Tag Archives: obituary

RIP, James Gunn

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James Gunn

James Gunn (1923-2020) passed away on December 23 from congestive heart failure. I apologize for the lateness of this post. I was mostly offline over the Christmas holidays, and I didn’t see the news until recently.  Adrian Simmons wrote an excellent tribute over at Black Gate.

I had the privilege of meeting James Gunn twice. The first time was at a meeting of the Science Fiction Research Association. The meeting was held at UNT. This was the summer I transferred from UNT to UTD, and I was till living in Denton. Along with Gunn, Jack Williamson, Fred Pohl, and the de Camps (among others) were in attendance. (It was the only time I would meet Williamson and Pohl).

I had read Star Bridge, a collaboration between Williamson and Gunn a few years before and was eager to meet the authors. Continue reading →

RIP, Ben Bova

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Science fiction author and editor Ben Bova has passed away from COVID related pneumonia and a stroke. Bova was born on in 1932. He was 88. In addition being the author of a number of series (Grand Tour, Sam Gunn, Orion, among others) Bova had the unenviable task of assuming the editorship of Analog after the death of John W. Campbell, Jr.

Bova’s fiction tended to be hard science fiction, although he wrote quite a bit of humorous sf. He will be missed. Futures Past and Present extends condolences to his family and friends.

Rest in Peace, Leonard Nimoy 1931-2015

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SpockThe news media is reporting that Leonard Nimoy has passed away.  He was 83.  In spite of other roles, he will forever be remembered as Spock on the original Star Trek.

I was a fan of the original ST, although I had to catch the shows in reruns at odd times when I was growing up.  I’m not sure I’ve seen all of the episodes.  I did read the James Blish novelizations when I was in 5th and 6th grades.

Spock was always my favorite character on the show.  I went through a mild phase where I tried to model myself on him by not displaying emotions and using only logic.  That didn’t last long.  I’ve no Vulcan blood.

Rest in peace, Mr. Nimoy.  You lived long and prospered.