Members in Memoriam
Honoring Those Who Have Gone Before Us
The Memorial Page for Those Who Have Gone Before Us is now being actively worked on. We are compiling a list of known passings from prior club records, but we could sure use your help.
The records of our former fen’s departures are spotty in some cases and any details you want to provide would be valued. Please contact us any information you have on the birthdates, place and date of passing and any circumstances you would like to include. Thank you all for your help!
Franklin Waller
June 23, 1957 – July 22, 2023. As reported by Kristine Cherry, Franklin Waller passed away in his home Saturday, July 22nd, 2023 from natural causes.
Marty Cantor
April 30th, 2023. As Chaz Bosten Baden reported on his Facebook page April 30th, 2023:
Greg Bilan
Circa December 23rd, 2022. As noted by Matthew Tepper on December 23rd, 2022:
It is my sad duty to forward the following missive that I received today from Steve Bilan:
“Hello, This e-mail is to inform you of the status of a longtime member of LASFS, Greg Bilan. Unfortunately, Greg has passed away recently. I hope that those who knew him, say a small prayer. And thanks to LASFS for being a big part of his life. He loved the club.”
October 20th, 2022. Nola Frame-Gray’s husband Louis Elver Warren Grey, passed away yesterday after he fell a couple of weeks ago. He was in hospice, but was allowed to go home where died in his sleep.
Edward Hooper & Louis Elver Gray
December 4th, 2022. From George Hooper, Edward Hooper’s brother.
“Early this morning, my younger brother, Edward Hooper, passed into the fullness of eternal life. He was in the hospital and receiving excellent care. He had a DNR order in place and was on a heart monitor. His heartbeat was irregular and they were preparing to perform an EKG when his heart stopped beating. I will share more details as they become available. Please share this information with the many wonderful communities of which he was a part. I want to extend special words of thanks to Jim and Mandy Thomas, Kathy Hooper, and the others who reached out to him and helped to get him settled after his most recent move.”
Michael Thorsen
November 5th, 2022. We received an update from Michael’s brother on November 5th. “I am sad to report that my brother, Michael Thorsen passed away at Mission Community Hospital at 11:55 am this morning.
Michael did not have a church home in California, so there isn’t really a plan for a memorial service through that avenue. The people in LA that he was closest with were your club members — if you folks are inclined to organize something, my son and I would love to participate.”
Eylat Poliner has volunteered to arrange a Zoom memorial. Details will be made available here on the website as soon as they are known.
We were contacted by Michael Thorsen’s brother Jeff. Mike has been hospitalized since September 22.
He told us that if any of our members are so inclined, Michael would welcome visitors at the rehab facility.
Please feel free to contact Jeff for further information and visiting hours.
-Jeff Thorsen (Jefftey@aol.com)
Eric Hoffman
May 23, 1944 – August 26, 2022. Dennis Fischer posted on Friday, August 26th: “Friends of Eric Hoffman, I have some bad news for you. There was a fire recently at Eric’s house and he was caught in it. He’s currently in the ICU of a hospital and is not expected to survive. He will be missed by his many friends, Whovians, Svengoolians, convention-goers, and others who knew him through his many kindnesses.”
He then posted on Saturday, August 27th: “Eric L. Hoffman passed away at 7:45 a.m. today. He is survived by a brother.”
Eric Hoffman joined LASFS on July 15, 1975.
Karl Lembke
September 30, 1960 – May 15, 2022. Original Memorial date was Sunday, August 7th, 2022. (click here for details)
Virtual Online Memorial for Karl Lembke for those who couldn’t make it to the August 7th event. (details here)
Friends of the LASFS
There are a few that are of particular note that are so well-known to members of the LASFS that they need to be mentioned.
Calvin "Cal" Cotton
1948-2014. Known to Loscon goers as The Hornsmythe, Cal and his wife Theresa were in the Dealer’s Room many, many years, selling wonderful wares and trinkets to its members. He was beloved by all and deeply missed. (click on link to view/download the memorial booklet tribute to his life)
William B. Ellern & Anne Morrel
WILLIAM B. ELLERN (1933-2023). Author, engineer and longtime LASFS member William B. Ellern died November 18. His daughter Jill made the announcement on Facebook.
With the permission of E. E. “Doc” Smith he extended the Lensman series. His first published story was “Moon Prospector” in Analog (1966). Later, “New Lensman” was serialized in 14 parts in Perry Rhodan #61-74 (1975) and “Triplanetary Agent” was serialized in 6 parts in Perry Rhodan #100-105 (1978).
Ellern worked as an engineer for JPL, Raytheon, Boeing, Hughes Aircraft and Northrop Corporation.
He was a member of the Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society board of directors for decades, ending his service in 2009.
He was married to Anne Morrel for 30 years; she predeceased him in 2015.
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