RIP

[deborahjross]

Kevin O'Donnell Jr passed away today from lung cancer. Newer writers may not know his name, but for us oldsters, he was not only an innovative writer but an unsung hero of SFWA. His tireless work on behalf of fellow writers through SFWA's Grievance Committee was truly a gift to us all.

That's him in the blue shirt at Baycon 2006, with me and Jeff and Diane Carlson.

I think my favorite memory of Kevin was when I was Secretary of SFWA and he was about to receive an award for his many years of extraordinary service. This was in 2005 in Chicago. Instead of being dutiful, we ran away to the Field Museum and played with the dinosaur skeletons. Afterward, we sat on the steps and at Polish sausages with everything on them. I still see Kevin as he was then, filled with wonder and delight at the world around him, yet with his marvelous imagination working overtime.

Comments

[sartorias.livejournal.com]

Oh, that is horrible--he was such a nice guy. I am so sorry to lose him.

[aberwyn.livejournal.com]

Such sad news!

[http://users.livejournal.com/la_marquise_de_/]

Oh, that is very sad news. I really enjoyed his work.

[deborahjross.livejournal.com]

Yes he was. He was incredibly kind to me back in 1997 when I was taking care of my first m-i-l in her own cancer battle and in pretty bad emotional shape myself. And since, but his sensitivity and generosity during that dark time formed the basis of our friendship from then on.

[deborahjross.livejournal.com]

Very few people outside family and a few longtime friends even knew he was ill. I think that's sad, because so many people who respected and appreciated him never got to tell him so.

[deborahjross.livejournal.com]

Sad, and let's not talk about smoking...

[aberwyn.livejournal.com]

Yes, I certainly would have told him and also seen if there were any way I might help. But I didn't know.