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
David Welsh – and Dr Asimov…
Imagine the discussions now going on in heaven with a voice like Dr Pournelle’s joining in.
A calm voice in the chaos on earth is sorely missed.
Am grateful that this site is still available, sharing his wisdom.
My heart & mind enjoyed the words over 40 years, You passed 30 years too soon in my opinion, say hi to R.A.H. and I will join you guys soon.
Wandered by…it’s exactly like I might wander by an old, closed school or neighborhood. I really liked the place. Miss Dr. Pournelle and the often interesting discussions here.
I continue coming back to this site, as Jerry has been an intellectual touchstone for me. His rational thinking and broad perspective are still an inspiration.
I hope that his words continue to be available, in one form or another.
I am still missing Jerry Pournelle. His words of reason are much needed in these days of chaos. I appreciate that his words are here for us to continue to learn from and enjoy.
I came here looking for a quote he once made about energy research and oil, and found the sad news of his death. His writings with Larry Niven were my introduction to “hard” sci-fi and I still return to those superb books on occasion. My condolences to his family.
I remember Chaos Manor Column in BYTE in the 90’ies. I grew up in Italy and I owe much of my proficiency in English to reading BYTE. I particularly liked Jerry’s writing. He is definitely part of my upbringing. Sometimes I feel my house has grown to be similar to Chaos Manor, computers in many rooms, cables and issues. It is sad to know that Jerry is no longer with us.
It has now been a year without Jerry to weave together the skeins of present events with the experience of mankind. But he left us much.
Your readers lost you one year ago today. I was at our local used-book store today with my son, who just finished The Mote in God’s Eye, and pointed out Lucifer’s Hammer in the sci-fi section. We already have that one, and it is on his reading list. We are both so sad that there will be nothing new.
I was a fan of Jerry Pournelle’s writing ever since I found a battered copy of “The Prince” in a book shop I used to frequent. It has remained one of my favourite books, soon to be joined by other Pournelle stories, such as “Fallen Angels”, “Lucifer’s Hammer” and “The Janissaries”. I kept that old book all through my O’Levels and A’Levels, and took it with me when I was in the US (briefly) for college.
I didn’t find out that he had died until I decided to look and see if he’d written the fourth book in the “Janissaries” series, and was truly shocked that I’d heard nothing about his passing. He will truly be missed.
I “met” Dr. Pournelle through his enjoyable column in Byte, as a teenager/young adult in the late 90s and early 2000s.
My priorities shifted over time, and it was many years that I didn’t actively follow him, but I always remembered him with fondness.
Tonight was one of these times I remembered him, and I came here to check how he is doing. It made me sad to read that he has left us almost a year ago; but his legacy remains. My sincere condolences to the family of this great man, and a “childhood companion” for me.
Mr Bailey –
That is Jerald Eugene Pournelle! ;->
Godspeed your journey Jerald Pournelle.
We are all diminished by the loss of a great man. He was a hero of mine for many decades and I pray my children will find his equal for themselves.
A small bit of me will never recover, I think. His sharp mind, his fertile imagination, his deep knowledge is a rare thing and cannot be replaced easily
Many many thanks for keeping Dr. Pournelle’s thoughts alive and in plain view. I find great solace in being able to turn to AT LEAST ONE place on the web where sanity prevails
Please keep sending the
“Notification from Dr. Jerry Pournelle’s Chaos Manor web site”
It’s like getting a letter from an old lost friend.
And a reminder of many great conversations.
I never knew or met Dr Pournelle but his colaborations with Larry Niven are still my favorite escapes of all time. His words in the tech world were always enlightening and entertaining. His words on the world, politics and the human condition beyond wise…
A mind and a voice the world sorely needed, particularly in these troubled days. Now one of my bucket list items will never be checked off as another great man I would have loved to meet has left this relm for the next.
I’d say rest in peace but I’m sure you’re way too busy learning, experiencing and analysing, wherever you are, to rest, Farewell and good journey Doctor….
I am still very much honored to have been a patron to the good doctor’s work. He is missed. His work and accomplishments will be remembered. There is nothing more powerful or valuable than an accessible Wiseman that we could discuss world events with.