Sad news from Palladium's website

Sad News about Erick Wujcik
By Kevin Siembieda

I’m afraid I have some sad and shocking news. I’ve tried a dozen different ways to write this, but none of them sound right. So I’ll just say it:

My sweet, brilliant friend – Erick Wujcik – is dying of cancer.

Yes, Erick Wujcik, the mastermind behind such role-playing games and RPG products as Amber® Diceless RPG, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles® RPG, Ninjas & Superspies RPG, Weapons & Assassins, Revised RECON®, Rifts® China One & Two, and a host of other RPG books.

Erick, age 56, has pancreatic cancer that has spread to his liver. There was no advance warning. Erick was healthy and doing fine. He thought he had come down with the flu, and when he couldn’t shake it, he went to the doctors. The prognosis was unexpected, to say the least.

We thought about letting people know after Christmas, but Erick’s time is, all too quickly, running out. We thought it would be wonderful to give the millions of people who have loved the man and played his games, the opportunity to express their appreciation for him. I’m sure Erick will be pleased to read people’s warm regards.

While this is sad news that weighs heavily on our hearts, we’d like this website (www.erickwujcik.com) and the comments posted on it, to be a celebration of Erick’s wonderful life.

Just as you did when Palladium announced its Crisis of Treachery, let Erick know how much you have enjoyed his games and ideas. How Ninja Turtles (or Amber or whatever) turned you on to gaming or opened up your mind to new possibilities, and similar commentaries, thoughts and regards. I know your kind words and warm remembrances will put a smile on his face and warm his soul.

We’ve chosen to go with a blog style. Post as often as you’d like. Share your recollections about encounters with Erick, the first time you heard him speak or met him at a convention, what he and his work has meant to you, funny convention stories, and whatever else feels right.

I can tell you that I love Erick Wujcik. He has been my friend and mentor, confidant and cohort in so many adventures in gaming and in life, that it would be impossible to list them all. I am a better person for having known him, and I have reveled in Erick’s intelligence, wit, energy, friendship and the warmth of his smile. I will miss him more than words can express, but I am so lucky, my life so much richer, for having had such a rare gem of a person in it. I smile every time I think about our antics together. How Erick basks in the exuberance of gaming conventions (and life). At how Erick practically floats above the ground at conventions, enthralled in the fun of exchanging ideas, running games, seeing old friends and meeting new people. He simply drinks in the thrill and joy of it all.

I’ve talked to Erick a lot these past few weeks. He sounds great. Same as always. If you didn’t know better, you’d never know anything was wrong.

Erick tells me he has no regrets. And I believe him. Erick is one of those rare individuals who has lived his life to the fullest and lived it well. He has an army of friends that span the globe and he has touched millions more through his works in the role-playing industry and videogames. When you look up the word “networking” in the dictionary, there should be a photograph of Erick Wujcik grinning back at you.

These are just a few tiny things I can tell you about my friend, Erick. I’ll have more to say, joined by thousands of others in the days to come.

Smile Erick, you are loved.

Thank you.

Kevin Siembieda
Publisher, Writer, Artist and Friend
December 22, 2007