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John M. Ford, 1957-2006

V

vraymond

SOC-9
Dear All,

Just a very sad note to pass along: John M. Ford, author of many books, gaming products and stories, passed away unexpectedly yesterday in Minneapolis.

The writer of many Amber Zones, including the original appearance of Veedback in "Road Show" (IIRC), John M. Ford was a brilliant man and will be missed.

For more information, please go to: http://nielsenhayden.com/makinglight/archives/008033.html#008033

I'll miss him. A LOT.

Victor
 
Damn... His Car Wars stuff was freaking AWESOME, not to mention his contributions to Trav...
 
What I liked most about Ford was his smooth integration of comedy into his writings, as seen in Star Trek's 'How Much For Just The Planet', and Travellers "road Show'. He'll be missed.
 
Yup, was one of the Great Old Ones who captured my heart and endured me to Traveller when other SF writers were writing the Military SF stuff, John's writing made life seem lighter and hence more realistic.
 
*Jame uses a ballista to throw two bottles of champagne, one at a time, into the fire. One is for a member of [my] gaming group who departed recently, and another is for John M. Ford.*
 
If you've never read Ford's The Final Reflection, you should run out and get it today.

It's one of the finest SciFi novels I've ever read. (No kiddin'.)

I think that it's a "Star Trek" book made it underappreciated. But, I think it's better than some Hugo award winners I've read.

Honestly, check out that book. It displays just how talented John really was, and it's one hell of a fine read.
 
I've read The Final Reflection (many years ago) and entirely agree - superb book. I hadn't realised that Ford was the author. A real loss.
 
Originally posted by Peter Newman:
What I liked most about Ford was his smooth integration of comedy into his writings, as seen in Star Trek's 'How Much For Just The Planet', and Travellers "road Show'. He'll be missed.
Click to expand...
There's also 'Yellow Clearence Black Box Blues' adventure he wrote for Paranoia. I still have my copy.
 
My condolences.

I do recognize his talented contributions. I fact my Classic campaign *just* finished a scenario based on his Veedback Road Show adventure (from JTAS). The players of my campaign had a blast escorting the Magyar sector's most illustrious amp band, the all-girl band Pussycats in Exile (aka PIE) across 2 subsectors in a luxury liner cruise. Assassination attempts, poisoning attempts, espionage aboard the luxury ship, a band manager-choreographer (who acted a lot like Tommy Chong) who had an illegal drug habit, and a concert hosted in a despotic world ruled by a hated Tsar.... the players had a blast trying to protect the band and keep them out of trouble! And I give credit for the inspired idea to John Ford's original scenario in the JTAS.
 
If you've never read Ford's The Final Reflection, you should run out and get it today.

It's one of the finest SciFi novels I've ever read. (No kiddin'.)
Click to expand...
Absolutely and enthusiastically agree.
I must have read that book about 20 times, and it never got old. Real talent that will be sorely missed.

I salute you, Mr. Ford, and hope your spirit finds success wherever it has gone to.
 
Dear Folks -

Here's what I posted to the TML:
----------
First heard about this yesterday on the Traveller Mailing List, in digest
#415:
>>John M. Ford passed away last night.
>
>Steve Jackson told me earlier today. I have no words right now. Maybe
later.
>
>LKW

Maybe some of his own?

"When one of us dies - well, to each his own field,
A body on shipboard must earn cargo prices.
So they go to vacuum, are launched on their way,
And we go to landing-grounds, soil spaded over,
Some till and some sow. What else is there to say?
So that's what they mean, "how can you bear the quiet."

The crew's on the field. We'll look each other over,
We'll argue the prices, find hard things to say,
They'll go on their way. We'll go back to the quiet."

- John M. Ford, excerpt from "Sestina: Midnight Stations", GURPS
Traveller: Starports by John M. Ford with James Maliszewski, SJ Games,
c.2000.


John wrote the first Amber Zone I ever played in, "Aces and Eights", and
was the author of some of the most off-beat and fun! fun! FUN! Amber Zones
ever written:

JTAS Issue No. 10 Geria Transfer
JTAS Issue No. 14 Aces & Eights
JTAS Issue No. 15 Chill
JTAS Issue No. 16 Last Flight of the Themis
JTAS Issue No. 18 Ref's Note: Jack of all Trades
JTAS Issue No. 19 Skyport Authority
JTAS Issue No. 23 Roadshow

plus the odd tech article like:

JTAS Issue No. 12 The Ship's Locker: GAATV


I remember for years thinking, "wouldn't it be great to expand John's
starport article into a book?". Then when I found out who was writing
GURPS Traveller: Starports, I quietly put away my scribbled notes and
instead awaited the work of the master.

And was not disappointed.

"Because it's tough to save the universe on an empty stomach."
- John M. Ford, GT: Starports, p4.
 
"If you've never read Ford's The Final Reflection, you should run out and get it today." -- Supplement Four.
Click to expand...
THAT John Ford?!! THE John Ford?!! I still have my 1st edition copy of 'The Final Reflection'.

The last, great 'Thought Admiral' has passed unto the Dark Fleet, and his passing diminishes us all.
 
Wow. Reading some of his website, he seemed to be a man at odds with his world.

So, Mr. Ford, thank you for all the enjoyment you have given me through a shared hobby. You have been, and will be, missed. Blessings to you and yours, and may you find the peace you were looking for.

CR Hicks, Jr.
Tacoma WA
 
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