Don Featherstone passes

[Leon]

From TMP: http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=318455

Sad news from Christopher Scott in England: "I am sorry to be the bearer of sad news but I have just heard that Don Featherstone passed away. I saw him a few weeks ago for one of his military dining club dinners and he was in good spirits but very frail. Unfortunately he had a fall and was discovered collapsed by a neighbour. He was taken into Southampton hospital and had been there a while but his general condition deteriorated. I have no other details only that he died yesterday. As I said I am so sorry to have to give you this news but thought you'd like to know."

[fsn]

Truly, this is a moment to be remembered.

Don Featherstone was one of the instigators of the golden age of wargaming. His book "War Games" opened my eyes to the the possibility of rule based playing with model soldiers, and the possibilities of periods other than WWII. I think for a generation of (now very old) wargamers, Featherstone was the face of the hobby. There was a simplicity to his gaming that was accessible. You might aspire to be Charles Grant with his beautifully painted and regimented Horse and Musket figures, but you could definitely be Don Featherstone using Airfix figures and Matchbox tanks.

Thank you, Don.

[mollinary]

I am very, very sad.  Like so many, I entered the hobby as a direct result of his wonderfully accessible books.   Books which didn't patronise, but which showed simple enthusiasm to communicate.  I also then subscribed to Wargamers Newsletter, and remember the excitement of opening the envelope and seeing those typewritten, stapled sheets with fuzzy photographs which opened a new world to me.   A lot of people will mourn his passing around the world, and  what better epitaph could you have than that?

Mollinary

[Steve J]

I didn't know he was still alive but a sad loss. Like many I entered into wargaming via his and the Airfix manuals in the early '70s.

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

Sad loss.

IanS

[Orcs]

As a young teenager i read every one of his books that I could get my hands on. His inspiration and enthusiasm was one of the main reasons I got into wargaming.   He was truly one of the main instigators of what we see today in the wargaming community.

[Fenton]

Sad passing ...Like others he introduced me to wargaming through his books...A true great for both wargaming and Southampton FC

[Chad]

Sad loss indeed. Without his book 'Wargames' I
would never have become interested in the hobby.

Chad

[Nosher]

Like so may others here my journey into wargaming was through his 'tomes'. RIP Mr F and thankyou for your vast input into the hobby

[goat major]

sad news indeed. As a kid my local library had the Wargaming Airborne Operations book which i had on almost permanent loan

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Dashed fine writer, a loss. 

[Hertsblue]

Sad news indeed. The wargaming world owes him a huge debt.

[Ithoriel]

Sorry to hear this. I'm pretty much here because of him.

Also, another icon of my youth passes - Intimations of Mortality

[old smokie]

Sad news indeed ,

I knew his late son, RIP Don

[Jubilation T Cornpone]

Last of the great pioneers. Sad to hear.