good person with great values. It’s unbelievable time when i had been interacting with him on a project at Helio. He will be a model for the most of the upcoming Architects.
I believe he is resting in peace and no doubt Architects’ community will miss him a lot.
Thanks for posting this Paul and one more time we really miss him.