Steve (crazykiwi) just emailed me.  The following is from his message.
 
I just wanted to let you know that one of the Alembic forum members, Dr Nicola Knight, passed away recently from a heart attack while playing sport at the age of 33.  Nick was Italian but had spent a substantial amount of time at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbour, completing his Doctorate in Anthropology before relocating to the UK.
 
He wasn't very active on the Alembic forum as he had a busy work life as a research fellow at Oxford University.  However in the 4 years I knew him, he scaled his collection of instruments down from a range of Alembics and Smiths to just one, an Alembic Series II with a Europa shape and burl walnut facings.  
 
He was also a close friend who had a deliciously warped sense of humour and will be greatly missed by his close friends, colleagues and his devoted wife Maria.
 
Jazzyvee purchased his Europa from Nicola in this thread.
 
Nicola posted under two different usernames, knight and r5r5, as he had lost his password at one point and created a new account.  He first joined our group in 2003 and last posted in 2008; a long time member.
 
There is an In Memoriam page here with a nice picture of Nicola.
 
While he wasn't one of the regulars who post daily here, Nicola was one of the many who have been with us for many years now, and stop in from time to time, contributing to the growth and evolution of our community.
 
Thanks for being part of us Nicola.

Steve; thank you again for letting us know about your friend Nicola.  I know you'll miss him.  You are in my heart this evening.

Thanks David, he was a very unique personality.  
 
On the memorial page, there's a link to his last blog, some observations of pigeons entitled 'Pigeon Bothering' which attributes an ability to make morality based decisions to these birds that are otherwise often referred to as 'rats with wings' in UK urban environments.
 
This is so very typical of Nick's warped sense of humour while no doubt having some underlying academic significance as well.
 
He occasionally used my bass forum for his research purposes and he last logged in the very day that he passed away.  I remember the last time we were together, we were driving up to one of the annual forum get-togethers and we were laughing so hard at our flights of silliness that I had to take extra care in driving.  
 
I'm pleased to say that at least one research student of Nicks will continue to be involved with the forum and it seems a fitting legacy as the student has also indicated he's interested in taking up bass guitar.
 
I'm thinking also particularly of Nick's wife, Maria as well.  They were devoted to one another and I can't begin to imagine what she must have been coping with over the last couple of weeks.
 
RIP Nick, I feel your loss keenly.  I will miss our enlightening and stimulating chats and your particular brand of Italian lunacy.

Steve,
My sincere condolences. Thoughts and prayers with Maria and friends.  
Art

root 5 root 5 - forever may he play on . . .

Sounds like he was a very remarkable man who left the world much too soon. May God's blessings and grace be with his family and friends during this time of sadness.

Steve                                           My condolences to you and Maria the rest of his family and friends. Even though I did not know him personally, all on this forum seem to be friends even if you never meet them. So it is a loss to all of us. It appears he was quite intelligent so it is not only a loss to the Bass community but to the Academic community as well.
He will be missed by many.
Will

On no... Another Alembician (and a great human being) passing away...
 
My thoughts are with him and the ones that loved (and still love) him.

Gosh, sorry to hear that. I remember him as a very happy and cheerful chap when I went to get my Europa from  him and his wife is a lovely lady. He actually let me play his series II bass too.
 
Sad news indeed.
 
Jazzyvee

Sincerest condolences at this sad time for Nick and his loved ones - god bless!
 
John.

Best wishes to all at this sad time.
 
George

My thoughts and condolences to Nicolas family and friends.
Michael

Wow he was only 33 years old...........that's too young!!!

Yes, only 3 years older than me... It makes me think about certain things in my life...
 
If there is an other side, may it be filled with love, peace, and custom made Alembics for Nicola.

WOW this is truly a sad thing. My condolences to his entire family and my prayers go out to them.
 
OO