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2008 Israel Regional - today's sobering events
I would like to add my condolences to those already expressed here. I am the head referee at the Israeli Regional and I would like to also clarify the situation to the best of my ability.
Mr. Blankenstein was NOT on the referee crew. He was a VIP and I believe an executive from Omnitech, an Israeli company that distributes and/or supports Autodesk software here in Israel. His company is a contributor to the FIRST Israel program and he was there to present the Autodesk award and was standing by the field observing some matches with other VIPs when he collapsed. Following his collapse, and about 45 minutes of work by paramedics that was unfortunately unsuccessful in reviving him, the stadium was cleared and the remainder of the days matches postponed until tomorrow.
As others have said this is a very unfortunate loss, and my warmest wishes and sincerest sympathy go out to his family. This was a very sobering reminder of what is really important, and how trivial some of the bickering and squabbling here on CD can be sometimes.
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Stuart Bloom
Mechanical Engineer
Rolls-Royce Corporation
FIRST Team 1018 - Pike HS RoboDevilsMy activity for 2012: - Boilermaker planning committee
- Israel Head Ref - DONE (and it was FANTASTIC!)
- Boilermaker Regional (with 1018) - DONE
- Midwest Head Ref - DONE
- WORLD Championships (with 1018) - DONE
- IRI Head Ref - DONE
- CAGE Match Head Ref
Last edited by Stu Bloom : 24-03-2008 at 19:19.
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