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
I was privileged to see Dr. Pournelle at MidAmericon, 1976. I will never forget his excitement as he announced to a group of us fans the first successful landing of a spacecraft on Mars, Viking 1. The room erupted in cheers, an unforgettable moment. Thank you, Dr. Pournelle. We will miss your voice.
He will be missed.
My deepest condolences to the whole family. Here’s the last part of the post I wrote earlier this morning over on Facebook.
Jerry’s most lasting impression on me — and the one behind my own writing efforts for the last several years — has been his sheer will power and work ethic. About a decade ago, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor and underwent radiation therapy. He kept blogging through all that, with frank admissions of the impact it was having on his ability to think and write, and then started working on novels and stories again. Then a few years ago, he suffered a stroke, but did exactly the same thing — blogged during his therapy and recovery and started writing again as soon as possible. Keep in mind he was 75 when he suffered the brain tumor and 81 when he had the stroke. His sheer tenacity was, for me, awe-inspiring. He was and is truly my real-life “Your argument is invalid” meme.
Ah, Jerry, the world is a less interesting place without you. But I now know to whom I will dedicate my first novel.
I started reading Jerry’s science fiction back when he was writing for Analog Science Fiction magazine, and later had the opportunity to work with him at Byte magazine. Byte flew me out to Chaos Manor to get him up to speed on their new BIX system, which was based on my software. He invited me to a party where I met the likes of Larry Niven, Bob Silverberg and Poul Anderson.
I had the honor of working with him and the other members of the Citizens Advisory Council on National Space Policy. We (mostly he) helped get the DC-X project started — reusable, vertical-takeoff-and-landing rocket technology that SpaceX built on for their Falcon launcher. The nation owes him a debt for helping maintain our access to space.
He inspired me to start selling my writing, both non-fiction and later fiction. In fact, by a series of events I won’t go into here (but involving the Council, L5, and the 1986 ISDC) he led to me meeting the woman I later married. When we had twin boys, we briefly considered naming them Jerry and Larry.
My condolences to Roberta and his children, who were all very gracious when I visited his home or met them elsewhere, and to his friends and fans. He will be missed.
Ad astra, Jerry.
I loved Jerry’s work. He will be missed. My deepest and heartfelt condolences to his survivors.
I have spent many happy and engrossed hours reading and re-reading Mr. Pournelle’s books; he had a real gift for storytelling. My condolences to his family.
I will miss my talented science fiction writer friend and mentor, Jerry Pournelle, who passed away today. Jerry is the person who got my start in America because he loved sitting down in his home and hack all night together. I got to do these all nighters, Jerry would be wanting to both learn good coding form and work on his next novel. All at the same time. Which was great fun for a young French science fiction fan. Lots was happening at “Chaos Manor” in Studio City as made famous by the leading publication of the time, Byte Magazine. Jerry opened his home and his family to an immigrant mathematician without documentation and no financial resources. I am forever grateful to this real gentleman. Jerry’s literary legacy lives on. Only you Jerry could call an Alien instantiated as a baby elephant: “Arpanet”. Godspeed.
I will greatly miss Dr Pournelle’s penetrating insights. He had a very rare combination of scientific, historical, literary, political and spiritual perspective. Thank you Jerry for all you did and Godspeed!
I was first introduced to Jerry Pournelle’s wit, insight, and humor by his appearances on This Week in Tech, and from there delved into several of his novels. His perspective on technology and society was extremely valuable, and will be missed. My condolences to his family and friends.
You’ve done a man’s job, sir.
My condolences to Jerry’s family and friends. I spent 30 successful years in IT, starting with DOS and the IBM XT. Jerry helped me learn my craft. RIP.
My condolences. The Niven / Pournelle novels were a staple of my childhood that I shared with my father. I still remember how he loved the idea of the frictionless toilet in The Mote in God’s Eye. Would have shared the bad news with him, but unfortunately he also passed away three weeks ago.
I’ve been a Byte subscriber for many many years and Jerry’s Chaos Manor column was the first thing I read in each new edition. His unique style and personal writing were a rear gift and I’m going to miss it a lot. I send my condolences to his family and hope they will have some comfort in knowing that he touched so many people around the globe.
I remember with much enthousiasm his Byte column.
He will be missed.
RIP
I loved him. I first read High Justice and was highly impressed. I immediately bought and reas “Mote” and found that Dune was no longer my favorite sci-fi novel. Chaos Manor has showcased his deep, but down to earth thinking and has delighted me for yes. More than anything, I think it’s his thoughtful musings here I’ll miss the most. Know that he was loved and respected.
My condolences to Mrs Roberta Pournelle and their children.
I first read Dr Pournelle via his Chaos Manor columns in Byte Magazine as a teenager many years ago. More important than even his substantial works is his role in paving mankind’s path to the stars. He will be missed.
My condolences to Jerry’s Family and Friends.
I fondly remember the many happy hours I spent with his books and also reading the chaos manor column.
We’ll miss you.
Though their fictional leader Bob Anson was obviously based on an elder mentor (simple exercise left to the reader), authors Jerry Pournelle and Larry Niven were clearly the true founders of the Dreamer Fithp. May future generations bring us fresh new geniuses so willing to think big.
Godspeed Dr. Pournelle. My autographs from you always included my favorite of your sayings that “Despair Is A Sin.” I try never to forget it.
Though we never met, I find I feel this loss quite personally. The world is a less illuminated place. My condolences to family, friends, those who who read and cherished his work, and everyone else.
Godspeed, Sir.
Jerry Pournelle gave me many hours of pleasure with his fiction, and provided much useful information in his BYTE columns, and interesting arguments and facts in his columns. Best wishes to his family in this difficult time.