In the recent issue of COMICS & GAMES RETAILEr I unexpectedly saw a familiar name:
Charles B. Craine ...better known to some of us as Chuck Craine died within the past few months.
He was a president at Ral Partha miniatures for several years and he also was a major force in getting local gaming conventions happening.
When I was a teenager and just getting into RPGs - most of my older friends and aquaintances that were into gaming were friends of Chuck or had played in a miniatures or RPG game that he was a part of.
When I get back from work today I'll post more of the details.
- Ed C.
I don't mean to diminish your announcement, but there seem to be an awful lot of deaths in the hobby lately. It's kind of strange. Seems like the first generation of gamers (a lot of which are the "fathers" of our hobby) are getting to a venerable age. Sad, and is a strange reminder of ones own mortality.
The more complete version:
QuoteRal Partha founder Charles B. Crain III dies
Charles B. Crain III, a founder of Ral Partha industries in 1975, died Aug. 23 of complications due to congestive heart failure. He was 56.
In the mid-1980s, when Ral Partha was faced with financial crisis, Crain became president until he stepped aside in the early-1990s to remain CEO with responsibility for the factory, art, and sculpting departments. During his tenure as president, Crain was the lead negotiator when Ral Partha obtained the license to produce miniatures for Advanced Dungeons & Dragons and other TSR products. He was also Art Director for the Battletech miniatures line.
Crain is survived by his wife Leah, his daughter Kathryn, his son Daniel, his brother David, his sister Jennifer, and his granddaughter Abigail.
I just knew him as Chuck Crain, who seemed to be friends of all the older gamers back when I was a teenager.
- Ed C.