| WaltOHara | 02 Apr 2015 8:45 a.m. PST |
As some of you have been hearing, Pat Condray was in an accident yesterday and passed away from his injuries early this morning. His loss is tragic and especially hard in the wake of so many hobby giants passing just before him. I've written a short appreciation of Pat here, with some details of the accident: link Rest in Peace, Pat, and prayers for the extended Condray family. V/R Walt O'Hara |
| Rogues1 | 02 Apr 2015 8:53 a.m. PST |
Thanks Walt. I spent quite a bit of time at Cold Wars talking to Pat and meeting his grandson. That is a real tragedy. This is another big loss for the hobby. |
| mad monkey 1 | 02 Apr 2015 8:53 a.m. PST |
Crap. Rest in peace my friend. |
| Historicalgamer | 02 Apr 2015 9:01 a.m. PST |
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| Winston Smith | 02 Apr 2015 9:02 a.m. PST |
I never really met him, but I did play in a game he ran at a HMGS convention. Looking back, it was a "bucket list" game.
It was a Spanish Civil War game. I signed up because I had never played in that period, but mainly because he was running it.
It turns out that an old friend from Penn State gaming signed up for the same reason.
We had a good time insulting each other and our politics.
Pat was listening and gave us a challenge. "I bet you guys don't even know the third verse of the National Anthem!"
Without skipping a beat Mike and I both launched into "Oh thus be it ever…"
Pat laughed and said "Well I guess you do." So we played the game. I think we won but I'm not sure. I had a good time. That's what it's all about, right? I played in a Pat Condray game. I wish I had played in more. |
nnascati  | 02 Apr 2015 9:02 a.m. PST |
What a shame. May he rest in peace. |
 Lluis of Minairons  | 02 Apr 2015 9:03 a.m. PST |
I'm shocked. I had got accustomed lately to keeping an extensive e-mail exchange with him, regarding those Spanish Civil War gaming topics he was so fond of. I'm most sad for such tragical loss. Lluís Vilalta
www.minairons.eu |
 ageofglory | 02 Apr 2015 9:13 a.m. PST |
Oh, that's terrible news. It is indeed another huge loss for our community. Very sad. Condolences to his family. |
| PzGeneral | 02 Apr 2015 9:21 a.m. PST |
Thank you Sir for everything you've done. Rest in Peace and my deepest sympathies to his family. Dave |
| Rudysnelson | 02 Apr 2015 9:23 a.m. PST |
Yes, it is quite a shocked. He went through so many operations and fought each time until he beat it. Now, a sudden accident has claimed him.
My first encounter with Pat was at my first Historicon in 1984. Bye old friend. |
| 47Ronin | 02 Apr 2015 9:28 a.m. PST |
A terrible tragedy and a great loss to the hobby. I last saw Pat at Cold Wars, both at the membership meeting (where he was always active working for the best interests of HMGS) and after when we sat around in the Ballroom just talking about the hobby and the future of HMGS. As a member of the "younger generation" of gamers, talking to Pat at conventions over the years was always a pleasure. I remember telling him about how I walked into the "mini-con" outside of DC that he (and others) ran back in the '80's. I thought I had died and gone to Heaven. Pat was truly "present at the creation." I also played in one of his SCW games years ago. (Somebody had to take the Italians.) That game got me interested in the period. Just one more thing I am grateful to Pat for over the years. I'm sure Historicon this year will be a tribute to his memory. I know I will run a game in his honor. To borrow a line from a film, what we owe Pat is beyond calculation. He will be missed. My deepest sympathy to his family and friends. RIP WKPP. |
| Shagnasty | 02 Apr 2015 9:35 a.m. PST |
Very sad news. He was a leader, teacher and inspiration. my condolences to his family and friends. |
| Onomarchos | 02 Apr 2015 9:45 a.m. PST |
I will miss seeing Pat sitting at his table in the dealer hall painting up SCW minis. RIP Pat. Mark |
| Cyrus the Great | 02 Apr 2015 9:47 a.m. PST |
My condolences to his family and friends. |
| 79thPA | 02 Apr 2015 10:01 a.m. PST |
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| Ed Mohrmann | 02 Apr 2015 10:04 a.m. PST |
Another friend gone. Pat, we had our differences but
many more points of agreement.
Lord, I am going to MISS YOU ! RIP, pal… |
| jefritrout | 02 Apr 2015 10:05 a.m. PST |
I remember when Pat first suggested a Historical Miniatures Only mini-con. Most people thought that he was crazy and it couldn't be done with any success. My sister and I helped at the first HMMC, and continued through all the HMMC until that grew into Historicon. Pretty much all Historical Miniatures conventions in the US sprang from Pat's determination back in the late 70s early 80s to go out on our own. |
| jpipes | 02 Apr 2015 10:30 a.m. PST |
Very very sad news. Just awful. Far too soon and a huge loss for the hobby. :( |
| Marc33594 | 02 Apr 2015 10:36 a.m. PST |
A teacher, a mentor, but most importantly a friend. It still hasn't sunk in and won't for awhile. We all are a bit poorer today. |
| Mallen | 02 Apr 2015 10:55 a.m. PST |
Horrible news indeed. I met him once, at Historicon, introduced by a mutual friend (Tricorne71). We sat and chatted for maybe two hours over a couple of pints. He was a rare conversationalist and had the gift of boiling a complicated issue down to a simple essence. I expected him to be a bit crusty, from some of the article he had written in The Courier, but quite the opposite. He was a gentleman, a term you don't see applied much anymore, because the breed is dying out. |
 McKinstry  | 02 Apr 2015 11:18 a.m. PST |
47 Ronin – You brought a smile to my face on a very sad topic. He loved being WKPP. Thanks |
| dandiggler | 02 Apr 2015 11:19 a.m. PST |
Very sad news, I just met him at Cold Wars and had a great time talking to him. RIP |
| Patrick R | 02 Apr 2015 11:20 a.m. PST |
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| Tricorne1971 | 02 Apr 2015 11:22 a.m. PST |
My(our)old friends since the 1970's from the hobby passing far too soon since last year's Historicon:
Pat Condray
Jay Hadley
John Hill
Bob Coggins I will miss all of you very much. |
| deleted222222222 | 02 Apr 2015 11:24 a.m. PST |
Sad news indeed….regrets to his family |
| pzivh43 | 02 Apr 2015 11:29 a.m. PST |
I knew Pat for a long time. My most powerful memory of him, and one that I think speaks volumes of how he approached the hobby, stems from the launch of the Pac NW HMGS chapter Enfilade Convention in Seattle. We had requested and been granted a loan ($500, IIRC, and big money back in '80) from HMGS to get the Con started. Well, Enfilade went well, and I returned to HCON to pay the bucks back. At the membership meeting, I thanked the members and was ready to present the check, when Pat moved that the loan be waived. The members graciously agreed. Enfilade continues today, and I think Pat would be proud. Mike |
| Rodrick Campbell | 02 Apr 2015 11:37 a.m. PST |
Sorry to hear this. Rest in peace, Pat. |
| Liliburlero | 02 Apr 2015 12:20 p.m. PST |
So very sorry to hear about this. Deepest sympathies and condolences to his family from all of the Broms. |
| Ligniere | 02 Apr 2015 12:29 p.m. PST |
Very sad news when any of the old guard passes…. Rest in peace…. |
 Stosstruppen | 02 Apr 2015 12:36 p.m. PST |
Very sad day for our hobby. RIP Pat….. |
| Stan Johansen | 02 Apr 2015 12:37 p.m. PST |
Another of the Old Guard of the hobby gone, RIP Pat. |
| Who asked this joker | 02 Apr 2015 12:59 p.m. PST |
Very sad news. Rest in peace Pat. |
| 53Punisher | 02 Apr 2015 1:37 p.m. PST |
Simply awful news. RIP Pat. |
| Ragbones | 02 Apr 2015 1:40 p.m. PST |
Walk with God, Pat. We're all richer for having known you. |
| Russ Lockwood | 02 Apr 2015 2:34 p.m. PST |
Very sad news. He always used to stop by the MagWeb booth at shows to talk to my wife…and yes, even to me, too (his Armchair General was on MagWeb). The WKPP always had an anecdote about HMGS history… |
| nsolomon99 | 02 Apr 2015 2:41 p.m. PST |
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| Hal Thinglum | 02 Apr 2015 3:13 p.m. PST |
I've known Pat for many years although not well. He was always very helpful and we had just corresponded several weeks ago about the Spanish Civil War. My condolences to his family. A Gentleman. |
| Regulars | 02 Apr 2015 3:20 p.m. PST |
Pat was a real gentleman of the old school. I will sorely miss him.
May he rest in peace.
Joel |
| Mad Guru | 02 Apr 2015 4:14 p.m. PST |
This is awful and sad news. I met Pat in 1983 at NYCon and he made a lasting impression on me. I was a young college kid and he was already an established figure in the hobby, but Pat was very engaging and treated me with the utmost respect. We had a great long conversation and he encouraged my enthusiasm for the hobby (I was one of the organizers of the con). I remember him talking about his "beloved Saxons" and me -- as a largely Medieval gamer -- thinking at first he meant Dark Age Saxons, then realizing he was referring to early 18th Century War of Spanish Succession Saxons. As others have said above, he struck me as a true gentleman. RIP Pat. My sincere condolences to his family. |
| Syr Hobbs Wargames | 02 Apr 2015 4:15 p.m. PST |
One of kind and a gentlemen, rest in peace. Duane |
| cleo liebl | 02 Apr 2015 5:34 p.m. PST |
Pat, we knew you well, and will miss you |
| Microbiggie | 02 Apr 2015 6:08 p.m. PST |
He was tremendous influence on the convention aspect of the hobby. I always enjoyed talking to him about the early days of organizing gamers along with his observations of what was happening in the outside world. He will be truly missed.
Mark |
| John Leahy | 02 Apr 2015 6:39 p.m. PST |
Words fail me.
RIP Mr. Condray. My deepest sympathies to his family. |
| Early morning writer | 02 Apr 2015 6:40 p.m. PST |
Mr. Condray is at peace now. Perhaps it is time to offer thoughts to his family for having him taken away in such a sudden and shocking manner. I hope they find peace in his passing despite how he was taken away too soon. |
| Nick Pasha | 02 Apr 2015 7:00 p.m. PST |
Since Historicon, 1984, I have known Pat Condray, Mr. Condray as I usually addressed him out of respect. I worked on his staff at Historicon and Cold Wars. We had many conversations over the years at Historicons, and once he moved south, Hurricons and Recons. A very knowledgeable man who became a watchdog for club members. Agree or disagree with him, I had to admire his tenacity and determination to maintain the integrity of the hobby and its clubs. I cherish the historical conversations we had and the fact that even though he was more knowledgeable than I was on some topics, he listened to my opinions without criticism. In our later years he earned my respect and my understanding. He was very grandfatherly to my boys and my daughter, who liked him very much. I will miss our conversations, his positive critiques of my games, his tips on strategies, his knowledge of history, and of HMGS history, and I will miss the man. |
| galvinm | 02 Apr 2015 7:04 p.m. PST |
It speaks well of a man that so many remember him so fondly. Prayers and well wishes go out to his family and all the friends he leaves behind. Truly the world seems a lesser place. |
| historygamer | 02 Apr 2015 7:14 p.m. PST |
I am stunned and saddened to hear that my old comrade from the Financial Oversight committee passed. Pat and I worked together for years, often trading opinions, suggestions, etc, on to several boards of HMGS. We often traded emails on current events of the hobby and HMGS in general. He has joined too many hobby greats that have passed in the same year. RIP my friend. I will miss you. |
| vagamer63 | 02 Apr 2015 8:09 p.m. PST |
When I was a member of HMGS Pat and I on occasion got into a sparring match over one idea or another. Sometimes he convinced me, and once in awhile I swayed him. Sometimes we simply disagreed. However, the discussions were always carried out in a respectful determined manner. At times he could be honestly blunt, but without being malicious. when it came to discussing any aspect of the hobby his opinions were always thoughtful, knowledgeable, and offered with the best interest of the hobby at their core. He earned and enjoyed his moniker of WKPP! In a word, he was "priceless"! He will be missed, but he has left his mark on the hobby and all of us who knew him! |
| Charlie 12 | 02 Apr 2015 8:29 p.m. PST |
He will be missed by all in the hobby… My deep and sincere sympathy to his family and friends. |
 Nashville | 02 Apr 2015 10:07 p.m. PST |
David Raybin and Pat knew each other for 40 years. Pat corresponded with David about mutual interests in mid to late 19th century European conflicts. Here are David and Pat at a 2005 Nashcon.
Pat could research and write very well. Here is a 2001 exchange between David and Pat regarding VON MOLTKE's "armed mob" comment. Pat's favorite arm was the cavalry which he always said "added tone to the brawl." A profound loss to the wargame community. Our condolences to his family. link |
