R.I.P. Robert Asprin

[Brad from Georgia]

Robert Asprin, fantasy/sf writer and humorist, has died at the age of 61. Last year at Dragon Con in Atlanta, I discovered that Bob was a fellow Jack Benny fan--we were on a panel together, at opposite ends of the table, and we were talking about "humor in sf." At one point, Bob said, "The kind of humor that endures isn't joke-based but personality-based," and he set up the "Your money or your life bit." I chimed in as he was doing a fair Benny: "Sure is dark tonight. No moon." I said, "Hey, Bud!" An obviously delighted Bob did the sketch with me, and we got a laugh. Then I asked, "Do you remember the Dorothy Kirsten bit?" He did Jack again, and I did Don, Dorothy, and Mary! We got a round of applause, and the other members of the panel threatened (in jest) to walk off.

I'd known Bob for years, as a convention acquaintance, not a close friend, but had never known he was a fellow Benny fan. My son tells me that he and Bob's son used to pal around at conventions, and they actually were once on a panel themselves, telling how hard it is to grow up with a writer as a dad or mom.....

Farewell, Bob. You were a funny guy and a good writer, and your fans are going to miss you terribly.
:cry

[Mister Kitzel]

I remember Robert Aspirin as always being a friendly guy. Sad news.

[shimp scrampi]

Wonderful remembrance, Brad - and a reminder how deep and wide Jack's influence has been on all types of creative people.