"A Great Guy in Miniature Wargaming is Gone" Topic

Some of you here knew Kermit Kincaid by name. Most probably knew him as that wild and crazy guy, always two months overdue for a haircut and attired in clothes one or two levels more relaxed than "informal", who was a standard fixture at almost every HMGS convention flea market over the past two decades holding court behind a table chock-full of useful, interesting and sometime unique military history books… the guy with that unique non-stop gift of gab who could inevitably be relied upon to convince you to buy that book you didn't know you needed until after you got it home and read it. Kermit had a lot of repeat customers. It says something about his taste in books that even book dealers would drop by to snag a juicy volume or two from him.

Kincaid did not spend so much time and effort hauling 15 or 20 cartons of books down to Lancaster three times a year for profit; believe me when I tell you that he was not hurting in the personal income department. In my opinion, apart from the fact that he was always running out of bookcase space at home, he really did it out of love: a love of history, a love for good books, a love for sharing them with other gamers (which is where his private library has been dedicated), and above all a love for schmoozing and jawing with fellow wargamers.

Anyone who ever faced Kermit over a game table can testify that he was bold and brave "big picture" kind of player. He would size up the situation, decide on a course of action and then go for it full tilt … no mincing around behind the hedgerow, no half measures, no checking the rules charts, no calculating the dice odds. He always went all in with conviction. Some of his impossible victories on the tabletop are the stuff of legend. I don't know how he achieved them; maybe the dice were scared to defy his will.

Unfortunately the dice could be of no help to Kermit in his most difficult contest. Kermit Kincaid passed away last Saturday night after a hard fought two year battle with cancer. I have lost a friend of fifty years. The wargaming community has lost a remarkable and uplifting personality We have all lost a truly good man.

Kermit used to like to quaff a Yuengling at the Lancaster Host bar at the end of a long gaming day. If you are going to Cold Wars, raise one in toast to his memory.

Blutarski (Byron Angel)

So sorry. I would bet I have a book of his somewhere.

Guys like this are becoming very rare. So sorry.

Regards
Russ Dunaway

I remember Kermit, always made a point of buying a book and having a short talk.
A real loss, he will be missed.

Kermit was a cool guy for sure. Whenever I had Books for sale in the FM, he'd look them over and tell me, you got these priced right…they ought to sell. Invariably they did. Nice guy and eSy to talk to for sure!

I noticed his absence at the past few conventions.

Sorry to hear this was the reason.

My condolences. I had idea he was ill. He will be missed

I can picture him working at his flea market table. He really had a passion for his books and could provide details on each one he had for sale. He will be missed.

I have a book or two from him. Nice guy and great to talk with him at every con. RIP Kermit!

I did not know Kermit but he sounds like a person everyone could love. Sorry for your loss.

ditto on Princeman's comment hits home personally, my gaming family lost a stalwart in January. He was not a major miniatures gamer more of a board game type so I doubt many of you know him but every candle that blows out make the gaming world a bit darker

(sadly we are all here for the short haul so don't hold grudges too long because eternity is much longer and ALWAYS wins in the end.

Nice obit Mr Butarski

Byron,
I'm so sorry to hear of Kermit's passing. He had a wonderful sense of humor and I always enjoyed the times we got to chat during the conventions. I remember the passion the two of you put into your Age of Sail games. I know you will miss your close companion as will the rest of us who had the pleasure of meeting him. May he rest In peace.

Please accept my sincere condolences. Hope to see you at Cold Wars.

Tom

Byron,

Condolences. Thanks for such a nice memorial note about Kermit. May he rest in peace.

Scott

Sorry for your loss.

Please accept my condolences. I didn't know Kermit and I was the one poorer for it.

Very sorry to hear of Kermit's passing. He attended
Southern Front a few times I recall, and Blutarski's
comments about Kermit's gaming style are spot on.

Unique, best describes him and the mere fact that I only
saw him perhaps 3 times at Fronts clearly suggests
the impression Kermit would make.

RIP and condolences to friends and family.

Kermit was missed at Cold Wars this year.

His wit, wisdom and war stories would have lit up the Showroom.