Just recieved word that Rick Loomis lost his struggle with cancer.
Rick Loomis, founder of Flying Buffalo, was one of the earliest forces behind the gaming hobby that would eventually evolve into MMORPG’s. Flying Buffalo not only popularized many Play By Mail games, it also published Tunnels & Trolls, one of the earliest RPG’s (together with Dungeons & Dragons) and best known for being a more whimsical approach to Fantasy Gaming than D&D. Whenever a Giant Space Hamster appears, whenever a Flumph enters Equestria, one could claim that it to an extend owes a debt to that game.
Tunnels & Trolls and PBM games weren’t the only games Loomis was involved in. Nuclear War, more omnious when it appeared than nowadays perhaps, was from his hands, and on trade and game fairs he often took the time to play it with you.
Last but certainly not least, Grimtooth and his wicked traps (half a dozen or so books of them!) were from Flying Buffalo, an inspiration for many a Game Master.
I personally had the fortune of meeting him in one of his rare visits to the Netherlands, at the Games Spectacular in Eindhoven. He was a nice guy, very open and soft-spoken, but with the twinkle in his eye of childlike wonder even at an advanced age. Still have his signed calling card, a token of sweet memories of a time gone by.
Farewell dear Rick, you were an inspiration to many. May you rest in peace .