Conference noted::sf

927.0. "Donald A. Wollheim (1914-1990)" by RUBY::BOYAJIAN (One of the Happy Generations) Sun Nov 04 1990 21:45

From: [email protected] (The Wandering Phew)
Newsgroups: rec.mag.otherrealms
Subject: Donald A. Wollheim (1914-1990)
Date: 4 Nov 90 05:52:30 GMT
 
I've just received word from Damon Knight that Donald Wollheim, founder
and publisher of DAW books, has died after a long illness. He was 76,
and is survived by his wife, Betsy and their daughter, Elsie, both
involved with DAW books. A leader of the Futurians in the 30's, he was
founder of FAPA, the Fantasy Amateur Press Association. he edited
Stirring Science Stories and Cosmic Stories, edited the SF line at Ace
for 20 years (during which time he brought out the uncopyrighted (but
legal due to a technicality) version of Lord of the Rings; he later
legitimized it and paid the Tolkien estate royalties; he was also
responsible for the Ace Doubles and Terry Carr's Ace Specials series).
He started his own imprint in 1972 and published, among other things,
his "Best SF of the Year" anthology until this year.
 
He was also a wonderful, friendly and open person who was never too busy to
sit and talk. He loved SF, he loves his family and he loved Fandom, which
was his extended family. I was priviledged to spend part of an afternoon
with Don and Betsy at Nolacon, and they are very special people.
 
Don Wollheim, along with the Ballantines, were instrumental in making the
field of Science Fiction a viable part of publishing. Don did his part to
also make it good with the Ace Science Fiction series and his commitment to
publishing what was different and good. About two years ago he suffered a
stroke and never really recovered, doing what he could from his bed with the
help of his family. He's been relieved of the suffering, but we've lost one
of the important people who made SF and fandom good and special, and I've
lost someone I consider a dear friend.
 
Rest in Peace, Don.

    
Chuq Von Rospach   <+>   [email protected]   <+>   [This is myself speaking]