Monday, September 22, 2014

Passing of Allen Curtis - Author of Hannibal and the Punic Wars (WAB)

Many of you may have already seen this announced on various internet sites, including TMP. I found out this morning when visiting the Wargames, Soldiers and Strategies site where Guy Bowers posted an announcement.
Although I never met Allen in person, I became acquainted with him about a decade ago when I first visited TMP. We communicated on that site, as well as off line too. We discovered that we had been assigned to the same Army installation at the same time way back when. This was in 1980 when I was going through Basic Training at Fort Knox, KY. He had been a company commander in a sister company at the very same time. He was friends with the CO of my company - and they had stayed in touch over the years too. I considered Allen a buddy too.

Anyway, I just felt that Allen's contributions to the hobby should be recognized; even in a very small way here. He will be sorely missed.

23 comments:

  1. Sad news Dean... I certainly recall Allan's characterful dialogue over the WAB yahoo groups & forums, back when I was still active there, though its been a while with the demise of Warhammer Historical... RIP Allan.

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    1. Hard to accept, as he was still in his prime - both intellectually and age. Best, Dean

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  2. This is a lovely tribute Dean. My condolences to Allen's family and his friends.

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    1. Thanks, Anne. Just a little farewell to someone who touched so many in our community. Regards, Dean

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  3. A sad day indeed Dean. Like you I never met Allen, but spoke to him via email and on the WAB forum. He'll be sadly missed.
    RIP

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    1. Indeed so, Ray. Allen was never one not to correspond with people in the community. He was always willing to share his vast knowledge - the answers strongly defended and candid:)! Regards, Dean

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  4. I had some entertaining correspondence with him too over the years. His intelligence and knowledge will be missed. I will dedicate my new Carthaginian period Roman army to him!

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    1. That would be a great tribute to Allen's memory!

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  5. Seems like similar story with me as well Dean. I also met him back in the WAB days via the internet and also served in armour in the US army and went through Ft. Knox for basic training. A very colourful person with strong opinions with a deep knowledge of his interested subjects. He will be missed by many. RIP Allen.

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    1. Christopher: Allen's fiery personality was great for taking care of troops and getting the mission, but likely clashed with the higher-highers. We'll have to meet him after going over Agony, Misery and Heartbreak once again. Regards, Dean

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  6. I never met him or corresponded with him other than through forums, but his post were always interesting, informative and witty and his untimely death did come as a shock. I still have a copy of Hannibal and the Punic Wars which I find to be a good reference book even though I stopped playing WAB some time ago. I will miss his contribution to the hobby.

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    1. Steve: I don't play as much WAB anymore either, but Allen's book is so full of great background and details, that it will continue to be a great reference. In fact, as it was posted by someone on TMP, Allen's personality runs through the book too. Regards, Dean

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  7. It's astonishing how many of us he did correspond with! I also met him on TMP, but never, alas, in the flesh. He has had quite a big influence on several of my modelling projects and at one time we did a lot of transatlantic swapping. Will be greatly missed.

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    1. Someone taken too early from us, Simon. Makes me think how short, unexpectedly sometimes, our time here together on earth is. Allen is one of those folks I had hoped to meet someday - and even game with (albeit like sage and novice). Best, Dean

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  8. I remember him answering questions for me yeas ago when I first starte in the hobby. Sorely missed.

    FMB

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    1. I can't think of anyone he wouldn't have answered - sometimes not the answer expected :)! Best, Dean

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  9. Sad news indeed Dean! His Hannibal supplement was a great book and his posts on TMP and elsewhere were always entertaining.

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    1. Too true! A great loss for the community. Best, Dean

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  10. Sad news - I never met Mr Curtis in person but was schooled by hom a few times on TMP - I always liked his direct style and he was certainly passionate about our hobby

    My condolences to his family

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    1. Heheheh, nice way to put that, Miles - He "schooled" many - which I particularly enjoyed reading on TMP back in the day. Yes, he leaves behind a family - including two little ones I am aware of. Warm regards, Dean

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  11. LOL, re schooling, he never was a fan of either "Caeser" or the Roman "Legionnaire"! ;-)

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    1. I always loved his spelling corrections for Carthaginians - made me always remember how it was spelled :)!

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  12. Someone I know said the other day "I hate logging onto the net these days; it seems every day now there is news of someone passing too soon"

    Very much the case with Mr. Curtis. A sad day. May he rest in peace.

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