Sunday, May 25, 2008

In Memoriam: Robert Asprin

I just found out that science fiction/fantasy writer Robert Asprin died a few days ago at his home in the French Quarter here in New Orleans. He was 61. Asprin, creator of the MythAdventures fantasy series, had been scheduled to be a guest of honor at MARCON, a major SFF convention taking place this weekend in Columbus, Ohio. His death occurred shortly before a friend arrived at his home to drive him to the airport. The Times-Picayune website has a good article on him. (Photo from Jody Lynn Nye, Asprin's collaborator on several books.)

Asprin also was an early participant in the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA), where he was known under his persona Yang the Nauseating, and was instrumental in creation of The Great Dark Horde, a subgroup within SCA (known as a "household").

I haven't read any of Asprin's work, but I recall seeing his books in bookstores, and online as well. A quick perusal of his website and the Great Dark Horde website shows an antic wit and a great sense of humor. I post this memorial out of respect for someone who obviously had great creative gifts, and used them well.

May he rest in peace.

5 comments:

cs harris said...

Sixty-one is young. How sad.

Charles Gramlich said...

Wow, I'm sad to hear this. I didn't read Asprin's work because I just typically don't find funny fantasy to be funny, but he did yeomen's work on the Thieves' World series which I certainly read and enjoyed very much. I'd always hoped to run into him in the city sometime but never did, or see him at any local cons. And yes, that is very young.

Lana Gramlich said...

Wow...bummer.

Steve Malley said...

Thanks for this heads-up. He was an early favorite I lost track of for awhile.

Oddly, losing the writer, I've found all that new work! Sad, though...

Steve Malley said...

For your June post, I've tagged you for the ten-year meme!