Thomas M. Disch RIP

[ellen_datlow]

I've just found out that Tom Disch committed suicide in his apartment on July 4th. He was found by a friend who lives a few blocks away.

I'm shocked, saddened, but not very surprised. Tom had been depressed for several years and was especially hit by the death of his longtime partner Charles Naylor. He also was very worried about being evicted from the rent controlled apartment he lived in for decades.

I last visited with him about a month ago, when I ran into him shopping at the Greenmarket across the street from where he lived (he rarely went out because he had trouble walking). He invited me up for cheese and bread which we bought together at the market and I visited for an hour or two. He seemed more optimistic about his work than he'd been for at least a year as he had three books/novellas coming out over the next year.

Tom wrote wonderful stories (I only read one or two of his novels but kept meaning to read more) and if you haven't ever read the collections Getting into Death or Fundamental Disch you need to find and read them.

Tom, as much as you were a bitter, sometimes mean curmudgeon--I'll miss you.


John Clute on Tom Disch

And possibly the best obituary by Elizabeth Hand on
Salon

Comments

Sad

[(Anonymous)]

I'm interested by any source that confirms this sad new, because there is nothing in any newspapers or anywhere.

Re: Sad

[(Anonymous)]

I am Tom's sister and it is true that Tom died -- on Friday, July 4.

Nancy Disch
Minneapolis, MN

Re: Sad

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

Dear Nancy,
Please accept my condolences. Tom was a wonderful writer and a friend to me.

Re: Sad

[(Anonymous)]

The new was so sad that I couldn't believe it. I present you my condolences. Thomas Disch is one of my favorite writers of sf ; a great and powerful writer.

Re: Sad

[donovan-s-brain.livejournal.com]

Nancy, a detail? Unless Tom told someone his password for his blog, ENDZONE, it will eventually fill up with comments and stop. Tom's computer was probably set to stay logged in to his blog, and may be the only way to administrate the site now. It would be nice if it could remain online, perhaps with comments moderated, as a memorial to Tom, so be sure to retain it. Also his hard drive is probably full of gold nuggets and sad poems, and should be checked for hidden files he may have left.
We all grieve for your loss; Tom isn't easily summed-up or reduced to a few words. He did it his own way, cast his own crooked shadow, and made his own exit.