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
My condolences to Jerry’s friends and family.
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Dr. Jerry Pournelle. I was on a panel with him at Loscon, and was honored to learn from his insight and perspective on space exploration. My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.
I’ve read Dr. Pournelle’s work since I was a kid in Science Fiction, Byte magazine and even the old General magazine from Avalon Hill. He was always brilliant and always worth reading. I got to meet him in a Sci-Fi convention in Omaha years ago and he only redoubled my respect for him. He was so generous with his time and ideas. I’m very sad to hear of his passing.
My family’s prayers go out for him and the rest of your family. His passing is a loss for everyone. Thanks for sharing him with us for all these years.
Thank you for the countless hours of pleasure your writings (both Byte and fiction) have given me. My thoughts go out to the family and close friends who are missing a great man and I hope than can get some relief from their pain with the knowledge of the fun he gave people he never met!
Jerry Pournelle was an important presence for me in this difficult world, and though I never had the privilege of meeting him, I see now that his voice of stubborn reason and intelligence meant more to me than I even knew while he was here. My thanks to all who supported him in life, and my sympathies to all who will miss him. I will certainly miss him.
I grew up reading Jerry’s articles in Byte as well as his novels and short stories. They were part of me becoming an engineer. At a Space Access Conference in Phoenix, he overheard me describe the use and function of integration paper to a young instrumentation engineer. He immediately inserted himself into the conversation. I was lucky enough to have enjoyed several evening chats with Jerry at subsequent Space Access conferences. I will miss him and cherish my conversations with one of my favorite sci-fi authors of my teenage years.
My condolences, have been a fan since the mid 70s. I always looked forward to new postings in Chaos Manor, he will be sorely missed.
Andy from London
May Valhalla ring with welcome of warriors.
I’ve been reading Jerry Pournelle’s writing for over 40 years. Fiction or non-fiction, he was one of the best. He was also a great human being. My condolences to his family and friends, and my fellow fans. The world is diminished with his passing.
Very sad news.
I got to know Jerry’s writing in Byte, and then later here on Chaos Manor.
There are no other in technology who could write so well as Jerry and his columns honest in both praise and criticism of new computer technology and products, and direct in its hands-on practical approach.
Here on Chaos Manor his daybook and mail has covered such a wide array of interesting subjects, that it was always interesting to follow.
While not always agreeing with Jerry, his faith in the necessity of rational debate was an example to follow and a reminder always to reexamine ones own long held beliefs to see if they could stand the test of the opposing view.
He will be missed.
My condolences goes out to his family – may he rest in peace after a good and productive life.
Regards
Bo Andersen, Denmark.
A sad day. Chaos Manor in Byte in the early eighties was, for me, an immensely important influence. Jerry Pournelle portrayed all the positives and frustrations of the personal computer revolution, and humanised it all: his struggles were our struggles. I still have a dozen or so of the 1980’s Bytes in hardcopy, and I will treasure them all the more. And I am thankful for all his writing: for me, Chaos Manor led also to an abiding passion for grand scale science fiction as well.
Always enjoyed reading Mr. Pournelle’s writing, whether non-fiction or sci-fi. My condolences to his family. He will be missed.
Always enjoyed reading Mr. Pournelle’s writing, whether non-fiction or sci-fi. My condolences to his family.
We knew each other for many years, but we first met face to face at DragonCon, I had no idea it would be the last opportunity I had to meet him, so I am doubly glad I went.
I send a card via postal mail to the Studio City address as this method here appears to be overloaded.
This is a loss for everyone, as well as a shock, but particularly so for his family. My sympathy.
I’ll miss him! My condolences.
I’l miss him! My condolences.
I just saw him at DragonCon and did not dream it would be my last opportunity; so I am doubly glad I went.
I sent a card via snail mail to the Studio City address as well as posting here.
I know I will miss his insightful comments and acute observations.
Jerry’s columns were, by far, my favorite and first read article in Byte in month. Thank you, Jerry, for opening your home at Chaos Manor for us all to learn and be entertained.
A great writer and a good storyteller, you will be missed.
Our condolences and sympathies to his family and loved ones.
Vaya con Dios
I was a big fan of everything Dr. Pournelle did and was an avid follower of his Chaos Manor journal. Every time I received an e-mail notification that he had published something new, I jumped to his page immediately. He had a very unusual combination of intellect and communication ability. I never had the opportunity to meet him, but “reading between the lines”, I could always imagine him to be a very nice person as well.