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
Everyone knew when Jerry entered a room. He had a John Wayne presence and a voice that cut through any conversation soaked room. As a greenhorn editor for Popular Computing magazine in the early 80s, I shared a shot or two with Jerry in a hotel room during COMDEX. He sized me up pretty quickly, but I was too young to know what to make of him at first—that took another decade. I worked for BYTE during those years, eventually becoming editor-in-chief. Though he never admitted it to me, I am certain he had something to do with that.
Back then, some folks had begun to wonder if BYTE had lost its way, and though his column continued, Jerry had started writing for other computer magazines, too. That changed one night over a bowl of chili at Chaos Manor. I showed up to take Jerry to dinner at some fancy restaurant in hopes of convincing him to be exclusive to BYTE. That night, though, Jerry had other ideas, which he disclosed in plotted bits and pieces. What first seemed to be his hemming and hawing and downright procrastination about dinner finally gave way to a distinct aroma from the kitchen. You see, he had cooked up a pot of chili that was simmering on the stove, and he was on a mission to convince me that his chili was better than mine. It was, and we both got what we wanted. As it turns out, you can get to know a person over a bowl of chili.
From that moment on, Jerry was always there with advice and encouragement during the rest of my time at BYTE. He was an inspiration. And just to be clear, and even though we had writers that included Michael Crichton, William F. Buckley, Al Gore, Bill Gates, and nearly every leading light in personal computers, Jerry was the most read. He was, in fact, the reason many people subscribed to BYTE. Yet it was Jerry who would, during those rare moments when it was just the two of us, speak of his admiration of the BYTE editorial staff and the BYTE readers—betraying his bigger-than-life guise.
Jerry was a good man, and he had an impact on my life that I could not have anticipated.
Roberta, thank you for sharing Jerry with BYTE—and us all.
Finally, if there is a heaven, and I believe there is, then surely there is chili cook-off there, and Jerry is in first place and serving chili.
Though we corresponded over the years, my deepest regret is we never got to meet in person (though I met Phillip twice).
Its hard to say how much of my life was affected by him. I owe my writing career to his encouragements, and my politics.
Jerry, often said that he was a student of Russell Kirk, I always say I am a student of Pournelle.
I am so sorry
Farewell and God bless. I only recently read some his works, but they were very thought provoking and had an impact on me. My thoughts and prayers will be with his family.
Condolences to the family. My goodness what a loss, as he will be missed!
The stars seem a little dimmer today. It has been a privilege to read and re-read Dr. Pournelle’s writings. He has always put a thinking man’s spin on the days topics. You will be greatly missed My deepest condolences to family and friends.
Farewell to a great thinker and writer.
Condolences to his family and many friends.
I have loved traveling the universes he created for most of my adult life. Can’t wait to go back.
Deepest and sincerest condolences.
I am sorry to hear of Dr.Pournelle’s passing. Our world will have one lees guiding light. For all his family and close friends, may you be consoled knowing he influenced countless others with his writing and thoughts.
I often re-read Dr. Pournelle’s books, they stand the test of time. He will be missed, but remembered!
My condolences to his family and friends
The world has lost not only a great creative mind, but a much needed champion for rational debate. Dr. Pournelle often helped me understand a world that is often murky and misleading. He will be missed.
To his family and friends, I am deeply sorry for your loss.
I’ve enjoyed reading his books and blog for many years. I will miss him.
My deepest and sincerest condolences.
I remember Dr. Pournelle’s columns in BYTE. He blazed a trail through bleeding edge technology and made computing life easier for those of us following his lead. I spent many hours enjoying his book collaborations with Larry Niven. We will miss you Dr. Pournelle.
My condolences to the Pournelle clan.
His thoughts and writings were slways a joy to read. I will miss them
I have read many of Mr. Pournelle’s Sifi books and was always challenged by the vision he presented. I am praying for comfort for your family.
I am deeply saddened to learn of Dr. Pournelles’ passing. My sincere condolences to his family and friends
I have enjoyed his fiction since childhood and count his stories as some of my favorites.. I read his Byte column regularly and read his musings from Chaos Manor as soon as I discovered the Internet. In fact, he is partly responsible for this history major turning to a career in IT. It was a real treat to listen to him on @TWIT in recent years.
He will be sorely missed. RIP Dr. Pournelle.
I have enjoyed his fiction since childhood and count his stories as some of my favorites.. I read his Byte column regularly and read his musings from Chaos Manor as soon as I discovered the Internet. In fact, he is partly responsible for this history major turning to a career in IT.
It was a real treat to listen to him on @TWIT in recent years.
He will be sorely missed. RIP Dr. Pournelle.
The measure of a man is how much he is missed when he is gone.
Dr. Pournelle will be greatly missed by many for many years to come.
My deepest condolences to his family and friends.
Kind of weird. Just a couple days ago, I thought to myself: Self, you need to read Mote again. Now I have to. From grad school to now, and that is forty-mumble-mumble years, I have always looked for Dr. Pournelle’s work. I think I have the full fictional library. Hail to the grunts.
RIP Dr. Jerry Pournelle
I’ve always found his writing very interesting and provocative (his CoDominium novels for instance) even though I’ve completely disagreed with his politics.
One thing I do remember was his gracious response he made to a letter I wrote him about his setting up a sheltered assembly line for mentally handicapped people. When I wrote the letter as a young behavior analyst I was doing the same. His comments and suggestions made that project a success.