Michael Bishop, one of the great SF writers of our day. Lawrence sent over a Facebook link from Asimov’s, and Michael Swanwick has a very nice obit on his blog.
I had the privilege of meeting Mr. Bishop in person twice, once at a signing in Houston and the other at an Armadillocon (back in the day when I was still going to those). He always treated me with a great deal of kindness, which surprised me. But I guess it shouldn’t have: the word everyone seems to use when describing Mr. Bishop is “kind”. I think I made him smile when I brought breakfast tacos for an 8 AM Sunday morning science fiction poetry panel.
I didn’t know (as Mr. Swanwick points out) that he was a “sincere Christian”. We never got to the point where we talked about religion. But I think I’m going to ask my people to say a prayer for the repose of his soul Sunday morning. He was a good man. I liked his writing, and his passing leaves a hole in the world.
Officer Jorge Pastore of the Austin Police Department. He was killed during a SWAT standoff Saturday morning. Two apparent hostages and the suspected shooter also died in the incident.
Pastore’s passing was one of three deaths in total for the Austin Police Department over the weekend.
Two other officers died in separate incidents, one retired officer in a car crash and another officer died by suicide.
Peter Seidler, chairman and controlling owner of the San Diego Padres.
One could not aspire to much more of a legacy than to be remembered as
“Kind”. Being called a good father, husband, friend, etc., they all seem to be encompassed in that single word.
I actually mentioned to my wife the other day that I was sorry that she did not know me when I was younger. In high school I was a much kinder, nicer person than I think that I am now. Of course I can make the excuses to myself that after over 35 years in a foundry type of job, having friends either die there or kill there would make anyone somewhat jaded. And also cause one to develop a tough shell to cope with such things. But everyone has had their difficult things and not everyone comes out less kind or not as nice.
The phrase sincere Christian has always seemed strange since it implies that a Christian somehow is a bit more moral or even meek, when in fact I think that a Christian actually is just like any other person except that they realize that they are NOT nice and kind apart for the forgiveness of Christ. But I understand what is meant when one uses that term.
As for the police officers passing from the line of duty and also from what likely is related to the same, it is a sad thing when someone who is attempting to help people ends up in such circumstances. I pray that their families are comforted.
And also I am glad that you made it home safely and hope that you have a good week.
Thank you, pigpen. The phrase “sincere Christian” struck me as odd, too, and I don’t know why. I think my initial reaction was: are there insincere Christians? Of course there are, when you think about it.
Many of the local stories about the police officer who died in the line of duty mention that APD has lost four officers to shootings in 45 years, or roughly one every 11.25 years. I don’t want to minimize the tragedy of the recent events, but it’s worth pointing out (since the media is concentrating on the shooting aspect) that we’ve lost at least nine (by my count) officers to vehicle accidents in the line of duty in that same period.
Mike and I were actually planning to send you a shout-out. We had dinner Saturday night at Billy Simms Barbecue in Tulsa, and they have a statue of Mr. Simms out front. We first ran across it a couple of days before while we were out, and figured we’d go back and get a picture for you. Then it was too dark Saturday night, so we figured we’d go back on our way out Monday morning. Then we totally forgot Monday morning until we were about 50 miles down the road from Tulsa.
Next trip.
Thank you for the kind words and good wishes.