Tucker Tribute
August 3 - 5, 2001
Tucker Tribute (see the webpage from Kansas City SF organization)
was a very special gathering, for people who love Mr. Wilson Tucker. People came literally from coast to coast, to gather at his hometown, to honor "Tucker" and show their gratitude.
Most people were there because of Tucker's many decades of fandom work, play, and fun, bringing together fans and conventions.I never knew of those decades of fandom, until two years ago. So the only reason I would travel to Bloomington IL was to meet (again) the author of my favorite adventure novel, This Witch (among his other excellent novels). Read about my first meeting, on my ConQuesT30 webpage.
Keith Stokes has posted pages of great Tucker Tribute shots, and all I used was a crummy disposable box camera --- but I have decided to post a few snapshots anyway, that no one else seemed to capture. By the way, they look great on my PC and monitor, but on older monitors outside, the photos look really dark!
Relaxing at our poolside table, Friday afternoon.
Ray Beam, Mr. Wilson "Bob" Tucker, and Jon Stopa.Ray Beam (yeah, that's really his name!!!) just recently retired as Pres of First Fandom (i.e. science fiction fans from pre-1940). He has been a friend of Tucker for many decades.
Dave and Judy (Tucker) Mays around our poolside table.
Judy is Tucker's daughter. Note the t-shirt she made for herself (and five more for her three brothers, mom, and dad). Dave is wearing "The Legends" shirt from a past convention, honoring Tucker, Bradbury, Harryhausen, Ackerman, and J. Schwartz (publisher of Superman etc etc).
Saturday afternoon, during book-signing festivities.
Tucker with son Bruce, daughter-in-law Lori, and grandsons Zack (in colorful shirt) and Danny (in checkered shirt).
Saturday evening chow-down, er, Tribute Banquet, under the dome.
Cathy Tener pins a flower on Tucker's lapel, Saturday evening.
Carol Doms looks with suspicion (Carol, it's just a box camera, honest!).
Robin Wayne Bailey ( a great writer) and wife Diana.
Melissa in a pretty blue dress, with mom Joan Knappenberger.
Oh no! Somebody -- I forget who -- got hold of my camera and caught me! Was it Carole D?
Debbie and Dr. Donald Love (yeah, THE REAL Dr. Love!)
Flo-and-MO i.e. Florence Achenbach and Mike (Missouri) Smith.
At the Tribute formal ceremonies, Roger "Pinky" Tener says a few words.
Note the infamous symbol of Tucker's presence (the Jim Beam bottle)!!
Keith Stokes (still our hero, as Nancy/Cleo says) presents a Proclamation (see closeup photo at J White's website)
Fern can't believe this evening (but Tucker and Roger applaud).~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Sunday, a bunch of us sat around.
Trying to recall a previous, personal tribute like this.
A gathering, at a hometown, to honor someone, just for being.
Bradbury? (Not that we can recall.)
Asimov? (No.)
Heinlein? (Good Lord!!! NO!!!!)
There have been lots of Hugo & Campbell convenings, of course.
Many and/or great authors have been given ceremonial tributes at those.
Official hometown ceremonials, even (like the one for Heinlein).
None of us could recall anything like this happening, ever before.
