Dave Sutherland dead at 66

Steve Miller · Post by **Steve Miller** » Thu Jun 09, 2005 11:16 am

This is sad news for me. Dave Sutherland was the BEST and most creative cartographer I worked with during my time at TSR. He helped me understand how to do better map sketches for them to work with, and he taught me alot about mapping and art in general.

I never knew him socially, but from what I've heard from those who did, that is my great loss.

Another giant has fallen, and in a field with as short a memory and attention span as the RPG business, it will probably go with barely a notice.

There's an obit on my message board that's abreviated and revised from a post to Gary Gygax's mailing list: http://p075.ezboard.com/fstevemillersba ... =336.topic

Joël of the FoS · Post by **Joël of the FoS** » Thu Jun 09, 2005 11:31 am

Sad day indeed.

His Ravenloft maps were simply the coolest ever made in the 2nd edition era, all settings considered.

I moved the topic from the Dark Beyond board to this board.

Joël

Jasper · Post by **Jasper** » Thu Jun 09, 2005 12:53 pm

This seems fitting-

The Empty Chair
Eulogy for a Gamer

There is an empty chair,
at the table this day.
A hallowed place where,
a friend once played.
The roll of his dice,
my ears long to hear.
Or perhaps it would suffice,
if he should suddenly appear.
With character sheet in hand,
and a bag of Cheeze-doodles to share.
All his friends would stand,
as he sat in the empty chair.
I hear his voice a-callin’,
and it ties my heart in a knot.
For he cries, “Though a comrade has fallen,
You must play for those who cannot.”
We conquered worlds on the run,
he and I in the name of fun.
And as others may come and go,
I make both both friend and foe.
But what I long for most,
is our past now long a ghost.

Via con dios Dave

Klaus · Post by **Klaus** » Thu Jun 09, 2005 1:49 pm

David's art is the reason why my first RPG character was a paladin (guess which picture inspired me).

Like I said over at EN World, he's gone off to map Heaven.

And BTW, Steve, he was 56.

Bluebomber4evr · Post by **Bluebomber4evr** » Thu Jun 09, 2005 2:31 pm

The game has lost one its greats. His maps, particularly those in the original I6: Ravenloft, were nothing less than inspired. I doubt we'll ever see anything at his level of cartography in the game again. He will be missed.

Joël of the FoS · Post by **Joël of the FoS** » Thu Jun 09, 2005 2:58 pm

Cool post Jasper, and idea, Klaus (Dave's off mapping heaven).

Klaus wrote:David's art is the reason why my first RPG character was a paladin (guess which picture inspired me).

It must be the 1st ed PHB a paladin hell drawing? It inspired one of good friends too.

Joël

Steve Miller · Post by **Steve Miller** » Fri Jun 10, 2005 2:02 am

2005 minus 1949... yeah, that would be 56.

My math-skills aren't what they should....

Desertrising · Post by **Desertrising** » Sun Jun 12, 2005 1:07 am

I remember starring at some of his pictures and maps for hours when I was a kid. Man having him gone is sad and he will be missed. Thank you Steve for letting us know that such a great person in the feild is gone. Let us all remember that he was one of the ones who allowed us to do what we do today.

Sir T · Post by **Sir T** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 1:36 am

I found a list of his roleplaying game credits here. I don't know if its totally complete (looks complete to me) but I'm sure others can point out any errors in this.

http://www.pen-paper.net/rpgdb.php?op=s ... atorid=507

Manofevil · Post by **Manofevil** » Thu Jun 16, 2005 1:27 am

Damn! He sure got around. What a list. Not surprising he didn't live as long as most. I wonder if he didn't burn himself out.

JinnTolser · Post by **JinnTolser** » Thu Jun 16, 2005 8:51 pm

A long and impressive resumé. Very sad to see such a prolific cartographer pass away. Lord knows Ravenloft could use some more mapping these days...

Café de Nuit

Welcome, friends, to our establishment.

Dave Sutherland dead at 66

Dave Sutherland dead at 66