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
The good doctor entertained and educated with his writings. His wit and intelligence offered solutions and hope for our world. His like is not just once in a generation, but once in a century. His loss is irreplaceable, and he is missed.
To Mr Pournelle’s Family
I just found this site and I am sad that I could not have known of it during Mr Pournelle’s lifetime.
He obviously was a man of energy and insight. You must miss him deeply.
His words and level head leaves me with profound thoughts and a sense of well-being.
Sincerely
Claire M Cook
Jerry would have loved this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sf4qRY3h_eo
I just can’t bring myself to delete my bookmark for this site. Every once in a while, i just have to check back and hope some new tidbit has surfaced.
To those that have not heard, Chaos Manor, the house and birthplace of many a great story is no more. The family sold the home. The new owners did a major remodel, and to me, it was a desecration of a great man’s work area.
Five years on, I still miss reading Jerry’s thoughts on the madness of the day. Remember, despair is a sin.
I still regularly wonder what you would say about a political situation or a scientific question.
I guess you’ll always be an intellectual yardstick for me.
Thanks, Jerry. I miss you very much.
I miss Jerry so much!
I miss you. I miss your talks. I miss your opinions. I miss you in this time of the rise of Bret Weinstein and Jordan Peterson. I miss you in this time of the Plandemic.
We didn’t deserve as good a man as you. But we for dang sure needed you.
Jerry would like this
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inspiration4
Four years already! Still miss Dr. Pournelle’s comments and insight.
I am glad to discover this page. I have to thank you for the time I spent on this especially great reading !! I really liked each part and also bookmarked you for new information on your site.
I just wanted to comment that I read Jerry’s books, column in Byte, and his blog for years. I didn’t often agree with his politics, but I always thought it was good to read and understand if political pov nonetheless.
I miss reading well thought out contra-points like his.
He’s missed.
I wish his family and admirers their own good futures. Jerry died on my 75th birthday. His books encouraged my own military career and education in the US Navy and Army.
I am saddened to read of Mr. Pournelle’s passing. I always enjoyed reading the Chaos Manor essays in BYTE magazine. It was fun to read of his trials and tribulations.
Once BYTE ended I did wonder what he got up to and I came upon a few of his blog entries here.
Wishing the family all the best.
And I also referenced Eric Gilmer as Elmer. Geez!
I just noticed my last post said Robert passed on, I meant Roberta.
My apologies
Elmer –
I think you will find Robert has already passed on.
I thought there was a reference to that on the web site, but cannot find it.
To his family, friends and all other admirers,
I still, when some news of importance or global disturbance strikes, wonder what Dr. Pournelle would make of it. It’s a reflex I can’t shake. Then the sadness settles in all over again.
It’s difficult to visit these pages without his contributions to keep it ‘his’. I find myself unconsciously scanning for his response or analysis. I should really stop doing that. I’m very glad the site is still up, however. I hope his wife is doing well.
Dear Pournelle Family,
I was sorry to hear that the great man had passed away.
I loved his books, and his columns in Byte magazine got me through my Computer Science degree. The university library stocked Byte, which meant I spent much more time there than I otherwise would have.
More importantly, the obvious breadth of his intellect and abilities inspired me to look deeper and try harder. I was delighted years later to hear him speak on This Week in Tech. He sounded just as I imagined he would, sharp as a razor, full of energy.
What would he have made of these strange times, I wonder?
With best wishes for the future and kind regards,
William Murphy