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Thursday, July 7, 2016

Steven Russell, Rite Publishing, Has Passed too Soon



The news of Steven Russell's passing made it's way to me early in the evening yesterday. It took me a few moments to digest the news and even then I didn't want to believe it and needed to confirm it with an actual online new story, which I did.

And I still didn't want to believe it.

I first got to know Steve with his early patronage projects. He was basically doing Kickstarter before Kickstarter was a thing, and he did it well. Communications weren't just top notch, they were personal. I remember bouncing a handful of emails back and forth with Steve while backing one of those early projects, but I'll be damned if I can find them or remember the details. I just remember how it felt to actually talk with a creator of games so freely and easily. It felt good.

When the Kickstarter for Lords of Gossamer & Shadow was in the works we exchanged a few emails. I was excited to see someone take up the threads of the Amber RPG and breath new life into a system that was too important to be forgotten.

And now he's gone.

I regret not knowing the man better than I did and consider myself blessed for the contact we did have.

There will be a gathering in his memory during Gen Con in Indy in August. Wish I could go. Details are on Facebook for those that knew him.


8 comments:

  1. It was a terrible shock and a terrible loss for all family, friends, and the industry as a whole.

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  2. Very sad indeed. Best wishes to his family.

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  3. Very sad indeed. Best wishes to his family.

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  4. I am shocked and saddened by Steve's loss, he was such a good guy and a distant friend.

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  5. Thank you for sharing! There is a fund that people can help support his family here: https://www.gofundme.com/2d5qnes

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  6. Seems like he left the world a better place than he found it. Thoughts are with his friends and family.

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