 HALL OF MEMORYREMEMBERING ERB FANS WHO HAVE GONE BEYOND THE FARTHEST STAR
Life is a wonderful thing, and perhaps more wondrous when it is shared with others. The memorials on this page are to honor fellow Edgar Rice Burroughs fans who have passed away. Though they are no longer with us, their legacy of goodwill and knowledge has enriched us immeasurably. |
This is a shocker, kiddies. My last conversation with Dan ended about about 8:pm (California time) on the 30th of April.
At that time he gave out the following info, which I posted to the major ERB listservs:
Just got off the phone with Dan Burroughs (4/30/2008, 10:pm Central). News:
1. There was a fire at the Burroughs home. Confined to one room, with the loss of many art examples by John Coleman Burroughs. The room is known as the "Marble Room" and has been displayed to fans over the years. Daughter Dejah (22) was instrumental in keeping the damage confined: "Dad, are you barbecuing?" Daughter Jane (24) helped go through the aftermath, saving as many items as possible. NO ONE WAS INJURED. I failed to get the exact date of the fire, but must have been within the last few days. Estimated loss is several hundred thousand dollars in Burroughs related material and personal collection of other items and artifacts by Dan Burroughs. Currently dealing with insurance adjusters.
2. Danton Burroughs is now (as of today) President and Chairman of the Board for Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. Sandra Galfas is no longer with the company. Dan intends to be hands on. We wish him all good results in that effort. He mentioned a renewed determination by the company to continue protecting the Tarzan trademark, and to extending that cover as needed and where possible.
3. The venuspiratemovie (as has been reported on the web) is dead. That company failed to renew. Venus (and other properties) have been submitted to another major motion picture company (am not at liberty to be more specific during these negotiations).
4. Dan has, according to his doctors, inherited his grandfather's heart--having recently suffered a minor heart attack. He is doing well, though his Parkinson's has advanced. Mr. Burroughs has been invited to participate in a special medical test group regarding Parkinsons. He gave me some specifics, which I will research and report on later.
This information can be disseminated. Hillie, you were specifically named as a recipient of this news.
I will update soonest with more... meanwhile, here's some info I think you all will find interesting!
The "interesting" is that Dan agrees with me that CAVE GIRL, MAD KING and ETERNAL LOVER are the best movie choices out there...if only the production companies can see that!
My notes from that conversation were a little inaccurate: Dan was made Chairman of the Board and Secretary/Treasurer, though a new President had also been sworn in. In general, Danton was in good spirits, though understandably distraught at the fire damage. At the time it seemed like yet another of our conversations where Dan was fighting alligators and the swamp was waist deep...
Now he is gone.
We have lost a good friend who knew and understood fandom. We talked of many things over the years, speaking by phone about once a month since 1998--he never did learn email and wasn't looking forward to it. In fact, he said, "they are going to make me learn email" during our last conversation. His enthusiasm for his grandfather's works, the fans and friends made, the on-going battles with production companies and failures to get HIS pet projects realized (Barsoom, Cave Girl, Eternal Lover), the constant struggle with Parkinsons...we never ran out of things to discuss!
I will miss this man more than I can say.
I've spoken to ERB Inc...
They are devastated, of course. Dan had been working for the company since 1972 and his recent appointment as Chairman of the Board was not only feather in the cap, but recognition of his hard work over the years. Please send all cards and condolences to the Danton Burroughs Family to the ERB Inc office. They will make sure the family receives them.
EDGAR RICE BURROUGHS, INCThe phones are ringing off the wall at the moment, but I am including the phone number for completion of contact info:
(818) 344-0181Early Report from Joe Musso:
I have some other sad news, if you haven't heard already. Ralph Herman just call earlier to tell me that Danton Burroughs was found dead this morning by his wife. On Tuesday, a fire broke out in the new addition to his home under the former overhang. He was storing a lot of his collection of gold watches, valuable marbles and family pictures in it. The room was completely destroyed, but the fireman saved the rest of his home. His brother was thrown back when they opened the door, but wasn't injured. Danton went to the doctors yesterday and was given a heart monitor. He seemed fine Wednesday night, but mentally had to be terribly concerned (and depressed) over the loss of his collection. The frames were still on the wall, but the pictures in them were all destroyed.
When I learn more, I'll let you know and stay well.
Just saw this today. It’s very sad. It’s hard to say more than that too. He was far too young and had been suffering a lot already.
Deeply saddened to learn of Danton's passing. Whether we were in frequent contact with him, like Tangor and Bill Hillman, or occasional contact, as I was, or never met him at all, the Burroughs Bibliophiles have lost a good friend. He will be sorely missed.
This is truly heartbreaking news. My deepest sympathies go out to his family and friends. He was a great man and I loved the chats that I had with him over the last few years. I'll never forget my first meeting with him.
Bill, if possible please let us know of any memorial service and anywhere that we can send flowers and/or cards.
This has been a bad year for me losing friends. One was Charlton Heston and now Danton. May both rest in peace and may God take them by the hand and show them His glory. I miss you both. Smooth Sailing my friend!
This is very sad and shocking news. The horrible lingering death from Parkinsons was not to be preferred, but there was so much hope on the horizon for treatment. Danton was an enthusiastic friend and supporter of ERB fandom for so many years, it is hard to think that he is gone. He was always happy to talk to us about Burroughsian activities and interests. He kept the doors open for visits and was always cordial. He enjoyed our excitement and "mania" about his illustrious grandfather and his creations.
ERB fandom has lost an important supporter and we have lost a friend.
My condolences to his family.
Simply tragic news.
Danton was a good friend.
My condolences to his family.
Before I could boot up the computer this morning, I received a phone call from Bob Barrett with the sad news of Danton's death. We talked for a few minutes but we were both so choked up, we had to end the call. When I hung up, I was hard pressed to hold back the tears, I felt like I had lost a son.
This beyond belief.
What next?
Sad sad news
I am very sorry to hear that Danton Burroughs has left us. I always admired him, and hoped to meet him at a Dum-Dum someday. He seemed quite young. This shows how we need to find a cure for Parkinson's because it is a killer of good men.
This is really very terrible news. He was a super good guy.
I am very saddened to learn of his death. I always viewed him as a direct link to ERB and his world. Now that llink has been severed. A truly human individual.
This really is sad news for all ERB fans -- sad news, and a personal loss for all of us.
He will be missed.
May his memory be blessed, and may his family be comforted.
Way too young to pass on, he will be missed.
I want to add to all the others that I too am very sorry to hear of Danton's passing today. I never had the chance to meet the man. I had thought about going to California to visit Tarzana and to have that chance to meet Danton.
I hope that some of those who knew him will be sharing their recollections of him. I know I for one would like to learn more about Danton-and his family. I don't even know if he leaves behind any spouse or children.... I think it's important to the whole Edgar Rice Burroughs legacy to keep Danton's memory alive.
To fans today, Danton Burroughs was the closest we could come to Edgar Rice Burroughs himself.
He loved his grandfather and the characters and worlds his grandfather created, and that love showed in the way he devoted his life to serving Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc., and in the way he interacted with the many fans of his grandfather's imaginative works.
He was enthusiastic, he was a friend of the fans, and he went beyond mere businesslike cordiality by visiting fan conventions and spending time talking with individuals and by inviting fans into the ERB Inc. office and his home.
To us of this generation, losing Danton can perhaps be likened to the experience of an earlier generation, which one day found out it had lost the master himself.
I had opportunities to visit with Danton at two ERB conventions, the ECOF of 1989 and a Dum-Dum about a decade later. If Danton were alive today, I'm not sure if he would remember me specifically, since he reached out to many fans, and I was more of a "face in the crowd," although I did have opportunities to talk with him personally and in groups.
At both of those conventions, Danton invited the fans to his home. It was an adventure, following directions and finding it at the end of that side street, and then even finding a good place to park in the dark!
Danton's home was like a museum of pop culture, with Burroughs items and other things throughout the house, seemingly in every nook and cranny. It was fun to be there with fellow ERB fans, sitting on a couch or bar stool or standing around and looking around, talking with one another and savoring the experience.
Danton would often be over at a doorway in the corner, a doorway which led to an inner sanctum, and he would be bringing out some rare items one by one for the appreciative oohs and aahs of whoever who get close enough to see.
Or, Danton might join others on the couches, arranged around a TV set, on which an ERB documentary was playing.
The first time I visited, my wife, Peggy, was with me, and we left relatively earlier. Later, I read the accounts of others in ERBapa and found out the evening ended with just about everyone being able to take a ride on Danton's official Tarzan rope swing out back!
The second time I visited, my wife decided to stay in the motel and so I stayed later, but never did have a ride on that swing! Still, it was a great time.
It is such a sad thing that Danton's life came to an end so unexpectedly. That's what death does -- it interrupts our wonderful lives and takes wonderful people away from us.
It seems sometimes as if life will go on just the way things are now, and then we are reminded about the fragility of life. May it motivate us to appreciate each other all the more while we still have each other.
My deepest condolences to Danton's family, to those who worked with him at ERB Inc., and to my fellow fans.
Please pass on my condolences as well. Though I had never met him, I remember seeing videos of him at Bill Ross' house and felt he would have been a great fellow to be around. What a blow to the family, the company and to the fans. I am truly saddened.
My father is dying of Parkinson's slowly and with some degree of misery, being completely immobile and yet dreaming he can still walk and run...it gets tough. So I'm glad, on the one hand, that Danton Burroughs was spared that. But of course this sudden, unexpected, and shocking passing is not the alternative any of us wanted and it sounded as if he had plenty of fight and good years left.
With Wayne's passing, this has indeed been a difficult several weeks.
Our sincere condolences and prayers go out for the family. What a very sad loss. He really was a very nice guy.
blessings, Amar
Hello, Bruce / Tangor,
I know how much the passing of Danton Burroughs means to you personally and also to the rest of ERB-List. My heart goes out to the family and to those who must carry on at Tarzana for Danton's tragic and unexpected death. As a tribute to Danton, it is up to those of us on this list to see that his view of his grandfather, as a person and as an author, is passed on to the next generation of readers and believers in the ERB Mystic. I never met him personally, but I had heard about him from you and read about him on your site and Bill's site. I know about his love for his family and for his grandfather. He will be missed by all of us.
My wife & I met Danton at the 2003 Dum Dum and though we spoke very little he remembered my name and was very gracious. He looked a lot like his grandfather and it felt like I was in a way corresponding with Ed himself. Hopefully there will be another of his family that has the desire Danton had for preserving his father and grandfathers works and making them available to the public like Danton did. Please pass on our heartfelt condolences to his family!
A terrible loss. I am so saddened by this. Danton was so gracious to the fans. I gave him a brick paver with his name engraved on it at the Louisville Dumdum several years ago, and learned that he collects bricks. He responded with a gift of an envelope from ERB's personal stationery.---I have it framed with a photo of the two of us in my library. Danton remembered his grandfather---he was around six when Ed passed. Could it be that Danton was the last person alive who personally knew ERB? Truly the end of an era. Danton will be so missed by us all. My sincere condolences to his family.
I never met Dan in person but had a few phone conversations. A great guy that I wished I'd known better. I'm very sad about this.
I came home late last night after seeing off a friend who is emigrating to Australia. My answerphone was flashing and it was Frank Westwood calling to give me the sad news. I had been busy all day at work and not had chance to read my personal email.
I met Dan on my first trip to the U.S. back in 1981. I had just witnessed the first space shuttle lift off and it was while I was flying over to California when it landed. Danton was still on a high having marvelled at the way it just glided in for a safe touchdown. I cannot recall how long I visited him that day but the memory of how open he was to fans of his grandfathers work is still fresh.
Last year I went to the European Premiere of the musical stage show of Tarzan. I went at the invite of Dan who was unable to travel at the time because his medication had had an adverse effect on him. I was given Dan's seat and sat next to Jim Sullos - the now newly elected President of ERB Inc. I called Dan upon my return to give him my overwhelming support for the show. He was delighted and told me to keep in touch. Unfortunately I had not called him since.
I have been fortunate to have met Dan several times over the years. He once asked if I was independently wealthy to be able to afford so many trips across the pond. I have been at the offices of ERB Inc. and in his home on a number of occasions and have seen his two daughters grow up. They are memories I will treasure.
The one thing about Danton was that he remained close to the fans. He appreciated our loyal following and his door was always open.
What I find the really sad part of his passing beyond missing a fine person and a friend to us all is that he was the last direct family link we had with his grandfather. While there are other male members of the family that will carry the name through generations to come, Dan will always be the one closest to us and be the one we will most remember.
Goodbye Dan, it was an honour and a privilege to know you.
This is horrible news... very sad indeed. My own grandfather passed away from smoke inhalation while trying to stop a fire in his home, so the circumstances really hit home. I regret never having had the chance to meet Danton -- everyone always said what a wonderful person he was. My condolences to his family.
I'm very sorry to hear this sad news. I send my sincere condolences to the family.
Danton apparently had a heart attack not long after a fire destroyed one room of his house (called The "Watch Room") which destroyed many of his precious artifacts, including some of his father's paintings. I'm not sure yet about exactly what was lost. This was supposed to be a triumphant week for Danton because he'd been made Chairman of the Board of ERB, Inc and had many new plans for the company.
Sky put into words what I've been trying to find a way to express.
I found this paragraph in a source book of wisdom:
"I firmly believe that if you follow a path that interests you, not to the exclusion of love, sensitivity and cooperation with others, but with the strength of your conviction that you can move others by your own efforts, and do not make success or failure the criteria by which you live, the chances are you'll be a person worthy of your own respect."
- Neil Simon, playwright
I believe Danton was worthy of the respect of many people.
I never had the chance to meet Danton and was shocked by his passing. My condolences to his family.
Although I never had the privilage to meet or speak with Danton Burroughs, I felt I knew him through our shared love of ERB's creations, and his sharing of family history and photos. It was like being near ERB, himself. I am so sorry he did not live to see the John Carter movie completed, just as it was getting off the ground. Seems like if it is completed, it should be dedicated to his memory for his efforts. I know we have lost a valuable friend, and I hope someone in the family or at ERB, Inc., will pick up the torch, and continue his work so that what he has accomplished will not be lost. My deepest sympathy to his family.
I was sorry to learn of the passing of Danton Burroughs. Like most on the list, I was never privileged to meet Mr. Burroughs but from what I have heard from those who have, he was truly a gentleman of the old school—the sort his grandfather set up as the model we should all emulate. We are all poorer for his loss.
My deepest sympathy to his family
I was fortunate enough to have met Danton at the 2003 Dum-Dum in Louisville. We had just seen the pilot for the WB's Tarzan series and were milling around the Burroughs Memorial Collection. Danton was very interested in folks' reaction to the film - he was particularly concerned that Travis Fimmel may have come across as too pretty or baby-faced (my words) for Tarzan. He was very open and affable. I came away from our discussion with the impression that he was a regular guy, aware of the importance and power of the ERB legacy; receptive to and respectful of the viewpoints of fans.
I am very sad of the passing of Danton. I met him at the Dum-Dum 2003 in Louisville, Kentucky. We also went dining with other Bibliophile friends over there and he was to me like an old friend I've known for a long time.
My condolences to the family.
member of the Burroughs Bibliophiles
Austria
Danton was a gentleman, to be sure. I called him many times over the years about the APOM film, during its times at various production companies. He was always excited about the project, and desperately wanted the best for it.
Whoever enjoys the privelege of creating Barsoom on film should remember this man and his family's legacy in the realms of imagination.
I was only a desperate screenwriter with a script for "A Princess of Mars," and yet he went out of his way several times to connect me to people associated with the production. We both knew that this unorthodox method of trying to get a script in there probably wouldn't pay off, but he still encouraged me to keep trying.
I didn't really deserve Danton's attention, but he always took my calls and I felt that he valued me as a dreamer and appreciator of his grandfather's work. This whippersnapper will have treasured memories of a uniquely understanding and patient man in the entertainment business...
Shirley and I have been gone for the last two weeks and I have been unable to access my computer. I was shocked and saddened to hear of Danton Burroughs passing. He was a fun guy and will be greatly missed. He was always cordial to fans whether at a DumDum or at Burroughs Inc. My wife and I had visited ERB Inc. a number of years ago when Tarzan, The Epic Adventures was playing on TV. Danton showed us all the action figures prototypes and art work for the figures as well as the packaging artwork. One never leaves empty handed at ERB, Inc. as Danton always had a poster or something for visitors. I have a nice photo of Danton and myself taken at his house at the last Tarzana DumDum. I was fortunate enough to have him autograph it at the previous Louisville DumDum he attended. Our prayers and condolences go out to the family.
There are no good times to report the passing of a friend, but there are good memories and celebration for having known them. Wayne E James and his wife Edie brought quiet joy to fan conventions at Dum Dum and ECOF, and for his charming presence on the listservs ERBList and ERBCOF-L. Wayne joined ERBList quite some time ago then fairly quickly joined ERBCOF-L. Tintin, as he was known among ERB fans, was an avid videographer and through his personal effort and expense, recorded many events, for which we who could not attend, are grateful.
I was not aware Wayne was having health problems until I received this email on March 30, 2008:
Hi All,
I had my second of three surgeries last Monday. It was more involved that they had expected, but all went well. They have finally decided that infection was not the cause of the cement around the prosthesis eroding, which allowed it wobble. They are not sure what it was, but they believe that my body rejected that cement and they are going to be trying another. The first operation left me with a wire/cement/antibiotic spacer. This time the put in a temporary prosthesis with cement and antibiotic. The last operation, on May 29th, should be the new replacement prosthesis.
This surgery was somewhat harder on me than the last as they did more work in there and they used a syringe to extract bone morrow from my hip to put in my arm. Now I have a sore hip as well as a sore arm. I am still in a sling and have been applying ice packs liberally to the arm, but I am not on any external antibiotics, so no IV or pills this time around. I am just taking Tylenol for pain. They also did not staple me, but rather sewed me up this time. I tire easily and have spent most of this week in bed watching DVDs and listening to CDs. I hope to recover as fast as last time and return to work for a month before the next surgery.
And then after the third surgery, good as new? No, but better than when this started last year.
Thanks for all your well wishes, thoughts, and prayers.
Wayne
Sunday, April 6, I find this shocker in my inbound from Edie James (as forwarded by Bill Hillman):
My Dear Bill and Sue-on,
This is a time of deep sorrow for me and I would like to ask that you share this news with our many ERB friends as I am quite lost.
Wayne had the second of three surgeries on March 24TH and was doing quite well considering what he has gone through. His left arm was causing much pain and that is when the doctors felt the surgery was necessary.
On Friday, April 4TH he called me at work and told me he was having indigestion and would I stop and pick up some tums for him. When I got home I found him on the bathroom floor. The paramedics said he must have collapsed between the time he called ma and the time I got home and that the indigestion he had been experiencing was the onset of the heart attack.
I am not dealing very well with this so your prayers would be greatly appreciated.
Services will be Saturday, April 12TH, in Colorado Springs. Take care of each other.
Love,
Edie James
Over the years Wayne and I had many emails, shared books, comics, films, real and electronic. He was always good for a new look at things, immensely generous, likeable to an extreme. To his wife and family my deepest condolences. There will be a time of regret and lament, yet it will not consume us—for his memory is so much more powerful that that grief cannot last. Bye bye, Tintin!
TANGOR (David Bruce Bozarth)
Ginnie and I are so sorry. It’s hard to know what to say at times like these except to say that Edie has our support and, yes, our prayers. We have lost a brother fan.
I will never forget the image of Wayne setting up his tripod and video camera at every Dum-Dum or ECOF he attended and then graciously recording the proceedings for the benefit of all interested parties. Because of him there will be a record of those events.
Thanks, Wayne, and good luck to you up there in those upper terraces…
For once I am at a loss for words. Our hearts go out to Edie in this difficult time for her, and the entire BB family feels the loss.
We'll miss you, Tintin -- and I'll miss the great conversations, both via e-mail and in person. He was far too young.
My dear Edie: I cannot express how deeply saddened I am by the passing of your beloved Wayne. He is a loss to us who were counted among his somewhat distant friends. That your shock and grief is obviously many times deeper moves me to express to you how much I care about you as you go forward in his absence. I know it will be a tangible emptiness for some time to come. As time goes by, the gap does dissipate but Wayne will always be a part of your life. You are very much in my prayers.
Much love to you and yours, DJ
Dear Edie -
I'm so sorry to hear about this... We loved Wayne and will certainly be praying for your family. All the best, and God bless.
This is terrible and so sad. I met Wayne and Edie during the Dum Dums. What a happy, positive couple. Always cheerful. Everyone loved Wayne and Edie. It just seems to me you can say one name without the other.
Wayne was a wonderful, wonderful person. You could tell he was a much loved man. It is fortunate that we can observe so much of his life that is preserved on the Hillman website.
This is so unexpected because he was so young and always seem so full of life. I cannot begin to understand what Edie is feeling.
Certainly our prayers are with her.
Kaor, Edie, if you are reading this, Linda and I send our condolences and deepest sympathies. A card will follow. We have lost a great friend and a great ERB fan.
Friends, I don't know if Edie will be reading messages from the list, at least not immediately. In the meantime, I suggest you also send her your sympathies by mail at 1 1 1 4 M a y t e n T r e e C t . , H e m e t , C A 9 2 5 4 5 .
Wayne was a great human being. He will be sorely missed. Just a gentlemen in every respect.
This is such a shock and so sad. Wayne was a happy, positive, outgoing guy with great energy. We never know the time or the place. . .
Thanks for sending us the address, Jim, I'm sure I've misplaced it. I'll send a card.
Dear Edie, my deepest sympathy. . .
Very sad
I always looked forward to seeing both Wayne and Edie at Dum Dums, the last time was in Rockville in 06 when my wife and I had breakfast with both of them there.
I'm terribly sorry and both my wife Yoko and I offer our heartfelt condolences to Edie.
I agree with Billy below that he was a wonderful man and half of a very wonderful and always cheerful couple. All the friends he had will indeed miss him.
Jim Hadac
Brookfield, IL
Dear Edie,
Sally and I are so stunned with this sad news. Ours hearts go out to you and we will be praying for you. God Bless and comfort you.
This is such a shock, and I'm so sorry and still in disbelief.
I never met Wayne, but having just gotten back into fandom in the past couple of years, Wayne was one of the first people on this list to help me out with Tarzan films, comic strips, and just general correspondence. He was thoughtful, generous, and sharing, and I always perked up when I saw he had posted something. He just recently sent me something, a matter of weeks ago, and I sent him several things....I always think of him when I have something to share. It's just very hard to conceive of not doing that, that he's not there.
I'm so very sorry to hear about this, and my my heart heavy for you and us all. Your family is in my prayers.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to Edie in this time of grief through the loss of her soul mate. It was a great shock to hear of Wayne's death, not realizing he had been ill and in hospital for surgery. He will certainly be missed by all Burroughs' fandom.
Joan and Pete
Wayne James Tribute Site
Photo Gallery and Condolences
http://www.erbzine.com/mag21/2160.html
Mangani,
Wayne always seemed to have an unpretentious touch of class about him. His passing was untimely -- far too soon -- and he leaves a good name behind him Heartfult condolences to his dear wife Edie.
Hadron.
Edie, Our prayers and sincere condolences to you. Wayne truly was dearly loved and will be missed by all. May our Lord hold you in His Loving arms during this time.
Amar and Lou
When it comes to feelings, my knowledge of the English language fails; therefore in my own, the Frisian:
Hiel bysunder, hiel gewoan.
gewoan in hiel bysunder minske.
Dit slacht der yn.
Ik bin alhiel ferslein troch dit neis.
Troch myn skriuwen my him wie ik him dochs wat nijer as de measte oaren.
Mien tinken is no ek bei syn frou. Wat in gemis moat sy fjilje.
En sa jong noch.
Wayne, we sille dy misse.
Edie, ik winskje dy alle sterkte ta de kommende tiid.
Metten.
Some of us with European backgrounds remember that Wayne may have chosen Tintin, from a lovely character (originally Belgian, albeit comic) which as children we read, along with any bootleg copies of the English “Jane” comics we could get. “Tintin” may well be short for tintinnabulation or “a ringing or sounding of bells” (Webster’s). As in the lovely Christmas traditional movie, Wayne certainly has gotten his angel wings………..
Edie, we all will miss him and will be there for you if needed. Wayne sure was a help to many people and you both were, and are, generous with your time and talent. I was delighted to entertain you folks for lunch in my home during our 2006 Dum-Dum.
With sympathetic support,
Quaestor
(JT2)
Edie:
Many fond memories of both you and Wayne. Our prayers are with you at this trying time.
The first time we met was at your home in Colorado Springs. Tantor came down from Denver and we had a great chat. There was at least one other time I visited you there before you moved.
My favorite was when you visited Las Vegas. My Princess and I drove down to Circus-Circus to pick you guys up to go to our place for dinner. What a mob scene in the lobby when we got there. Didn't know if we'd ever find you. But we did, and had a nice visit at our place. The drive back to Circus-Circus was much easier. Then our brief chats and the hike up the mountain in Tarzana at ERBCOF 2002. These are the memories I will cherish for ever.
Mors Kajak
I know Wayne only through snail mail and e-mail but certainly enjoyed a fine exchange with him from time to time as we shared information and some ERB-related philatelic items.
Edie, please accept my deepest symathies and be assured of my prayers for you in this time of deep loss. May you receive comfort from the God of all comfort and from your family and friends.
May you be blessed and strengthened by each caring word that comes your way, as well as by your wonderful memories.
Very sincerely,
John "Bridge" Martin
I am in shock. Wayne was such a neat guy. He graciously shared ERB items with me that I needed, and was so friendly at the Dumdums where I was lucky enough to make the in-person acquaintance of Tintin and the beauteous Kat Balouche. Edie, words are never adequate in these times. Just know that time is, indeed, a great healer, and that you have a world-wide support group willing to help you---just ask. With highest condolences,
Bob and Becky Hibbard
I am very sadden to hear of Wayne's passing. He was a great man and I love chatting with him via e-mail and he was always a great help with suggestions and he had sent some wonderfully beautiful links when I was working on Tarzan.
Edi, you're in my thoughts and prayers. I'm sure I speak for all of us, if you need anything, we'll be there for you.
David
Wayne was a gentleman among ERB fans, always willing to help collectors and scholars, materially and intellectually, with little regard to cost to himself. The news saddens me. My deepest sympathies to Edie, whom I have never met but for whom I offer up a prayer of comfort. -- Woola
Oh! Yes, I remember him, and know his posts. I am sorry to hear that we have lost a fellow ERB fanatic.
So sorry and we are definitely praying for you and your family. God be with you.
I always enjoyed running into and/or hanging out with Wayne and Edie at the conventions.
Edie, I'm so sorry for your loss.
Steve Wadding
Dear Edie,
Our sincere condolences to you and your family.
The last couple of days were very excited for me; I was busy planning a vacation to LA. I sent an email to Wayne so that he was aware that we are coming. As it was such a busy period of planning this weekend I did not read any ERBLIST or ERBCOF emails and oversee this tragedy.
I had hoped to meet Wayne (and you) when we are in LA as we always had a good contact but never had the chance to meet each other.
I am sure we all will miss him ...
So sorry to hear of Wayne James "Tintin"'s passing. I have enjoyed his posts on this list and will miss him and them.
Tavia
Edie, my thoughts and prayers are with you. I know your pain all too well. It's been 7 years since Ed died and it will get easier, eventually.
Please remember your ERB family will never forget Wayne.
Another bright star in our ERB universe has dimmed.
Joan
Dear Edie and all of Wayne and Edie's friends and family:
It is such a shock to read of Wayne's untimely passing. Such a shock that someone so kind and generous is no longer with us.
My earliest and most lasting memories of Wayne and Edie come from the first time I ever attended a Burroughs gathering. It was in Oak Park in 2005 and I was fresh off the bus (so to speak) and they were very warm and welcoming. They were very kind and made sure the the newbie fit in during the weekend.
I spoke to Wayne by phone not long after the move to California, he said I should join the list and keep up with my new found friends. I put it off, as we all do, until just recently. It with such sadness that I have read these messages today. My deepest sympathies and condolences to Edie and all who knew Wayne
Denny and I are always impressed and warmed by the camaraderie of the ERB group. It has always felt like family. So, when we loose a member of this family it is a great loss to us all. We have so many fond memories of our times with Wayne and Edie.Tthey will always be part of us. We will keep them in our hearts and thoughts! Our love to Edie.
I am saddened to hear about Wayne's passing. His family will be in my prayers.
Vandor
Sorry to learn about Wayne. I sent a card to Edie about Wayne's unfortunate passing.
Dearest Edie,
Shirley and I were to deeply saddened to hear of Wayne's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families. I had just exchanged Emails with Wayne a few weeks ago and he Emailed me a Tarzan Sunday comic strip I was missing. Wayne will be remembered as the Unofficial Video Chronicler of the DumDum and ECOF gatherings. Wayne will be missed by us all.
Love & Hugs
POSTED TO ERBCOF-L Monday, June 12, 2006:
Hello,
This is Robert B. Cook, Jr., and I'm very sorry to have to relay the very sad news that my father, Robert Sr., died unexpectedly this afternoon, Monday June 12, 2006.
I'm home from New York on vacation, having just arrived Saturday June 10, and we had had a very nice breakfast this morning. Later this morning we took my father, who had lost a leg due to diabetes, to his Rehabilitation facility where he did exercises to try to regain mobility with the goal of his one day being able to walk on his prosthesis with just a cane.
He had to abbreviate his exercises as he felt quite out of breath. We had planned to stop for lunch on the way home, but my mother thought we should get him home to take his Lasics, a diuretic medication, to absorb the fluid in his lungs which was causing his difficulty in breathing. As we drove home, he started to get his breath back and so we stopped briefly so I could run an errand. When I returned to the car he said he felt much better and he decided he wanted to resume our plans to stop for lunch.
We had a very nice lunch, which he enjoyed and he seemed himself, although he remarked that the coughing fit had taken quite a bit out of him. As we ended our lunch, he excused himself and rolled himself in his wheelchair to go the the bathroom. After he seemed to have been gone longer than necessary, I went to see about him. He was inside the bathroom, but once again seemed to be having trouble breathing.
We left and my mother asked him if he felt well enough to go home or whether he felt he needed to go to the emergency room. He indicated he felt well enough to go home, where my mother, a retired nurse, would administer his Lasics and then take his blood pressure. However, as we drove toward home, his breathing became more labored and when we arrived in the driveway, my mother asked me to run into the house and bring back the blood pressure cuff. When I came back outside, she said there was no time for that, and she asked me to call 911.
He seemed by this time to have lost full awareness of his surroundings, but his eyes were opening and closing and he was breathing and had a pulse. By the time the EMTs arrived--within moments--he seemed to have lost all consciousness, but they reported he retained a pulse. They moved him swiftly into their truck to transport him to the local emergency room.
We arrived there ourselves within 10 minutes or so, and while we were in the room with him as the doctors worked on him, he passed away. The doctor agreed with my mother's supposition that the cause of death was congestive heart failure.
My father was born July 20, 1928, and he would have been 78 years of age next month.
You can reply to my email (in the CC field above) [edited: cook1475 at COMCAST.NET] if you wish me to relay any messages to my mother, Peggy Cook. Thank you.
Robert Cook, Jr.
I am so sorry to hear your father passed today. Having lost my father not too many years ago after a long illness, I have some feeling for the grief, and perhaps relief.
Give your mom a hug. Not from me, from you. She will need you now and I know you will be there, this I can say from the way you aided your father this last year by helping to maintain communications with his Edgar Rice Burroughs friends.
I host erb-list, the other ERB listserv that your father was a member of at one time. I also have a Hall of Memory website for ERB fans who have passed away. May I have permission to include your email announcement as part of the memorial I will post regarding your father?
I knew your father only via email, but he was a gent and pretty smart feller. I will miss him!
Robert's reply, granting permission, contained a statement that produced a smile in these sad hours: "Ironically, when my mother and I arrived home after leaving my father's body at the hospital, the latest issue of ERBania was in the mail for him."
I am deeply saddened to hear of my friend's passing! Pray accept my sincerest symphathies and condolencs.
Bob was a great friend, and wild eyed Edgar Rice Burroughs fan! I met him online in late 1996, and we shared many private e-mails. Later I joined ERB-APA, and Bob gave me sage advice and encouragement. He was always just "Cookie the Wazirian" to me as we were never very formal. One reason I really enjoyed his correspondence!
I felt like a close relative to Bob, and I will miss greatly! 'Tis a sad in thge world of ERB today!
I share your grief, and just wish I could have been there to do something to help. It was not to be for me. I have many of his e-mails to me, which I will be reading over the next week.
You all will be in my prayers for strength during the funeral process.
I am saddened to hear the news. Your father was a fighter from what I have read and I am sorry not to have met him. My thoughts are prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. Luckily, as even ERB hoped, there are other worlds than this.
Our deepest sympathies to you and your family. We enjoyed seeing your Dad at Dum-Dums and reading his informative e-mail comments.
The last correspondence we received from your dad expressed his words of sympathy for the recent passing of his friend Bob Hyde:
"I know you all will miss him, such a grand fellow. I will miss knowing he is not somewhere on the same planet with me and will look forward to seeing him again, one day. ~ Bob Cook, The Wazirian"
Our ERB family have lost another friend. . . and grand fellow. We will miss the Wazirian. Our deepest sympathies to you and the family.
We are all saddened to hear your news.
I met your father and spoke with him at several of the Dum-Dums, and his love for ERB was obvious every time we met.
I, and many others, will miss his contributions to the extended family of ERB friends.
Deepest condolences.
I was saddened by the news of your father's passing. I never met your Dad, but enjoyed his questions and comments to the Burroughs' list to give us all food for thought.
Our deepest sympathies to your family.
Deeply saddened to learn of Bob's premature passing. Enjoyed knowing him and sharing thoughts in the APA, as well as over a succession of dinners whenever we met at Worldcons or Dum-dums.
Our ranks continue to thin too fast -- "Wazirian", you will be missed!
My prayers and thoughts go out to you and your family. I never met your father but had great respect for him
Robert-- Please accept my condolences along with those of your Dad's extended ERB family. I did not have the pleasure of meeting him, but I enjoyed his many posts. He is at peace now--You will heal with the passage of time (it is a blessing of the human condition that we cannot remember pain). Best,
I'm sorry to hear about "Cookie's" passing. He fought all his woundings and troubles with the heart of a hero and that surely earned him a seat among the best. My condolences to your family.
Phil
Thank you, Bob Jr., for the report. How devastating to you all. We will be missing Bob and his contributions to Burroughsiana. How wonderful that you and your mother and father were able to share those last few hours together. I can only hope the memories will all be good ones, once the shock of loss recedes.
Best to you and your whole family, DJ
My condolences to you and the family. The few times I met with Cookie the Wazirian, it was nice yakking with him. May he rest in peace, and continue on to whatever path he's on. Again, I'm sorry of his passing.
I am sorry to hear of Bob's passing. He was a gentlemen in every respect. At the Texas Dum Dum a few years ago, I had the honor of sitting beside him at the main dinner. He shared many tales of his life with those of us at the table. I will not forget him. I always enjoyed his APA articles.
A one of a kind.
I enjoyed reading Bob Cook's articles in ERBapa and it was nice to meet him in person as well at the Dum-Dum a few years ago in Woodland Hills, Calif.
Earlier that year, a gorilla in a Chicago zoo had made headlines. A small child had fallen into the gorilla grotto, to the horror of the surrounding crowd. However, this female gorilla went over and picked up the child and carried him over to the door that the zookeepers used. The zookeepers were then able to open that door and recover the child, and the child was okay.
Bob was so impressed that he created an award. I believe it was called the Kala Award. And he had a plaque made up with a brief account of what the gorilla had done. Bob was showing the plaque around at the Dum-Dum, as I recall, and may have even gave a short talk about it at the banquet. However, when he later went to the zoo to present the plaque, hoping that it would end up in a place of honor near the gorilla cage, he found that the zoo didn't really want it. I can't remember their exact reasons, but probably had something to do with not wanting to call any more attention to the event. So, Bob did something else with the award and it was put on display elsewhere. I can't remember where. Perhaps at Louisville. Someone on the list will know.
But the point is that he was an ERB fan who took this special action to honor a caring animal with an award named for a caring ERB character.
A great man -- a great fan.
 |
|
From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on-line obituary data base:
HYDE, CLARENCE B. (BOB) |
I just received an e-mail, with the sad news that Bob Hyde died this morning. I am in shock and at a loss for words, he was a good friend of over fifty years. He will be solely missed by everyone.
This is sad news for all of us. Bob was a Gentleman with a Gentleman with a captal G -- I believe that he was respected and liked by all of us, and will be missed and mourned by all who knew him. God rest his soul.
Hadron.Omigosh, I'm sorry to hear about this. I didn't really know Bob very well at all, other than through our letters and meetings at the few Dum-Dums I've attended. He was very helpful when I was trying to rebuild the first edition dust jacket for RETURN. With a wealth of experience and ERB knowledge way beyond anything I'll ever have. One of the men who made ERB fandom a great place to visit. Always friendly in his gruff way with a smile around the edges. A great guy.
May he be watching the moons of Barsoom as they wing their course, and find himself a welcome guest in all the golden cities.
PhilKaor! Burroughs fandom has lost one of its icons and we've all lost a good friend. Bob was generous, loyal, and had a fine sense of humor. I am certain flags will be at half mast in his honor on Barsoom and Amtor, in Pellucidar and Opar, and elsewhere in the Burroughs realm.
Jim
This is sad news. I had tried calling Bob at Christmas because I never received a card from him and wondered if there was anything wrong. It wasn't until the latest ERB-APA arrived in February that we heard that he had indeed been taken ill. I first met Bob at either the 1989 ECOF event in California or the Dum-Dum the following year in Louisville. Either way, I became good friends with him despite how he joked that he could never understand a word I spoke. In more recent years, along with Bill Ross and Mike Conran, we have been annually staying at his home in late April. Vern Coriell appointed Bob Hyde as the President of the Burroughs Bibliophiles and this coming summer he would have been standing for re-election for the first time. I can't speak for the rest of the Board, but I'd like to think that Bob can keep his presidency.
We'll miss you Bob. Cheers
Laurence>This one thing I didn't want to know. I will miss Bob Hyde very much. He was too good of person to leave us so soon. I am shock as you were. May he rest in peace. My condolence goes out to his family. I hope you and everyone else are staying well.
Take care, Tony
>I hate to hear that Bob has died. He was a real gentleman in every respect. One of a kind. It's terribly sad this day to hear of his passing. God be with you, Bob.
DennisI knew Bob Hyde through our membership in ERBapa and met and talked with him at the few conventions I've been able to attend. A class act he was, and just as friendly to novice Burroughs fans as he was to those who grew up reading Burroughs in the pulps.
At an ECOF -- the one in Portland, Oregon, I believ -- Bob had a first edition of "At the Earth's Core" with a copied jacket for sale for about $25-40 (I forget the exact price). That was such a good copy that the jacket looked almost real. But, inside, there was a rubber-stamped notation: This is not the original dust jacket. This is a photocopy of the original." I don't know if that was a rubber stamp that Bob himself had made to use for such occasions, or if it was on the jacket when it came into his hands. However, I appreciated his making sure that a potential purchaser (who turned out to be me) would not be misled about just exactly what that jacket was.
I mentioned Bob Hyde on one of the lists just recently in a discussion about the two Tarzan "Endless Quest"-type books. Bob was indignant about their existence, and said something to me to the effect that "Tarzan can die in these books. But, Tarzan NEVER dies!"
Such was Bob Hyde, a defender of the true Tarzan. No, Tarzan never dies. But, sadly, we do. However, Bob's life of dedication to E.R.B. will go a long way toward assuring the continued truth of his declaration that "Tarzan never dies."
Bridge
I am stunned and saddened to learn of Bob Hyde's passing! I exchanged two or three letters with him, and surprized him with one phone call. I enjoyed reading his articles and thoughts in ERB fanzines, ERB-APA and several other zines!
It is hard to say goodbye to any of the "Old Guard" who pass away Had Bob not helped to start the Burroughs Bibliophiles I would have missed out on a great fan publication.
I have been out of it for over a week. I spent eight days in the local VA hospital as a result of falling down the stairs with a leg infection. So from 30 March through 07 April I have not seen any e-mail. I have well over 3,000 waiting for me. So, I may be commenting on subjects that may seem old to some of you, and thought I would explain why first.
Thanks to all who posted re Bob Hyde. I see he was well loved and respected in the ERB community!!!
Cheers to all!
Erich von GimpI'm saddened by the news of Bob Hydes' passing. I remember the Dum Dum at his home and how impressive his collection was.
More importanly I remember how concerned and kind he was when I was ill a few years back. I will miss him and his quiet ways.
My thoughts are with those that held him as a good friend. We were lucky.
Sincerely,A loss of this gravity is heart rending. Bob was one of the greats in ERB fandom. He was ecstatic over our singing "Happy Birthday" to him at the ECOF in Unionville last year on his 80th birthday, which corresponded with the event. As has been said, a Gentleman with a capital G. My wife, who was also celebrating her birthday as well as helping to host the event, took a back seat to Bob on this occasion. And with no regret.
There are few in our ranks whose knowledge can come close to Bob's. His culture was obvious. I will miss him dearly.
Doug DenbyWe've lost a good friend of ERB and fellow fans. I had no idea Bob had been ill. I have no doubt that Bob and Ed are catching up, which is a comforting thought.
Sadly, I will be adding an entry at the erblist.com Hall of Memory page where the passing of fans is maintained.
Bob Hyde was a GREAT GUY, in every sense of the words. I roomed with him at one of the cons, (Louisville, I believe) and he was full of stories and just plain old good conversation. I haven't seen him in a few years but just knowing he's gone will cause me to miss him and his wry smile. See ya later, Bob.
Bob Cook, The WazirianI am extremely saddened to hear of his passing. Bob, along with Bill Ross, was instrumental in bringing me fully into the ERB thrall once more. I last saw him at Dum Dum 98, and I think I have a photo of Pete and him somewhere. I'll try to dig it out and scan it for Tangor. Bob and I went on an ERB shopping trip at the Unicorn bookstore in Trappe, Maryland around 1995 and it was he who advised me to get my 2nd printing hardcover of Porges. He also made sure I got wind of special deals like the Prince Valiant 1000 edition on special linen paper and an ERB sweatshirt which I still wear occasionally. Lastly, and most important for ERBList, is that is was Bob Hyde who suggested I team up Tarzan and Barnabas Collins in Law of the Jungle, which you can read in the pastiche section. I owe Bob a debt of gratitude and believe, as ERB hoped, that there are other worlds than these, that someday we will meet again.
Jason GridleyBob Hyde was a honoable representative and spokesman for ERB and ERB fandom. I enjoyed his hospitality and his joy of things Burroughs. I had the utmost respect for this man. God speed, Bob.......Tantor
Bob was a great guy. I didn't know him well, but have been to several ECOFs/Dum Dums where he was also in attendance, so we chatted a few times. I'm sure I remember him being given a funny hat made of balloons in a restaurant at one of the gatherings. He was gracious enough to wear it for quite a while. (And no, I'm not thinking of Dick Spargur, who has been forced to where at least one funny hat as Joog, the Giant of Mars.)
Ghak
Just got a call from the Brooklyn Banth with the sad news. Although I hadn't known him as long as Pete had -- only since the 1967 Worldcon --, it was still like getting kicked in the stomach when I heard it.
He will be missed. He was the last of the founding fathers of the Burroughs Bibliophiles, and one of the few to whom the expression "a gentleman and a scholar" truly applied.
Bob, may you find your thoat harnessed, saddled, and waiting to carry you across ever new dead sea bottoms.
HuckI don't have much to add concerning Bob Hyde that others haven't already said, since I palled around with him at the same Cons as the rest of you, but I don't know if my fellow BBs knew that on one of his pilgrimmages to Los Angeles to meet Casper Van Dien in 2001, he took time out of his brief few days here to come to our play, "Dark of the Moon", to support Tasor, Lisi, and me.
Gray Morrow drew Bob in as the villain (from photos of Bob's real-life African safari) in my Sunday story "La's Plight", in which Lisi was drawn as the heroine. I think a picture of Bob, Lisi, and me appeared in one of the Gridley Waves when he met his Sunday strip co-star back at Dum Dum '96.
PassmoreMy brother and I had the good fortune to meet and talk with Bob Hyde at the Newton, Iowa Dum Dum. We both felt that we had spoken with a living legend. Bob had a way of looking into your soul with his bright, piercing eyes. There was definitely an aura about him that radiated an enormous sense of enegry. He had a winning smile, but he seemed to be a man who would not tolerate nonsense. A spirit of genius hovered over him.
Vale, Bob, you were one of the shining lights in this world.
NkimaBob was the first adult ERB fan I ever had contact with, being the BB president in 1963 when I first joined as a teen. A giant in the field--he will not be replaced.
This is very sad news. I was off line all weekend and only now read the news. Bob Hyde was someone with class and tremendous dignity, one of the founding fathers of the BB's, and a nice man on top of it. And that's not to mention that he was also one of the members of "The Greatest Generation"...
I just learned of the passing of Bob Hyde ( I have been out the last few days) on my birthday (April 8). I only came to know Bob about 12 years ago, but I had meet him many years ago when I was with my father at a Science Fiction convention in Pittsburgh. I know that he and my father visited each other and my father always talked very well of Bob.
When my father died he left what was left of the collection with my sister and I , but it remained in my sisters house for a number of years. In the late 1980's I bought my sister out and moved the collection to Texas where it remained in boxes for a few more years.
On day Bob Hyde contacted me, as he learned from my sister that I had the collection. He was looking for some old Sunday Tarzan pages. He offered to come down and go through the collection. I was excited that some one was interested. He came down and spent several days with me going through everything. He told me many things as we opened each box and I filled a note book full of notes about the collection. I may not have ever gotten into to it had it not been for Bob encouraging me. He invited me to the 1993 Dum Dum, my first, and even gave me a few comics he had as duplicates.
We never found the Sunday Tarzan pages, but I made a real friend. Bob also included my wife in everything, as he would written on occasion, and of course we saw hem at each Dum Dum after that. He will be missed by both of us.
S. Bradleigh VinsonI was so sorry to hear about Bob. I've been thinking about going to visit with him. He asked me everytime I saw him. I saw his fantastic collection at his home during Lawrence, Bill, and Ghak's visit to Pittsburgh for ComiCon a couple of years ago, in fact, I remember JoN sending a link of Bob's collection on the list. He was a dear, gentle man.
May he swing with the great apes in glory forever.
I'll be visiting the funeral home this afternoon wearing last year's Dum Dum t-shirt.
blessings, Amar
I went to the funeral home this afternoon, and met Bob's sons and daughter Wendy, and a couple of his granddaughters. I gave them Tangor's info on the Hall of Memories page on ERBList. They were quite happy to hear about that. Bob had donated his entire collection to the University of Louisville KY, and so, one of his sons will be going thru the collection, organizing and packing, and driving the entire collection down to Louisville.
I asked permission to tuck a personal momento into the casket and received an ok. I placed a card with my personal memories of Bob, and my wishes for him in eternity. I also placed 2 Burroughs Bibliophiles bookmarks in the casket near his hand. I wanted that for him - meaningless to some, but to me, it was important because of his standing with the BB's.
Tomorrow, there will be a luncheon at the Bradley House in West Mifflin, after the funeral service. I will not be able to attend that. It was hard seeing Bob laying there in the casket, wearing a suit and a necktie with pheasants on it. Nice necktie, but I thought a Tarzan necktie would've been more suitable, or him just wearing a Dum Dum t-shirt - the way I'm used to seeing him.
It's tissue time.
blessings, Amar
I did not know Mr. Hyde, bur from the words of all of you in edition to the stories I have read on him he seemed to be a truly great guy and will be missed greatly.
Like Dick, I have been offline for several days and am broken-hearted to learn of Bob Hyde's passing. He was truly a great gentleman among us Burroughsians and will be sorely missed, as are so many of our old-timers, lost to us over the past several decades since the earliest days of Burroughs Bibliophiles and other efforts to keep the name of ERB and his works in the public mind. It has been a deep pleasure to have met and enjoyed Bob's good company over the years.
My condolences and my best to his family.
Much love, DJ aka Usha
PS I join Laurence in considering how the BB Board can best honor Bob. And I would like to think Bob and Vern, among others, are enjoying a good laugh with Burroughs himself as they look back over the years and follow our activities into the future.
Shirley and I just returned from a 10 day vacation today to find that a very special person has passed away. We are truly sorry for the loss of Bob Hyde. I first met Bob at My first DumDum in 1970 in Detroit and have since enjoyed his company at later gatherings. Our condolences to Bob's family.
Ray and Shirley Le BeauI think it was ERB-dom that published an article about Bob with pictures of him and his collection. Even back then (1964?) his knowledge and enthusiasm regarding ERB were amazing. Like many other young fans I corresponded with Bob and received great benefit from his experience. I came to feel that Bob was a good friend before I ever met him.
I first met Bob Hyde in person at the 2000 ECOF. Renewing my new friendship with Bob has been one of the biggest benifits from attending the Dum Dum and ECOF. I plan to continue attending ERB conventions, but I fear much of the sunshine will be gone.
Personal friend of Tangor. Was not a member of the ERB lists but was a fan of Edgar Rice Burroughs. We met in high school and discovered our mutual interest in Burroughs. Over the years we kept in touch by phone, letters, and all too infrequent visits. Just an ordinary guy doing ordinary things. Two children from a previous marriage, and a young daughter late in life from a second marriage which ended in divorce. Was residing in Gulfport when Hurricane Katrina hit. He saved his daughter during the storm surge and died in the process. I will miss him.
Tangor
Some of the older ERB fans might have known a fellow fan named William Tredinnick. Bill was a movie fan and collector of early silent films and unusual b&w films from the 1930s and 1940s, and for many years used to sell old old movies via VHS and Beta. His business and home was located in the city of Dallas, Pennsylvania. I was able to obtain almost all the ERB movies on VHS from Bill in the 1980s.
Bill had been a writer when he was younger, and had also written a Tarzan pastiche ("Tarzan: Return of the Savage" also read by Bob Barrett and Bob Hyde and others) which I believe Dark Horse was going to publish. He had been quite ill for the past year or so.
I just got a call that he had passed away before Christmas. He was not married, but I do believe that his mother is still alive. Another one of us has taken the last journey down the sacred river ...
Bob Zeuschner
I want to make it a wonderful mourning page for the late Mr. Atsugi. The translator's help is very important for Japanese when we read foreign literature. You know, the structure of English and Japanese is completely different. And the custom of our country and your country is also different. The method of the refusal to an opinion of the others also differs from the method of love expression, and the method of expressing our opinion. The method of expression of us is a way often ambiguous. However, we seldom do saying one's opinion frankly. Then, we wish that the others guess our idea. Of course, the way is not valid in the present international society. The method of expression of us has changed recently. By the translator's help, in our words, We enjoy a lot of foreign novels and understand the foreign custom.
--Okapi, 30 June 2003>On May 19, 2003, an editor responsible for translating many of Edgar Rice Burroughs' novels from English to Japanese passed away from bile duct cancer. Born in 1930 at Nihonbashi, Tokyo, Japan, Mr. Atsugi attended Kyoto University and, in 1952, joined the editoral staff of Tokyo Sogensha Co.Ltd. where his skills as an editor and translator of non-Japanese literature produced the "world detective story complete works" and the "Sogen detective story library" in 1959. He founded the SF section in 1963. According to Okapi: "Those days, the foreign SF literature seldom loved was introduced in Japan. Moreover, since the translator of foreign SF literature was scarce, he played an active part also as a translator himself. In issue of "The princess of Mars", he requested the illustration from Mr. Motoichiro Takebe, painter." Atsugi worked as the chief editor until 1981. "He translated all E.R.Burroughs works published from Tokyo Sogensha Co.Ltd in Japan, many literary works of SF and Mystery, most notably the Foundation series by Isaac Asimov, also John Dickson Carr, Agatha Christie novels, and others. He translated "Barsoom" by Richard A . Lupoff, too."
When I asked Okapi if Jun Atsugi was a member of Japanese ERB fandom, her reply was: "Sure! "The princess of Mars" was published for the first time in Japan late in September, 1965. He was sure that absolute fun which was already lost with present-day SF works, exists in Burroughs's work. He wished strongly to introduce how Burroughs's work would be interesting. He determined that the Barsoom series whole set was published on Tokyo Sogensha Co.Ltd. Just before publication of "The princess of Mars" he was very glad to hear that the proofreading staff said, "This is the first time that such an interesting book was read."
Jun Astugi was not a member of ERBList but his tireless efforts to produce good translations of ERB's books into Japanese was, in part, responsible for the many Japanese fans who have joined ERBList over the years. Though Jun Atsugi has passed away, his work "still lives" and generations of Japanese yet-to-be-born will be able to find novels by Edgar Rice Burroughs in their language. The memorials below are those of Japanese ERB fans translated from Japanese to English by Japanese-speaking persons. I have no doubt that the sentiments expressed are clear and understandable. My thanks to Okapi for providing the translations and the information.
According to the journalistic previous report, Mr. Jun Atsugi who was known for the translator of the E.R.Burroughs works , passed away from bile duct cancer on last May 19. 73 years old of age at death. As former editorial department chief of Tokyo Sogensha Co.Ltd, he directed the space opera boom. Furthermore, he played an active part as a translator of many works about SF and mystery, such as Foundation series written by Isaac Asimov and many works of Agatha Christie. I wanted him to translate "The Outlaw of Torn" and "Tarzan series" which are not translated into Japanese. I pray his bliss of the dead. Tespectfully.
Since there were Mr. Asugi's distinguished services, I thought anew that Burroughs's fan was able to gather in Japan. However; Burroughs's novels may be interesting and the TV programs and movies of his work may attract interest, probably, his books were not read unless they were translated into Japanese. I think, when some persons (Me, too) met with Burroughs's translated novels, they changed their life. I want to be thankful to Mr. Atsugi who introduced so that our hands may reach Burroughs's great adventure world. I pray the bliss of his dead.
I am sorry for Mr. Atugi to pass away. I pray the bliss of his dead.
Although the copies-bound-together-in-one-volume version of Mars series which he translated was completed, I expected that the Tarzan series of a non-translation etc. were translated. It is regrettable. I pray with my hands joined for his soul.
I regret Mr. Atsugi's death.
I was grieved to hear of the death of Mr. Atsugi. He translated many interesting novels written in English including Burroughs, and introduced to us. I am very thankful to him. He will be missed by many. I send our love and deepest sympathy to his family.
I just had the sad news confirmed that New Orleans author George Alec Effinger has passed away this weekend. George had the ERB persona of Capt. James K. Powell and I had know George for a number of years. Peggy Ranson told me that the last time she saw George he said that with his luck the Maureen Birnbaum stories would be the only thing he would be remembered for. Not say for his Hugo or his latter books. But knowing George, I am sure he would have been happy to be remembered at all. He was a very nice person who had all too many physical illness, more than any one person should have.
When John Guidry advised the members of ERBList that George Alec Effinger had passed over the weekend of April 27-28 2002 I was stunned. George (Captain James K. Powell) had been in poor health for several years, yet had always been the best of the "lurkers" at ERBList. Our occasional private emails were always upbeat and full of ERB. I will miss this bright mind and fan.
And may them both (Effinger and James K. Powell) rest in peace. Effinger wrote the Burroughs pastiche Mars: The Home Front, which is the best of its kind that I have ever read.
Saddened to learn of Effinger's passing, even though I never met him personally. There will be no more Maureen Birnbaum stories, I guess.
Yes. sorry to hear that Effinger passed on.... I've read so many of his short stories...The one that comes to mind now is perhaps the weirdest pastiche based on ERB. Anyone read it? It's " Albert Schweitzer andThe Treasures of Atlantis" from 1993's Alternate Warriors ed. by Mike Resnick. In it, Albert reveals himself to be a Tarzanic jungle lord---an alternate warrior ,indeed! from Red Hawk (Julian 20)
I did not know him personally, but knew of him, and am sadden to hear of his passing. A shadow has passed, But let it not darken the soul or heart,
For the Life that was,David Burton (John Carter)
Wife of John Coleman Burroughs
Mother of John, Danton, and Dian
Perhaps it would be of interest to elucidate on the "John Carter of Mars" comic strip panels drawn by my husband, John Coleman Burroughs, in 1942. My facial features were drawn and I posed in a swim suit and Martian harness for the body proportions and positions. Never has it been known that I also drew all of the backgrounds and buildings, did all of the coloring and all of the lettering, and very much enjoyed the project. My love to all. --- "Dejah Thoris" (Jane Ralston Burroughs) Irvine, California (Letter to the Burroughs Bulletin)
I never had the privilege of meeting Jane Ralston Burroughs. This daughter-in-law of Edgar Rice Burroughs became real to me because of the many affectionate stories and remarks, memories, and pleasant asides I enjoyed over the years from ERB fans more fortunate. I've read Porges and know the "history," and have viewed images of this lovely woman on the net, but shall ever regret that I did not make her acquaintance. More importantly it should be remembered that more has been lost than someone who participated as model, artist, and story idea person during ERB and her husband's (John Coleman Burroughs) careers. A mother passed on in the early morning hours of 12 January 2002 at Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara, California. My sincere condolences to the Burroughs family, and to Danton in particular.
We have just heard from Danton that his mom, Jane Ralston Burroughs, died on Friday. Our sincere condolences to the Burroughs family. She was a beautiful and remarkable lady.
Wayne and Edie James send their sincere condolences to the Burroughs family.
From the bottom of my heart, I say condolence to Burroughs's family.
My best wishes to Danton and the rest of the Burroughs family.
Add my sympathies to Danton and his family as well.
My most sincere condolences also to Danton and his family.
Kaor, friends,
I've had a card from Arlene Alcosser, whom I met along with Robert Miller at the Baltimore Dum-Dum last fall. She reports "he passed away on Christmas Day. He suffered a severe asthma attack. He treasured his ERB friends and always made a point of showing me the latest Gridley Wave. He was at his happiest instructing me on anything related to Tarzan. I'm glad he was able to make this last Dum-Dum and finally get to *see* all his fellow, on-line ERB-ophiles. I hope he'll be remembered fondly by his friends."
I enjoyed "Jed Gathol's" ascerbic wit and commentary on the lists and he did me a number of kindnesses via private communications. I was very pleased to meet him in Baltimore and now regret I did not find more time to spend with him at that happy event. Let us have a moment in silence in memory of our recently departed friend.
If you have any sentiments that you would like passed to Ms. Alcosser, send them to me and I will mail them to her. {Aside to Tangor: I hope you will put up something appropriate at the Persona Directory and keep his entry as a tribute.} [NOTE: This was done. See SHEETA at ERB Persona Directory]
Jim
Folks --
It's 3:37 PM in a cold, slush-covered Manhattan. Looked out a window across that dismal stream that is the Hudson - across the barren waste-land that is urbanized New Jersey.
Seven or so hours have now passed since I was shocked to learn of Robert Miller's unfortunate passing.
Robert and I -- along with Dominic Lopez and Larry Rickert, first met in April 1997, at Dominic's suggestion - he wanted to be able to meet on a more or less monthly basis with other New York-based ERBLIST members.
Well, we got together. It might have been me - at least, Larry recalls that it was me - who dubbed us the "Apes of Gotham."
We'd meet, nosh, and chat about almost everything under the sun, not just ERB. With me more often than not doing most of the listening. But what the hell - it was a chance to spend a few hours one evening a month with some nice guys.
Well, even though we did not meet as often as we might have liked - everyone always had a why-and-wherefore for being unable to make it - Robert and I managed to keep in regular on-line contact, to the tune of at least six or eight email messages from each to the other, five days a week.
We found that we shared a liking for those old B-Westerns of the 30's and 40's, like the Three Mesquiteers. And some of the old detective series of the same two decades -- I liked Charlie Chan and Mr. Wong, and he had recently discovered The Falcon.
For the past year or so, we'd talk about spending a Sunday together when the weather got nice, and enjoy a nostalgic walk along the Coney Island Boardwalk - he was especially interested in this greasy-spoon joint that I had told him about, where once of the walls was literally covered with old photos and post=cards, showing what Coney Island looked like more or less during the two or three decades after WW 1.
And over the past few months, we talked about spending a few Sundays together, watching videos of some of the old Charlie Chan, Mr. Wong, and Falcon films.
Now, we will, alas, do neither.
Robert Miller's untimely death is as much *my* loss as any others, because I lost a friend. The loss for me is as real as any other. And the pain in my heart caused by that loss is as real and as painful as any other.
So much so that this morning, when I told a friend of the loss, I could not help crying for the loss. Just as I can't help it now.
I'm gonna miss ya, Robby Me Lad - and I'll never forgive you for leaving me, and causing me this grief.
Y'r Uncle Shadrach.
This is terribly sad news - especially when I actually received an email from Robert on Christmas Day itself which I would like to share with you....
In a message dated 25/12/98 15:37:19 GMT Standard Time, JedGathol writes:
In a message dated 12/25/98 12:29:48 AM, you wrote:
<<Another time perhaps... Enjoy the holidays.>>
Laurence...
No problemo, friend... There are times when I'm using Netscape to surf, and I never see the IM window until I'm about to sign off too.
Today is Christmas... It's sunny in NYC, but at least it's a little cold. Had some snow flurries yesterday, but not nearly enough to qualify for a White Christmas. How is London on Christmas day? I usually take a walk in the early evening around my neighborhood on Christmas. It's a hoot to see Chinese restaurants, saloons, and other stores closed at such an early hour on a weekday. There is one shop that sells jeans and other clothes which is open every Christmas day; it's run by Israelites so perhaps that's why.
Anyway... I hope Santa treated you well. Have a Happy New Year.
Robert
Robert and I first met at the ECOF gathering in Baltimore three or four years ago and after countless private email messages between us since the advent of ERBCOF-L (and also Tarzan-L), we met again last April at the Chillercon just outside Newark. In between times his health had deteriated badly such that he had to use a cane to walk and was also a diabetic. Just recently he had acquired a Tarzan and the Lost City press kit for me but was unable to send it personally as he had been unwell and had to get someone else to post it off. Elaine Casella had sent him a cheque for me to pay for it and just this past weekend told me that it had not yet been cashed.
When Robert and I was at the Chillercon, he caught me looking at some stamps commemorating Princess Diana and he asked me, "Won't you ever forget her?" Well I won't forget Princess Di and I won't forget Robert Miller.
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