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In Memory

People who shaped who I became, and who are no longer here to read what they made possible.

These are tributes to people who mattered. Family, mentors, friends, colleagues, and the occasional stranger whose kindness or example landed in my life at the right moment. Some I knew for decades. Some I knew for an afternoon. All of them left something behind that's still working on me.

Writing tributes is its own kind of work. It's not about getting the obituary facts right. It's about saying what the person actually meant, while there's still someone left who remembers the specifics. The longer I do this, the more I think it's one of the most important things a writer can do.

If you've lost someone and you're thinking about writing a tribute of your own, these may be useful as examples of how it can be done. Not the only way. Just one writer's attempts to do the people justice.

Trader Joes John ShieldsPeople

John Shields

A tribute to John Shields, CEO of Trader Joe's from 1988 to 2001. He gave his people real freedom, backed their judgment, and was one of the greats.

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MercyPeople

Mercy Tribute

Remembering Mercy, a belly dancer with the Ujam troupe who lit up every faire and stage with energy and a constant smile. Always dancing, always happy. RIP.

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USS OahuPeople

Frank Hoeffer II

A tribute to my grandfather, Frank Hoeffer, Navy cook and WWII prisoner of war for three years and four months. He came home and never let anyone leave hungry again.

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Robert HeinlienPeople

Robert Heinlein

A reader's honest tribute to Robert Heinlein. Stranger in a Strange Land found me at twelve, and The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress is the one I've reread a dozen times.

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Isaac AsimovPeople

Isaac Asimov

A reader's tribute to Isaac Asimov, author of I, Robot and Foundation, who shaped my love of science fiction from age eight. Nearly 500 books, one doorway in.

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