Man i just came across this. LW customer since 2009, spend circa 3k p/m. With God as my witness, i asked chatgpt "what the hell has happened with Liquid Web over the years." It knew exactly what i meant, then it told me about the sale etc etc. My next question was, where is the original founder and has he started a new hosting company, and here i am. So sad to hear guys... obviously i didnt know the man but let me infer something from a neutral which would probably speak volumes. I used to personally call support in those early days, it was just so enjoyable to speak to the staff, everyone was a GUN, like i dont mean ok, i mean proper damn good. I would always wondered how they have managed to get such good people, everyone was the kind of staff you dream of but cant buy. You guys would know exactly what i mean, everythign i ever needed was "best effort" but in reality it may as well have been part n parcel as everyone was actually so good and yeah crazy. It makes sense to me know and says allot about someone when they can get people like that around them. Heart goes our to the family, friends and staff, so sorry to hear of your loss.
You’re exactly right about those early days at Liquid Web. It was different. It was incredibly fun. We were all just young kids trying to figure it out.
We were building something we believed in, and somehow Matt created a place where people actually wanted to do their best. You could feel it in every support call. That wasn’t a fluke. It was the culture we lived every day, and Matt was right at the center of it.
I remember those “best effort” tickets. You nailed it. The team would do everything in their power, and then a little more. That spirit mattered, and it lives on in the stories people like you still remember. We used to always use the example that if a customer called up and it was literally a misdial and they thought they were ordering a pizza - our staff should order the pizza for them and then say "And just so you know, we are a web hosting company but we are happy to help you with this". We tried really hard to make sure that we had the best support in the industry.
Thanks for taking the time to say this, and for seeing the heart behind the company. I promise it didn’t go unnoticed.
I knew Matt for approximately 5 years. We enjoyed a lot of memorable times together, He invited me to LA the weekend he passed away, I dont know how i would have cooped with hes passing had i been there. It really sucks how someone who worked so hard to get where he was at can just be taken away like that, REST IN PEACE buddy, I miss You.
I wanted to ask—are you the Christian who lived with Matt in LA during his last few years? I’ve heard from a few people that you may have been one of his closest friends at the time. If so, I would really love the chance to talk sometime. I never got to meet you, but I’d be incredibly grateful to learn more about what Matt’s life was like in those final two or three years. I’ve been trying to piece things together, and hearing from someone who was close to him would mean a lot to me.
If you’re open to it, let me know and I’ll send over my cell number.
Also, what you wrote really stayed with me. That kind of near miss—being invited out for a weekend like that—it leaves a mark. I appreciate how clearly you saw him, and how much his friendship meant to you. It’s still hard to believe he’s gone. But the fact that people like you are still thinking of him, still honoring him, says a lot about the kind of person he was.
Thanks again for sharing this. And please reach out if you’re open to connecting.
Thank you for setting the story straight Travis. I worked at Liquid Web (you and I started same day I think) and would see you and Matt all the time from where I sat in front of Jeremy's office next to Nick C. I have fond memories of Matt, and admire him for taking life by the balls and taking it for all it's worth, I wish many of us could have such courage. I credit him with launching the careers of many such as myself, and will be eternally grateful for his contributions to the Michigan economy.
I hope the Lord grants you comfort during these rough times, and that you're living your best life. Cheers brother.
Philip, Thanks so much for commenting my friend! I remember you with such admiration and think of you often when I'm struggling with networking issues I can't figure out. Which sadly happens more than I care to admit. Can anyone explain to me why Google Wifi sucks so much?! I don't get it. But anyway, thanks so much for the kind words. Regarding this particular post, it really bothered me how so many unfounded rumors swirled around about Matt's death immediately following. The family (and me to a lesser extent) were struggling personally to figure out what happened and we had to deal with rude people presumptuously disparaging and tarnishing Matt's reputation. It seemed so cruel and uncalled for. It was so painful to have to wait for nearly 6 months to finally get the coroner's report. And by that time, people had their minds made up and couldn't be convinced otherwise. I've had a few really nasty comments on this post. I tried to engage with the people but they didn't care to have their mind changed. So unfortunately, I had to delete their comments.
Thanks so much for the reach out, Philip. You helped build Liquid Web and you should be very proud of that. We built something together that endures today and most importantly gave a lot of people a lot of great memories.
Thank you for sharing this with us Travis. I lost my brother unexpectedly last August and it completely altered my world. Grief is a unique emotion/experience that creates a new normal in which you have to find the positive, reflect on the memories, and reevaluate what is truly important. Stay encouraged and keep sharing!
Shalonna, I'm so sorry to hear of your brother's passing. My thoughts are with you. I hope that you have found productive ways to process your grief and turn his tragic loss into a point of inspiration. I know how hard it can be. Thank you for sharing with me your story and for reading mine. It give me comfort to know that I'm not in this alone.
Blane, I haven't heard from you. Are you going to reach out review the cause of death as listed on his death certificate? I'm hoping that we can just clear this up for you.
I know how hard it can be to accept that he’s gone. I’m going through the same thing. For nearly 6 months we had to deal with the additional tragedy that we didn’t have the autopsy and toxicology report. I can only tell you exactly what the autopsy and toxicology report. Which I did in this post. You can feel free to email me and/or call me and I’d be happy to provide you a copy for you to read for yourself. Travisstoliker@gmail.com. I’m sorry you’re still struggling with the grief and I hope this information can give you some closure. But just to be clear, it’s inappropriate and wrong to spread incorrect information. I’m sure you wouldn’t want to do that to the family. So I hope you’ll reconsider your actions knowing that it can cause real harm and is factually incorrect. I wish you the very best.
Damn. RIP radking.
Man i just came across this. LW customer since 2009, spend circa 3k p/m. With God as my witness, i asked chatgpt "what the hell has happened with Liquid Web over the years." It knew exactly what i meant, then it told me about the sale etc etc. My next question was, where is the original founder and has he started a new hosting company, and here i am. So sad to hear guys... obviously i didnt know the man but let me infer something from a neutral which would probably speak volumes. I used to personally call support in those early days, it was just so enjoyable to speak to the staff, everyone was a GUN, like i dont mean ok, i mean proper damn good. I would always wondered how they have managed to get such good people, everyone was the kind of staff you dream of but cant buy. You guys would know exactly what i mean, everythign i ever needed was "best effort" but in reality it may as well have been part n parcel as everyone was actually so good and yeah crazy. It makes sense to me know and says allot about someone when they can get people like that around them. Heart goes our to the family, friends and staff, so sorry to hear of your loss.
Tom, thank you. This meant a lot to read.
You’re exactly right about those early days at Liquid Web. It was different. It was incredibly fun. We were all just young kids trying to figure it out.
We were building something we believed in, and somehow Matt created a place where people actually wanted to do their best. You could feel it in every support call. That wasn’t a fluke. It was the culture we lived every day, and Matt was right at the center of it.
I remember those “best effort” tickets. You nailed it. The team would do everything in their power, and then a little more. That spirit mattered, and it lives on in the stories people like you still remember. We used to always use the example that if a customer called up and it was literally a misdial and they thought they were ordering a pizza - our staff should order the pizza for them and then say "And just so you know, we are a web hosting company but we are happy to help you with this". We tried really hard to make sure that we had the best support in the industry.
Thanks for taking the time to say this, and for seeing the heart behind the company. I promise it didn’t go unnoticed.
I knew Matt for approximately 5 years. We enjoyed a lot of memorable times together, He invited me to LA the weekend he passed away, I dont know how i would have cooped with hes passing had i been there. It really sucks how someone who worked so hard to get where he was at can just be taken away like that, REST IN PEACE buddy, I miss You.
Christian, thank you for sharing this.
I wanted to ask—are you the Christian who lived with Matt in LA during his last few years? I’ve heard from a few people that you may have been one of his closest friends at the time. If so, I would really love the chance to talk sometime. I never got to meet you, but I’d be incredibly grateful to learn more about what Matt’s life was like in those final two or three years. I’ve been trying to piece things together, and hearing from someone who was close to him would mean a lot to me.
If you’re open to it, let me know and I’ll send over my cell number.
Also, what you wrote really stayed with me. That kind of near miss—being invited out for a weekend like that—it leaves a mark. I appreciate how clearly you saw him, and how much his friendship meant to you. It’s still hard to believe he’s gone. But the fact that people like you are still thinking of him, still honoring him, says a lot about the kind of person he was.
Thanks again for sharing this. And please reach out if you’re open to connecting.
Thank you for setting the story straight Travis. I worked at Liquid Web (you and I started same day I think) and would see you and Matt all the time from where I sat in front of Jeremy's office next to Nick C. I have fond memories of Matt, and admire him for taking life by the balls and taking it for all it's worth, I wish many of us could have such courage. I credit him with launching the careers of many such as myself, and will be eternally grateful for his contributions to the Michigan economy.
I hope the Lord grants you comfort during these rough times, and that you're living your best life. Cheers brother.
--Philip L.
Philip, Thanks so much for commenting my friend! I remember you with such admiration and think of you often when I'm struggling with networking issues I can't figure out. Which sadly happens more than I care to admit. Can anyone explain to me why Google Wifi sucks so much?! I don't get it. But anyway, thanks so much for the kind words. Regarding this particular post, it really bothered me how so many unfounded rumors swirled around about Matt's death immediately following. The family (and me to a lesser extent) were struggling personally to figure out what happened and we had to deal with rude people presumptuously disparaging and tarnishing Matt's reputation. It seemed so cruel and uncalled for. It was so painful to have to wait for nearly 6 months to finally get the coroner's report. And by that time, people had their minds made up and couldn't be convinced otherwise. I've had a few really nasty comments on this post. I tried to engage with the people but they didn't care to have their mind changed. So unfortunately, I had to delete their comments.
Thanks so much for the reach out, Philip. You helped build Liquid Web and you should be very proud of that. We built something together that endures today and most importantly gave a lot of people a lot of great memories.
Thank you for sharing this with us Travis. I lost my brother unexpectedly last August and it completely altered my world. Grief is a unique emotion/experience that creates a new normal in which you have to find the positive, reflect on the memories, and reevaluate what is truly important. Stay encouraged and keep sharing!
Shalonna, I'm so sorry to hear of your brother's passing. My thoughts are with you. I hope that you have found productive ways to process your grief and turn his tragic loss into a point of inspiration. I know how hard it can be. Thank you for sharing with me your story and for reading mine. It give me comfort to know that I'm not in this alone.
Blane, I haven't heard from you. Are you going to reach out review the cause of death as listed on his death certificate? I'm hoping that we can just clear this up for you.
I know how hard it can be to accept that he’s gone. I’m going through the same thing. For nearly 6 months we had to deal with the additional tragedy that we didn’t have the autopsy and toxicology report. I can only tell you exactly what the autopsy and toxicology report. Which I did in this post. You can feel free to email me and/or call me and I’d be happy to provide you a copy for you to read for yourself. Travisstoliker@gmail.com. I’m sorry you’re still struggling with the grief and I hope this information can give you some closure. But just to be clear, it’s inappropriate and wrong to spread incorrect information. I’m sure you wouldn’t want to do that to the family. So I hope you’ll reconsider your actions knowing that it can cause real harm and is factually incorrect. I wish you the very best.