This page is for site visitors to post remembrances and thoughts at the time of Dr. Pournelle’s passing (8 Sep 2017). Your thoughts can be added using the form at the bottom of this page. Comments that are not related to words of encouragement or condolences will be removed.
Dr. Pournelle’s family appreciates those that have taken the time to send condolences and well wishes.
For those that are interested in Dr. Pournelle’s books, please see the e-books page or the Amazon page . Here’s a list of all of Jerry’s books: All The Books.
Jerry’s last post is here. The text of the eulogy given at the memorial is here. Site news is here. – Editor
We are all a little poorer tonight.
I met Mr. Pournelle in person, once; I had a small number of exchanges with him via his proto-blog; but I read every book of his that I could find, including his two Wade Curtis novels.
I think his most lasting impact was not science fiction per se, but the intellectual courage that science fiction demands. It was that courage that led him to put SDI on President Reagan’s desk, the Strategy of Technology in the War College, and _A Step Further Out_ (his still-timely essays on ‘survival with style’) in every serious bookstore on the planet.
Hail and farewell!
Blessed be, to family and friends.
This world is less for the loss.
My condolences to Dr. Pounelle’s family and friends. I’ve read his blog for over 20 years and his thinking and that of the other contributors helped me think through a lot of issues. His sheer sanity will be greatly missed.
We are all saddend by his passing. May his memory be a blessing for his family, and all of his fans. I am proud to have been among their number.
Robert Schwartz
My condolences to his family and close friends.
I saw him last week at Dragon*Con, and was touched by how much he was respected and admired by his peers in the Science Fiction community. (He made a point of saying he calls it “Science Fiction”, not “Sci-Fi” because he didn’t want Harlon Ellison to yell at him).
I’ve been reading his work, fiction and commentary, for years, and will miss his insights, his wit, his erudition, and his gentle humor.
His passing is a loss for us all.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon him.
We’ll miss you Dr. Pournelle. I’ve been reading your works for more than 30 years.
My condolences to Alex and Jenny on your father’s passing. I greatly enjoyed his novels since I began reading them in college in the late 1960s. Jenny, we met back in the mid-80s when we were both S-2’s, you for, I think the 42d FA Group and I was 3d Armd DivArty.
It’s the end which none of us can deny, but still it brings pain to learn the news. The quality of the world is not as great as it was. Jerry Pournelle was a giant in his field, and cannot be equaled. So many perfect hours, feeling so content with a Pournelle book in hand. I can’t offer enough thanks for that. HeavenCon has a new Guest Of Honor. RIP and Godspeed.
A truly great writer and person. Condolences to his family and friends.
My condolences to your family. Jerry was a great inspiration to me from the time I read Mote in God’s Eye. I quickly found his name on 20 books in my library.
He was a giant, and also led me to many past heroes. I’m very thankful for all he gave us.
Sad to see you go Jerry. I will miss reading your blog.
I’m so sorry to hear this. I hope that when I pass, that I will have touched as many lives in a positive way as Dr Pournelle.
Deepest condolences. He shall be missed
This was indeed sad news. I’ve read Jerry’s works of fiction and column/daybook for many, many years. I corresponded with him occasionally over the years, which sharpened up some sloppy thinking, and consider him an intellectual and political mentor. I was planning to write him a note to inquire his thoughts as to where Antifa fit into the Pournelle Chart on his return from DragonCon.
I will hold Roberta and the family in my Prayers. Requiescat in Pace…
This ae nighte, this ae nighte,
Every nighte and alle,
Fire and fleet and candle-lighte,
And Christe receive thy saule.
When thou from hence away art past,
Every nighte and alle,
To Whinny-muir thou com’st at last;
And Christe receive thy saule.
If ever thou gavest hosen and shoon,
Every nighte and alle,
Sit thee down and put them on;
And Christe receive thy saule.
1981 to now. An inspiration and a voice of reason.
Ave atque vale.
I am shocked and saddened to hear about dr. Pournelle’s passing. He was a great man and a good friend. Steven and I send our condolences to Alex and Roberta and the rest of the family. He will he will surely be missed by many.
A true leader and educator. His presence will be missed here, but Heaven is made greater. My condolences to his family. I have been reading his site for 20 years, he will be greatly missed.
Jerry was the reason I got into marketing after reading one of his Byte columns.
I actually got to meet him at a Microsoft event in the late ’90s.
He will be missed.
Godspeed Dr. Pournelle, you were my earliest introduction to quality Science Fiction along with EE Doc Smith and Robert Heinlein, a wonderful pantheon of writers. RIP and condolences to the entire Pournelle clan.