Sad News
Late last week the field of Science Fiction lost a wonderful, creative mind and those of us who knew him lost a good friend, a kind and gracious gentleman. Fred Saberhagen died on Friday after a valiant battle with cancer. Fred created the Berserkers and his creativity was constantly mined by Hollywood without him ever being rewarded appropriately. He also wrote the wonderful Holmes Dracula Files and my favorite book of his, THE VEILS OF AZLAROC.
Weeks ago Joan and Fred opened their home for a party to celebrate his life and to give his friends an opportunity to see him and say goodbye. We were all remembering how we lost Roger Zelazny, and there wasn’t time for a lot of people to get to see him before he died. We held Roger’s wake at the Saberhagen’s home, and there was a feeling we didn’t want that to happen again. Pat Rogers, an active fan in the New Mexico community, and a close friend to Fred and Joan had the idea of an open house. I couldn’t blog about this event before now out of respect for Joan and Fred’s privacy. And please, folks, continue to honor Joan’s need for a quiet time with her family.
Fred planned everything for this event. He prepared the guest list and he sat in an easy chair in the front room while people came by and visited with him. For me it was an opportunity for me to thank Fred for my life. Here’s what I mean by that — years ago I was an attorney working in a corporate law firm in Albuquerque. I was miserable, felt trapped and desperate, and my best friend, Vic Milan invited me a group autographing at a local mall. After the signing Fred and Joan held a BBQ. Vic brought me along, and I wandered through the rooms eavesdropping on amazing conversations — about archeology, and how to create believable aliens, and witty commentary on current events, and I thought these are the most interesting people I have ever met and _I want to beone of them_.
That, and Vic’s encouragement led me to writing and ultimately from quitting the law firm and trying to make a go as a writer. So, you see, Fred gave me my life and I will be forever grateful to him.
Melinda
July 3rd, 2007 at 7:58 am
[…] but so many other writers as well. In the next few days you’ll probably see more than a few authors blog about how Fred Saberhagen inspired or influenced their own careers. I mourn the novels never […]
July 3rd, 2007 at 9:07 am
Though not unexpected, it is still very sad to lose Fred. He was a delightful gentleman. My deepest sympathies go out to Joan and their family. I feel your loss, Melinda.
July 3rd, 2007 at 10:08 am
I am so, so grateful that Emily took me to Bubonicon during my first visit, and I got to spend time talking to Fred. In a burst of fanboy gushing, I thanked him for a lifetime of wonderful work.
How many times do we get to tell our idols that? Thanks for spending your life making me happy? Not very often.