“Wargaming is calling and I must go”

                                                    William "Bill" Pritchard

I cannot believe it’s been a year since Bill’s passing, just days before Doc. Once again this post was started and left unfinished to find pictures and the right words to commemorate a friend. While looking through the 20 or so started but unfinished blog entries I came across this un-posted post. 

But, better late than never....

It is with sadness that I must report the passing of one of our own friends and club members. Bill Pritchard passed away this afternoon (8/13/2019) after a long hard battle with multiple medical issues and being in and out of healthcare facilities for treatments. Sadly his wife is NOT going to have any kind of ceremony here in Fl. or in Mass. May I suggest we honor him at our next club game this coming August 24th. 

Bill was a voracious gamer and collector with many historical interest, his favorite being the American War of Independence, being raised in Mass. He collected all manor of military memorabilia and had (2) large collections of toys, one in Mass and one here in Florida. I'd known Bill for many a year as we had met at a Historicon some umpteen years ago. He collected, painted, and ran games despite his hearing loss from an illness as a very young man. We had collaborated on many games and were working on one just before he passed away. He'd sent me the map and scenario ideas for the game we were planning and which I will formalize and run at an upcoming HMGS-South Convention at an Orlando / Kissimmee venue in his honor. 

He lived for wargaming and the times he got to spend with his friends and club mates around a games table.

Bill entertained us with his lengthy and witty replies to any and all correspondences, his digital salutation always being “Wargaming is calling, and I must go.”

We will miss you Bill.

Best regards,

Jeff Baumal

Another Loss....Bob Doc Gallagher

Late last year we had lost another friend!

I started this post many moons ago, it languished while I decided to add some pictures of Doc and his games. Then as usual, real life got in the way and I never posted it. My aplogies Doc, you definitely deserved better! Below is the blog entry from one of his friends and clubmemners from the JDL. His words are way more eloquent and expressive than I could hope to do...

The Just Dice League

Recently the Lakeland Original Chapter of the League lost a member and dear friend. Doc was one of the first to “take the black” as a founding member of the JDLLO. He was also a Navy veteran and the very definition of a “renaissance man”. It was truly an honor to post the banner by his games knowing we were made better because of his skill crafting some of the most popular games at the HMGS-S conventions and beyond.

He was also one of my most important mentors. I learned much from him about the mechanics of running large games, choosing/tweaking rule systems for conventions and always focusing on the two, important goals: keep it moving and keep it fun. Watching him react to the players’ choices and mold the scenario off the cuff was always a treat. The personal touch he put on games such as “It Came From Beyond the Still”, which was already rooted in the delightfully bizarre, was a testament to both his creativity and humor.

Probably the best evidence of his GM’ing ability was how much fun people had playing some of the most cutthroat games you could possibly host. Whether it was the “sudden, but inevitable betrayal” of an “ally” in Pig Wars or a crowd of people chanting “10, 10, 10…” in hopes of your demise racing in the Circus Crapeous, you couldn’t help but laugh. Even as your prized pig was stolen or your chariot crashed spectacularly before you even made the first turn you loved every second. That was Doc’s magic.

To simply say he will be missed is to understate the sorrow so many feel knowing they won’t get to sit at his table at Hurricon in a few weeks. It’s devastating loss to the gaming community at large and a personal loss for many that will always hold him dear. You can be sure there will be many of us sharing stories from one of his games, like the time he convinced my wife to attack me with a bear. Or the pride I felt when I FINALLY made the first turn in my chariot…only to be felled by the second turn. Or the look of utter confusion on all first time players of Pig Wars as they realize that their fellow Vikings are standing over their dead miniatures splitting up the loot they had worked so hard to secure (or the smile that soon followed as they accepted the nature of the game and looked forward to their second game).

Doc: you are remembered, missed and loved. Until we meet again, game well my friend.

MR CUPCAKE
Lakeland Original

I was fortunate to count both as friends and I will miss both.  The main reason I enjoy our hobby so much is the camaraderie.  Our shows are important to me as it is the only time I see many of you.  It is a lesson to me not to take any of you for granted.

Marc R

(8/19/20)

Doc is another one of those gamers and peole that always made you feel comfortable and was a pleasure to be around. His tables were always well attended, his games big fun, and memerable. As Marc and others have stated, it's the people that make this hobby as great as it is. I always loved playing in Doc's "Pig Wars Games" and it was one of my nust do's every convention. You are sadly missed my friend.

Untill we meet again. Rest easy Doc.

Sgt. Guinness

Goodbye my friend....Rob Hall

It is with great sadness that I must advise of the passing of a close friend and club mate Mr. Rob Hall who left us this past Friday (1/31/20) late afternoon. He had been battling liver cancer for the past few months after successfully coming back from a stroke a few years ago. Rob was a good friend, a good person, and a great guy to game with. He was an avid gamer and historian who loved the horse and musket period. He worked for the railroad the majority of his adult life. I will surly miss him, his dry humor and wry wit. We will cherish the many memories of epic games, road trips, fun cons, Tajicon games, and the camaraderie of SMG games in Bill's Garage.
Rob was the kind of guy that would literally give you the shirt off his back, A kind, funny, unselfish, warm soul who was a pleasure to be around. He was always willing to help with a project, assist in running games and loved to be around his friends talking history and gaming. I don't think I'd ever heard him utter a negative word about anyone.

Below are just a few of the many comments I'd received when I posted the notice of Rob's passing to our SMG club mates ( the South-Florida Miniature Gamers). He was also a member of HMGS-South, HMGS-East, and the Jacksonville Garrison. He will be missed by many.

Rest in Peace my friend.....

I count Rob among my true friends. Rob gamed with our group in South Florida even though he had to drive all the way from Jacksonville. He always arrived at our home with a bottle of wine for Barbara and a bottle of scotch for me. He was always invited to stay, but always booked a hotel as he did not want us to be disturbed by his snoring. Rob accompanied me to Historicon, Cold Wars and Fall In countless times. He assisted me in running my games for many years at these conventions and both Recon and Hurricon. I drove up to Jacksonville, and stayed with he and his wife Robin prior to leaving for Lancaster, PA or other parts North.  He was always a pleasure to be around. Rob leaves a huge empty spot in our gaming community. My friend Vince and I were able to visit Rob a few weeks ago. He was still hoping to get in one more "big game" before he left us. I hope to have the opportunity to raise a glass in his honor at Recon as a group. He is truly missed.

Bill Moreno

Good times and great memories of our friend Rob.  Thank you Vince for being there for us. 

Tim Harwood

So typical of Rob to not let on the issues he was having.  Always the gentleman he made it a point each convention to seek me out and let me know how much he enjoyed the efforts and the convention.  For me the comradeship we enjoy is over half the fun.  I will truly miss Rob.  I have the feeling we have one heck of a great convention brewing in heaven.  

Marc R

Well said Jeff.  Rob was one of the good guys.  And a lot of fun to be around for his love of history and the game.  R/ Jim

He will be missed. We were blessed with his presence for too short of a time, in our gaming club.

Duane Cunningham

Dear Jeff and All Wargamers:

A true loss – an absolute gentleman and raconteur; we will all miss his entertaining dry wit.

Bill Mcintyre