Category: Obituary

We at the Sanctum Secorum are shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Chaosium founder Greg Stafford. He passed away on October 11th, in the sweat lodge at his home in Arcata, CA. The “Grand Shaman of Gaming”, always questing for enlightenment.

In 1975, after several receiving several rejection notice, Mr. Stafford created Chaosium and published his first game, White Bear and Red Moon – the game that launched Glorantha. RuneQuest, Pendragon, Ghostbusters, HeroQuest, and so much more. Greg Stafford was as prolific as he was talented, contributing to nearly 100 game releases and winning a number of awards. Among his awards, Greg Stafford was inducted into the Origins Hall of Fame in 1987  and, in 1999, was named one of the Millennium’s Most Influential Persons, “at least in the realm of adventure gaming,” by Pyramid magazine.

Realizing that many gamers were only familiar with H.P. Lovecraft through Chaosium’s Call of Cthulhu, Stafford launched Chaosium’s popular fiction line. These books have introduced Lovecraft, his contemporaries, and a number of up and coming authors to the gaming community. Unwilling to simply sit back, he spread the gospel of dark literature. Chaosium continues to publish weird horror, and there are so many brilliant tales to yet be discovered.

Returning to Chaosium in 2015 as President and CEO, Greg Stafford also continued his journeys as a practicing shaman. He was a member of the board of directors of Shaman’s Drum, a journal of experiential shamanism, and devoted much of his time to bettering himself and others spiritually.

Truly, another giant of the industry is gone, and our hobby is forever diminished for his passing.

Chaosium has created a special Condolence Thread at BRP Central – The Chaosium Forums for messages from the gaming community of condolence, and remembrance, and celebration, about Greg Stafford.

“If you would like to show your appreciation for his life and legacy, or express your feelings, or pay your respects, please feel free to leave a note there. Greg’s wife Suzanne and his family know that he was greatly loved, respected and revered in the gaming community all over the world, and they have the link to this thread to read your posts when they are ready. Greg’s family request that you respect their privacy in this time of grief.”

https://basicroleplaying.org/topic/8417-greg-stafford-condolence-thread

We are sad to report the passing of Duke “Uncle Duke” Seifried at the age of 83. Mr. Seifried was the first Executive VP at TSR and was a true renaissance man (game designer, artist, writer, musician, music composer, and public speaker). During his career he sculpted over 10,000 miniatures, including a one-of-a-kind piece that was made for Gary Gygax, and which was placed in Gary’s suit pocket for his memorial service.

Our thoughts are with his friends and family at this sad time. Another legend of the industry is gone.

We have been shocked and grief-stricken to learn of the passing of DCC community member, and friend, Michael Fantin. We (like many others) are still processing the news. His was a smiling face that we sought out every year at Gary Con, and he made that event even more special with his being there.  Michael was an always cheerful presence at the gaming table. He was a nurse and businessman who loved spending time with his grandchildren.  He was the kind and thoughtful man with whom we will never again roll dice. He was more than a friend, he was a member of our tribe. We were fortunate to have met him and to call him friend. We mourn his death.

Our hearts go out to those all those who knew him, his friends and family, in this difficult time. There simply are no words to cushion the pain of his loss. A modest Go Fund Me has been started to help the family with funerary expenses. You may contribute to by clicking through below.

I was saddened by the departing of my friend
and I asked whence I should see him again.
He turned back and said to me
“We will meet again down the road
We will always meet someday down the road…”

We are sad to report that TSR alumnus Laura Roslof passed away this afternoon after a battle with cancer. Our thoughts are with her friends and family at this sad time.

Sad news for the Appendix N community as Karen Anderson passed away yesterday. Karen Anderson, was perhaps most widely known for her collaborations with her husband Poul Anderson, and also as the mother in law to author Greg Bear.

Anderson has the distinction of being the first author to use the term “filk” in print, as well as the first published science fiction haiku. She was a student of Philology (the study of language in oral and written historical sources) and had founded her own Holmesian group, the “Red Circle Society”.

Karen married Poul Anderson in 1953 and moved with him to the San Francisco Bay area. Their daughter Astrid was born the following year (Astrid married author Greg Bear in 1983). At the time of Poul Anderson’s passing in 2001, she and Poul were living in Orinda, California.

News of her passing was announced via the Poul Anderson Facebook Page

“It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Poul’s widow, Karen Anderson. It was a peaceful and unexpected passing — she died in her bed and was found by the Sunday visiting nurse. Memorial gathering plans to be announced later, but in the meantime, raise a glass to the memory of a fine woman. If you are moved to make a donation, please consider the SFWA Emergency Medical Fund or the UCLA Medical School.

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