Bob Bledsaw
Bob was a really, really great guy. I mean aside from the fact that he was one of the very small circle of people who really made this hobby and the game of D&D what it is and what so many people love (again, check out Gary Gygax's opening comments in the Players Handbook and Dungeon Masters Guide from 1st edition if you want to know who the main contributors were to the early days of the movement). But, aside from all of that, and the worlds and characters that he helped to create which have delighted so many for so long and will continue to do so for years, Bob was just a really nice person. He was always positive as opposed to negative, always inclusive as opposed to exclusive, always encouraging, always humble, always a leader in a "hey, let's go, we can do it!" kind of way. He was always trying to find a way to make something good happen, as opposed to finding every excuse in the book for why we shouldn't do something. He was a silver-lining kind of guy. And, yes, he was a gamer.
Aside from the whole RPG business, people like Bob make the world a better place. I am deeply saddened at his passing, and I also extend my condolences to his family and close friends. I will miss his encouragement and guidance, and I will miss having the comfortable knowledge that, even after all of these years, he was still down there in Decatur, cranking out good ideas and starting up projects. He has inspired a great many people, including myself. And I liked the fact that he always ended his e-mails with: "Your friend, Bob".
God Bless, Bob. Rest in peace, my friend.
Your Friend, Steve
Steve Stottrup
Chicago