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Friday, March 16, 2012

RIP: M.A.R. Barker (1929-2012)

Victor Raymond just passed along to me the sad news that
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.org

For more information: http://www.tekumelfoundation.org/PressRelease-MARBARKER-1929-2012.pdf
This is, of course, very sad news. Another one of our hobby's founders has passed from this world.
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18 comments:

  1. DanMarch 16, 2012 at 3:50 PM

    Sad news. RIP.

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  2. AnthonyMarch 16, 2012 at 3:53 PM

    Sad 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.

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  3. AnonymousMarch 16, 2012 at 3:56 PM

    Well said Anthony, RIP.

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  4. GeffylMarch 16, 2012 at 4:22 PM

    I hope he had a great ride, doing what he enjoyed.

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  5. Paul WeimerMarch 16, 2012 at 4:31 PM

    Rest in peace.

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  6. Frederick Paul Kiesche IIIMarch 16, 2012 at 4:44 PM

    EPT 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.

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  7. MysteryChefMarch 16, 2012 at 5:05 PM

    tùsmiyálu brumazík asúlitùsmi.

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  8. Gene SollowsMarch 16, 2012 at 5:52 PM

    We should all hope to leave behind such a mark as his.

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  9. pookieMarch 16, 2012 at 6:11 PM

    Sad 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.

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  10. RagnardbardMarch 16, 2012 at 6:12 PM

    R.I.P We're all the poorer for his passing. :(

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  11. Gordon CooperMarch 16, 2012 at 6:24 PM

    Oh, no! Another founder passes on. Too many too soon.

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  12. Timmy CrabcakesMarch 16, 2012 at 7:01 PM

    Sad... and sadly inevitable.
    I'm thankful for what he did while he was here... and cheered to know that his work will live on.

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  13. JMarch 16, 2012 at 8:25 PM

    one of the best and most distinctively original imaginations ever. r.i.p.

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  14. Reverance PavaneMarch 16, 2012 at 9:06 PM

    Vale Professor!

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  15. Jeremy "frothsof" SmithMarch 16, 2012 at 11:00 PM

    this is sad. i was just reading through some of the different versions of the empire rpg yesterday. very cool

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  16. Philosophical slumberMarch 17, 2012 at 7:55 AM

    too many founders passed away recently. a couple of years ago Richard Snider left us, and now Mr. Barker.

    i 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

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  17. Jay DuggerMarch 17, 2012 at 9:42 AM

    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.

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  18. velaranMarch 17, 2012 at 1:17 PM

    R. 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.

    I'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.

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