Dikembe Mutombo (1966-2024)

[DanMcQ]

www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/10/dikembe-mutombo-american-idea/680093/?utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share

[cas92]

As a freshman living in Harbin and as a sophomore in Village C, would often hear Dikembe's booming baritone in the New South cafeteria - where he would regularly engage w/ the serving staff, laughing and pleading for bigger portions on his plate; no pretensions, just genuine interaction on the kindest level.

[tashoya]

Sept 30, 2024 23:54:49 GMT -5 miracles87 said:

So many wonderful remembrances about someone who meant so much to all of us. I am truly heartbroken for Dikembe's family and close friends on this sad day. Dikembe happened to pass on my Mother's birthday, her first since she died earlier this year. While this is utterly meaningless in the grand scheme, I did want to share that, for these many years since Deke played at Georgetown, my Mumma would always respond when my Hoya hoop obsession came up by reciting as much of Dikembe's full majestic name that she could summons at the moment, "Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo..etc.".. A strange moment of joy on an immensely sad day.

RIP Dikembe

Condolences on the loss of your mom.

[jwp91]

Oct 1, 2024 9:08:37 GMT -5 cas92 said:

As a freshman living in Harbin and as a sophomore in Village C, would often hear Dikembe's booming baritone in the New South cafeteria - where he would regularly engage w/ the serving staff, laughing and pleading for bigger portions on his plate; no pretensions, just genuine interaction on the kindest level.

And he would stand behind the line at the counter in the cafeteria and just extend his arms down and reach the ladies serving the food who had a soft spot for him.

[traversb]

RIP Deke. A true class act in all facets of life.

[DanMcQ]

[DanMcQ]

[DanMcQ]

[DanMcQ]

[AvantGuardHoya]

The stories and comments about brother Mutumbo are wonderful to read and hear. He truly reflected some of the best human qualities and has left a TREMENDOUS legacy. His family, friends, Big John and the Georgetown community are very proud of this loving spirit. 🙏

[DanMcQ]

[hoya8]

A gentleman. Whenever I or my family passed him, he aways said 'Hi'. He represented everything good about Georgetown Athletics and will be missed!

[seaweed]

Rob Schneider deleted

Moderator note: No link included for context (and please do not bring here).

That said, confront the source where it happened on X, not here in this thread.

[Lethal_Interjection]

deleted, see above

[tashoya]

deleted, see above

[DanMcQ]

[tashoya]

Oct 1, 2024 20:54:27 GMT -5 DanMcQ said:

I am very saddened by the fact that Dikembe is gone for many reasons. Humanity being the overwhelming leader on the list. But, I'm already lamenting the fact that Dikembe will never have a 3rd act like Kareem has with his advocacy and his voice. Clearly, Dikembe made the most of the time he had. Wildly successful career, gorgeous and loving family, and a legacy of humanitarianism that will, likely, outlive us all. But, I'd love to hear from Dikembe in his 70s. For his perspective. I'm lamenting the loss of his hope and his optimism and I will continue to do so. We'd all do very well to follow his lead in whatever ways we can in our own lives. Not only would it honor a great person and an incredible Hoya, it would make our own lives a bit better in being selfishly generous. RIP, Dikembe. You'll not only never be forgotten, you'll live on in many that you touched. He's gone far too soon but his kindness and generosity lives on in both physical structures and in the way he affected and helped so many in so many different ways. This one is really tough. But, when your passing makes so many people so sad, you've really done something. And, Deke did a lot. Love to his family and friends and to us here that didn't all know him but loved and respected him, nonetheless. We are worse today for him being gone. May each of us pick up a little of the huge slack he left in whatever ways we can in our own lives. It's gonna take a lot of us...

[bluegray79]

Enjoying all of these posts. They are therapeutic for me. They are helping me process and mourn the passing of a great man. I was fortunate to meet Dikembe and chat with him once, but I didn't know him really. But looking at the way he touched so many lives, including mine, I am understanding better that part of his magic is how he made all of us feel connected in his time as a Hoya and later as this bigger than life and astonishingly generous, compassionate, and loving human being. Reminds me and all of us about what's important and what's possible, and for that we have been lucky to have him in our world.

So here's my story of meeting Dikembe. Standing in the sandwich room at Weissies one evening in the fall of 2021. Out of the corner of my eye, I see this huge figure and turn to see it's Dikembe. He stands and waits for his order like I am. Only a few people there, so I walk over and say hello. I tell him that Ryan and my son are in a class together and how much my son enjoys Ryan. Then I ask him how he thinks the basketball season is going. "Well, you know, they have their challenges and they're trying hard." I asked him what it was like to play against Ewing. He laughed. Somehow we got talking about being 7 feet tall, and he says, "Ewing is not 7 feet tall. 6'10", not 7 feet." I told him I always thought Ewing was 7 feet. "No, no. 6'10, maybe 11' - not 7 feet." Then he laughed. I told him it was nice to meet him and talk and headed out. I still laugh about that conversation every time I think about it.

Anyway, it was a pretty unremarkable exchange in most ways, but I see now and from stories and Tweets that he had interactions everywhere he went, and he made people smile and feel good everywhere he went. Very sad he has passed but looking to his generous spirit for inspiration when life feels grim.

Don't know if this NBA video has been included -- enjoy

[bluegray79]

Huh. He may be right. Yet, Dikembe stood 7'2" and PE is a lick shorter in this picture. Could still be 7'. Still funny that Dikembe wanted to make that point. I bet Ewing got a laugh out of Dikembe's ribbing.

x.com/Hoyatexas/status/1840959537018175661

[jwp91]

I hadn't posted because I didn't have anything to add. Reading all the tributes illustrates what a life well lived Dikembe had. He impacted so many people. May he be an example to us all.