Gary Gygax died this morning.

[GlennZilla]

My "Meeting Gary Gygax" story is much like GP's. I save up as a young 20-something to go to a con and find out that two people that inspired me the most would be there, Gary Gygax and Larry Elmore. I go to Larry's booth and chat with him for a good 20 minutes talkign about much I loved his work and getting him to sign one of his books. Then I turn around and the next guy to walk up to the booth is Gary Gygax. He shakes Larry's hand and they both turn to me. I get introduced to Gary Gygax by Larry Elmore. My nerd heart practically exploded.

I don't think I was able to actually speak until after my friends dragged me away.

[terrainmonkey]

i knew i shouldn't have checked the boards tonight before playing a game. i don't know how i'm going to run this one tonight. i'm speechless, almost in tears. this man and his game gave me so many great memories....

he left a mozart like legacy, one that will never be overshadowed. god speed my freind, you gave us all something that lives past your years. i'm sure you'll be gaming in heaven with all those lost gamers who have gone before.

though we only talked a few times, i feel this guy would have been one of my best freinds. i can say nothing more. i'm still shocked.

[NeonKnight]

I too have a Gameprinter/Glenzilla story from Gen Con 08.

I had a few competitons to attend at Gen Con and so I figured I would not have the chance to actually meet Mr Gygax. On the final day of the Con, I am sitting in the Hyatt with some friends killing time before going to the airport when I see a Gentleman coming up in a Scooter and I think to myself: "He sure looks like Gary Gygax, but I didn't think he was that old or infirm he needed one."

So I go up and ask if he is indeed Gary Gygax, and he says Yes he is. I am in geek heaven, just him, me and his wife and assistant. No one else around. I told him how much I enjoyed the game, and asked he would be willing to sign my hardcover book "Expedition to the Ruins of Castle Greyhawk" I knew he never wrote the book, but I also knew that this book was based on his greater works. Ever the humble man, Gary said sure, he would be honoured to sign the book.

Now, with his passing this book is even more precious to me any other object in my house.

[alucard339]

For my part, I’m sorry that I will never have the chance to meet him in real live, but I did talk once with him on an internet forum about the future of D&D (the 3rd edition and so). It was fun to see that a guy like him still take the time to hear our comments and take some notes from good points we have instead of doing like many big shoot and saying that it will be as they wishes and that’s it.


All the RPG society will dearly miss him.
My sincere condolences to his family.

But I know that up there they were just bored so they call him to get a good game running,
And so I’m sure we will see him soon enough when we go visit…

Cheer Gary!

here is a link to a short biography of him: Gary Gygax

Alu.

[Midgardsormr]

I recently had the opportunity to get to know Gary a little bit on another web forum. I was always impressed that although he had plenty of opportunities to complain about a variety of things (his health not least), he never did. He never had a bad word to say to or about anyone, yet he always expressed his opinions firmly.

Even had he never picked up a set of funny-looking dice, I think he still would have been a great man. I am very glad that I got the little bit of exposure to him that I did and saddened that I will have to wait for the next life to meet him in person.

Requiem æternam dona eis, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis.

[Robbie]

Truly an incredible loss to the whole gaming community. His contribution to this hobby from creation is immeasurable.

I also have met him, but I think I may have the extreme honor of claiming the "My character died at the hands of Gary Gygax" title. He ran a couple of short dungeon crawls at Imagine-Con in Norfolk a long while back and I signed up and luckily got selected to play. He's an amazing Dungeon Master and it was truly an honor to have been inspired yet killed with a roll of his die.

[Badger]

'Tis sad indeed. I feel as if an old friend has passed on to a better place. Maybe HeavenCon. RIP EGG, you will be sorely missed and your legacy will live on through the millions of gamers whose lives you've touched in some form or fashion. Thank you for all that you have given me, 27 years of happiness.