Arnold Panitch

I never knew Jjaba´s real name, nor was I ever blessed to meeting Jjaba in person; however, he left an indelible imprint on my life. Jjaba and I met on-line. On a website titled DetroitYes.com. It was there that Jjaba was simply hilarious, insightful, gentle and knowledgeable. It seems thoroughly improbable to have a friend you only know from a website; it seems too modern, but Jjaba had magic in his fingers and will always be with me.

He introduced me to Portland´s many opportunities to advocate for accessible transportation and opened many doors or inquiry and entertainment for me. We shared our love for wandering about the city, eating Reubens and comedy. Everywhere we went in the city, Arnie knew someone and he remembered their names. Our long bus rides showed me places I wouldn´t have seen on my own. We left Portland in 2017 but few days have passed when I didn´t think of him.

This was a great friend, prankster, joke master and dedicated servant of mankind. I remember him in his train hat. Salom. Arnie

Arnie loved transit and served on several committees for people with disabilities and a citizens advisory committee for SE Corridor light rail. While he lived deep in SW portland and I lived deep in North Portland, we were connected by the line 44. Arnie would come directly to my house, sit on my porch and chat. His wife would meet us there, after coming by bike. We also met regularly for corn beef sandwiches as he retold his life stories to me. What a mensch! Thank you Arnie for...