Professor Muhammad Abd-al-Rahman (MAR) Barker, known to his friends as “Phil,” died peacefully in home hospice on March 16, 2012 with his wife Ambereen Barker at his side. Professor Barker is survived by his wife of 53 years, Ambereen. Details on memorial services will follow. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Tékumel Foundation are preferred: http://www.tekumelfoundation.orgThis is, of course, very sad news. Another one of our hobby's founders has passed from this world.
For more information: http://www.tekumelfoundation.org/PressRelease-MARBARKER-1929-2012.pdf
Friday, March 16, 2012
RIP: M.A.R. Barker (1929-2012)
Victor Raymond just passed along to me the sad news that
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Sad news. RIP.
ReplyDeleteSad news, but he lead a very full, very creative life. That's he's gone is a sorrow, but he leaves behind a legacy to cherish.
ReplyDeleteWell said Anthony, RIP.
ReplyDeleteI hope he had a great ride, doing what he enjoyed.
ReplyDeleteRest in peace.
ReplyDeleteEPT was the first game I played after a bad (white box) D&D game and the second game I bought (after Traveller). Still have my original campaign map and more. A superb blend of Jack Vance, Clark Ashton Smith and more. Wonderful non-Tolkien fantasy world.
ReplyDeletetùsmiyálu brumazík asúlitùsmi.
ReplyDeleteWe should all hope to leave behind such a mark as his.
ReplyDeleteSad news indeed, that a man as clever and as creative as Professor Barker has died. His creation, Tekumel, is one of the most unique settings ever brought to fiction or RPGs, and he should be remembered as a pioneer in the field.
ReplyDeleteR.I.P We're all the poorer for his passing. :(
ReplyDeleteOh, no! Another founder passes on. Too many too soon.
ReplyDeleteSad... and sadly inevitable.
ReplyDeleteI'm thankful for what he did while he was here... and cheered to know that his work will live on.
one of the best and most distinctively original imaginations ever. r.i.p.
ReplyDeleteVale Professor!
ReplyDeletethis is sad. i was just reading through some of the different versions of the empire rpg yesterday. very cool
ReplyDeletetoo many founders passed away recently. a couple of years ago Richard Snider left us, and now Mr. Barker.
ReplyDeletei would like to leave here an impressive quote uttered by Gygax concerning Tekumel that not everyone might be aware of:
"...I simply state that it is the most beautifully done fantasy game ever created. It is difficult for me to envision the possibility of any rival being created in the future".
-E. Gary Gygax
Thank you for posting this sad news, J.M.. The fine sentiments expressed by earlier comments well and truly celebrate the good Professor's contributions . Thank you for posting the link to contribute to The Tékumel Foundation.
ReplyDeleteR. I. P. Professor Barker! Thanks for all the great sessions of gaming and hours of entertaining reading EPT inspired! Condolences to Prof. Barkers family and friends.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to see that his legacy will go on via the Tékumel Foundation! Thankfully, the various editions of Empire(and other EPT materials) are officially available from Tita's House of Games for new fans to discover this amazing and compelling fantasy world. I wish *I* had became conversant with EPT more recently... :-(
Thanks for the notification and link, James.