lost a member of its family this past weekend. Greg Russo, known as Enzian on our forums, passed away Saturday morning after a yearlong struggle with cancer. Whether you knew him strictly online or were among those fortunate enough to know him in “real life,” one thing was certain: Greg made an impact. A passionate guy, a man with overwhelming love for his family, someone who dealt with people honestly and fairly, our Enzian was in a class all his own. He loved to talk, he loved to read, but most of all he loved to smile. Words cannot express the sadness we feel, a grief made all the worse in knowing that Greg leaves behind a wonderful wife and two amazing young boys. He was only in his early 30s. He had so much left to give the world. Please indulge us as we mourn one of our own and share our memories of Greg “Enzian” Russo.

Earlier this year, Enzian contributed a piece of writing to our site: Three Carcinogenic Films. For those of you who haven't had the opportunity to read it, just follow the link above to check it out.

We're collecting donations from anyone interested in sending one. Your contribution will be going to the "Jimmy Fund", a charity his family wrote to us about. In honor of Enz, we're going to send one big donation from all his friends across the internet. A PayPal account has been made available to start a collection:

As most of you know, Enzian has been sick for about a year now. This has been a very long, hard struggle for him. Please keep his wife and two sons in your thoughts. For those of us lucky enough to have met Enzian, we know the world lost a great man yesterday. He had an infectious smile and was an all around great man. You will be missed, Greg.
-- Geek Lover

Worst news ever posted on DIMP. I never was fortunate enough to meet Enzian, but he always seemed 100% likeable.
-- Noto

This is sad news indeed it breaks my heart to read it. My prayers will be with his wife and sons. I never got to meet him but his online persona was one of the best I've ever chatted with. He will be missed.
-- John Carter

I am sorry to hear that...... I am glad to hear he was not in (physical) pain and that his family was with him. RIP.
-- Ashenden

Dammit. That really, really sucks. I was fortunate enough to meet him and he was pretty damn great. He seemed every bit the good father and husband and he was simply an all-around great guy to spend a weekend with.

I'm so sorry to hear this, although I kinda suspected it if only because of his absence. I wish I could've hung out with him again, but I feel lucky to have spent any time with him at all.
-- LarPhillips

I only met Enzian once at the DIMP BBQ last summer, but he made quite an impression on me with his hearty good humor and obvious affection for his wife and sons. My thoughts go out to them tonight.
-- Monterery Jack

I too, met Mrs. Enzian and Enzian at the DIMP BBQ last summer. He was a genuinely kind guy and great with his kids. For only knowing him for a few hours, I could tell he was a like-able kind of guy. My heart goes out to you and your sons, Mrs. Enzian. I am truly sorry to hear about your loss.
-- VoltronForce

Oh man. This is so terrible; it took a few moments for this to even register, despite knowing things haven't been well. I hoped against hope we'd never get this post.

I feel very lucky to have had a chance to spend some time with Greg. He exuded happiness, and it was contagious. Watching him and the boys was inspiring. So much love in that family.

The boys. God, that just breaks my heart.

All the best to the Russo family. This world is an emptier place without Greg in it.
-- William Howard Taft

I'm not sure what to type. I never met Greg in person, but the day his son was born, he called me over the phone, so full of energy and so proud of his big son named Stan. And he'd always tell me about his Monkus and how happy his family made him. He's always been just an all around great guy and was always fun to chat with. This hurts. I'm so sorry to hear about this.
-- brian

I was on the bus earlier today zoming out when from out of nowhere, Enzian popped into my head. I was going to go to the Thinking of Enzian thread to send some good vibes over to him.

I'm completely speechless. Just know that you guys are on my mind.
-- JFelix

Wow, this is awful. I never got to meet him, and it seems like I really missed out on something really cool. I hope his family is doing as well as they can and I will definitely be thinking about them.
-- aedavela

This is the very last thing I shot at the BBQ last year...It's a short clip, but it says more than I ever could... "click here"
-- video

Ruhe in Frieden, mein Freund.
-- Ayberk

I never met Enzian either but I loved chatting with him when the opportunities arose. Mrs. Enzian, my thoughts go out to you and your boys and if there is anything at all we can do, let us know.
-- CaryC

I think during our first few interactions we butted heads a bit so that prevented us from ever getting to know each other very well, but I can tell from how deeply he affected those close to him that he was a truly warm and loving human being. There are too few people who can claim that and the world is a slightly emptier, sadder place after his passing. My thoughts go out to his wife and family.
-- Cru Jones

From what I remember of Enz', and as many have already said, he loved his kids and wife a great deal and if I'm not mistaken he was a teacher?

I hope his family has the means and fortitude to get through this very difficult time.

God Bless you Enzian.
-- Iguana Man

Sad news indeed. Enzian was one of the only who backed me when I started having trouble at the File.
-- Techhound

This is horrible, horrible news. video, your short clip made me cry. Like so many others here, I only met Enzian that one time at last year's DIMP BBQ, but even in just that weekend, he had an impact on all of us. It was so obvious that he was simply a good guy who dearly loved his wife and utterly adored his children.

It's a sad, sad, sad day, but let's try to remember the better times.
-- Red

The impression I always got from NZN was that he was a genuinely good guy. If he was able to convey that so strongly on a message board I can only think that he must've been amazingly exceptional in person. After such a hard fight his pain is finally over, rest in peace big guy.
-- Machine Ghost

Enzian and I had conflicts back in the early days of DVDFile, mostly over stupid, nit picky rules. I thought he was a real dick for a long time. But over the years it slowly became apparent that he was a really fair guy. He never came into our interactions with any preconceived notions and he was always open to seeing things from my viewpoint. I came to respect that about him. Then, when we started up DIMP and Enzian came along for the ride, I got to see an even more friendly, interesting and though provoking individual. His love of great writing was particularly fascinating to me.

The fact that we have to eulogize Enzian today makes me sadder than I can say. I never had the chance to meet with him in person but I feel like I knew him as a friend. I'm glad that we got to spend the time we did with Enz'. It's a shame we had to lose him to really appreciate what a wonderful guy he was.

For my part, I'd like to recognize each and every one of you DIMPers as well. We've all taken a lot of time out of our lives to build a very real community of people here. As much as I bluster and fight with some of you, I want all of you to know how much I appreciate knowing you and spending time with you. We'll go on in Enzian's memory here at DIMP, hopefully for many years to come.
-- Surf Monkey

I still have his letter wishing me well when Brianwave posted that I was sick, as if he wasn't the one needing it more than I.

I still have the green tea bag he had sent that he shared with me - he had said it was some of his favorite for when he was feeling too sick to eat.

I wish that I had known him better and only glad that he had known us and me - if only slightly. I am so glad he had a final week such as the one he did, if only all of us can have that final time be so fulfilled.

I think of him every time I see that tea bag in my drawer at work. I doubt I will ever open it.

I wish the best for those that survive him. Peace, love and joy, bro.
-- Pender

Goodbye Enzian. I wish I had had the opportunity to know him better.
-- mtcarmel00

This is extremely sad, if unfortunately, not unexpected news. As a oncology pharmacist, I knew that Greg had a big mountain to climb following his initial diagnosis. The fact that he fought so valiantly speaks volumes about his character.

I only got to spend about an hour and a half in his presence, but he made a huge impression on me, and his adoption of me as the big brother he never had (in the thread that documented our meeting) was an honor. I'm sorry we never had the chance to smoke a bowl together as we'd planned, as our meeting at his house was cancelled so he could go on what proved to be his last vacation with his family. Typical of Enz, he apologized to me profusely in PM's that he couldn't be there.

My thoughts go out to his wife and young sons, and I hope one day, they can come here to DIMP and see what an impact their father had on the lives on so many he never even met in person. Rest in peace, Greg, you were a fine man, husband , and father.
-- kimfair

Working at DVDFile with Enz was always fun. We never had a single conflict (unlike some of the other people I worked with there), even though we loved to break each others balls constantly.

It's been remarked a number of times here that Enz had a love for his family that was unparalleled, which speaks volumes about the man. I posted this at the File, but I will repeat it here, as I think it is worthy of sharing. When my youngest child was born, and I posted the announcement on the File, Enz commented (as his youngest was only a couple of weeks older at the time) that he simply could not wait to get home from work to smell the top of his sons head. As a father, I thought that was quite simply one of the most beautiful things I could imagine anyone saying. It brought tears to me eyes at the time, and the memory does now.

Enz displayed his devotion to his family openly, and I honestly told him more than once that he was the kind of father and husband that any man, including myself, would be lucky to be. I aspire to be the Dad and Husband Enzian was.

When someone passes, we often realize how good they were despite their faults, and eulogize them with rose colored glasses. Enzian is one of those rare people that very few people can actually come up with anything negative to say about. I hope someday someone reads these posts to his boys so they can see how great a man their father was. He really touched all of us.

Enzian, I've been walking around all afternoon with tears in my eyes, thinking of your family, and what they have lost. I am glad you are somewhere beyond pain now. Your place in the world will never be filled.
--- Dad (shilo)

This is really sad. I don't even know what to say. My thoughts will be with him today.
-- Ace of Diamonds

So sad, the only time I really ever talked to him was in the "I had a bad day at the doctor thread" where I was an asshole to him for the most part. I feel so bad, but those pics and that video are very sad/happy.
-- Al Pacino

This is really awful news. Enz was one of the friendliest guys you'd ever want to meet. I feel lucky to have had so many fun conversations with him online over the last bunch of years, and it was great to have finally met him at the BBQ last year - along with his wonderful family. Judging by how much he meant to all of us here, I can only imagine how many other lives he touched in the "real world". You'll surely be missed, Enz.
-- lostwire

Wow, what a loss, my deepest sympathies...
-- Louie

I don't claim to know Enzian personally, but I knew him from his posts. From what I've read about him, they seemed to match him perfectly; honest, funny, interesting, caring, and a great conversationalist.

He will be missed by his family, no doubt, but a greater treasure is that he had friends; friends who will keep his memory alive, and therefore, he shall never be gone.

Thanks, Enzian for bringing something to every post, and leaving a lifetime of memories.
-- Maximum Jonah

Even though I mostly lurk and don't post much I've been reading Enzian's posts for years. My condolences to his friends and family. This is just really, really tragic.
-- Icon

I only ever had limited interaction with Enzian but hearing that news breaks my heart and after seeing those pictures of him and his boy put me over the top with emotion. Regardless of what forum you frequent Enzian was a class act and will be missed by all.
-- Monrozombi

Wow, this is really sad and surprising news. I never really talked to him a whole lot but it's very sad to know someone who posted here and had good relationships with everybody is gone. It's really a shame. It's clear that he won't be forgotten though. Everyone that got close to him seems to value him quite a lot. I wish his family and friends the best.

Goodbye Enz.
-- Zypn

Greg was obviously a great husband, a great father, and all-around great human being. I will continue to miss his presence at DIMP.
-- Mad Dog

My deepest, deepest condolences to all of Greg's family and all of his friends. My heart goes out to everyone whose hearts are in pain this week upon hearing this.

Greg was a good man. I will definitely be praying for his spirit, and for his family.

That smile of his will stay with me forever.

Vaya con Dios, mi hermano.
-- papibear

I'm shocked. Enz was always one of the good guys and will be sorely missed. My thoughts are with his family and friends.
-- Leggy Mountbatten

A really great guy and a class act who will truly be missed; I remember back in the File days, just the sight of his Kramer avatar would cheer me up and I'd look forward to reading what he'd posted. Though I never met him in person, it was very evident just from his posts that he was a great father and husband with a tremendous spirit and a wonderful sense of humor, even in the darkest of times.
-- Lex M

If you would like to share your thoughts as well, the HOLLA link below will take you directly to our thread for Enzian.