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Gentlemen

Just wanted to interrupt discussions for a moment to report the passing of a great friend of us all, although unknown to many of you here.

My partner in helping John Tiller create many/most of these titles, certainly all of the maps and many hundred scenarios, Dave "Blackie" Blackburn, has passed away quietly in his sleep with Lung Cancer.

Blackie was a great friend and partner who touched many lives, including all of yours.

I recall an email from him once after a long day map making, where he said, "Glenn, I need to take a break .....I looked up and saw hexes on the cat"

I know Blackie was proud of the work complied over the years. He was a very private man who told none of his cyber friend that he was even sick. We are all in shock with the news.

You will be missed my friend. Rest peacefully!

Regards
Glenn Saunders 
......of "Saunders and Blackie" scenarios and games.

This is a gigantic loss to the community.. He and his work will be sorely missed. May he rest in peace.

I had the good fortune to meet Blackie a couple times. A gentleman and just a great person to know. I am saddened by this news and my thoughts are with him and his family.

Very, very sad news, as Glenn says the long list of "Saunders and Blackie" scenarios in our DB is testament to his contribution to this community.

Our thoughts go out to his family at this difficult time.

Blackie will be missed by many. In addition to meeting at the Tillercons in addition to exchanges of emails and all, he and his wife visited my family and me in Colorado when they were here once. A great person, my son who was fairly young talks about the visit to this day.

Rick

I never met him but I sure played a lot of his work. The hundreds of hours of enjoyment it brought me is deeply appreciated. His family and loved ones are in my thoughts.

Wow ... this man brought a lot of joy to folks with his great scenarios.

Best wishes and thoughts out to his family and may he rest well ...

I never met the man but he certainly contributed to our addiction, I mean hobby. While we will miss him, my thoughts are with his friends and family...

Dave has contributed all the maps in every Tiller title I'm aware of including the latest in Panzer Battles Normandy. As Glenn mentioned he also created scenarios and his and Glenn's collaboration resulted in the highest volume of titles, Tiller has published since 2000. Dave also single handedly drove the conversion of many games across to the iOS and Android platforms, they would not have been made available without Dave's dedication.

Dave's passing is a huge loss for us in terms of our hobby, but my deepest condolences go to his family - my thoughts are with them today.

David

I too have never had the pleasure of meeting Dave... but have enjoyed playing many of his works in both the PzC and CS game series. My thoughts, prayers, and condolences to his family. May he rest in peace.