It is with a heavy heart that I share the passing of Scott Holtzman, a cherished member of the FreePBX community for over 20 years. Scott was a pillar of our community, known for his tireless dedication, immense technical expertise, and generous spirit. His company, Micro Advantage, graciously sponsored the hosting of the FreePBX repositories for many years, even before FreePBX and later Micro Advantage was acquired by Sangoma . Scott was always there to lend a helping hand, especially during the âSchmooze wall of phonesâ daysâwhether it was Vegas, Atlanta, Fort Lauderdale, or Miami, you could always count on Scott to be there, assembling and taking down booths, working hard behind the scenes.
Scott wasnât just a tech guy; he was also an AV specialist with a company that set up sound systems in the Cleveland, Ohio area, and a passionate pilot who loved flying. He introduced me to the worldâs best key lime pie at Southport Raw Bar & Restaurant, and every time we were at a show in Florida, he made sure to carve out time to visit his mother. His love for his wife, Elaine, was clear to anyone who knew himâshe was his rock.
Our last conversation was in July, and we talked about baseball, as we often did, especially the Guardians and the Savannah Bananas. We were even planning a trip to catch a game. Scott and I shared many heated discussions over the years, particularly in the early days of the forums when Iâd have to ask @SkykingOH to âtone down his passionâ every now and then. But it was never out of malice. Scottâs intensity came from a place of wanting to help and improve, and I always admired that. He was never afraid to stand up for his ideas, but five minutes later, weâd be talking about life or baseball, because with Scott, it was always about the missionâmaking FreePBX betterânot personal egos.
Scottâs contributions to the global success of FreePBX were immense, and his absence will be deeply felt. He loved this community, poured his heart into it, and built a remarkable career from that passion. He was a defender of logic, a fighter for the best outcomes for the project and when we worked together our customers, and a friend who could argue fiercely one moment and share a laugh the next. The FreePBX world has lost one of its greatest champions.
Please consider supporting Scottâs family through this difficult time by contributing here: Fundraiser by Holly Cochrane : Support for Scott's Loving Family and Care Needs.
Rest in peace, Scott. Youâll be missed more than words can express.
