Robert Jordan dies from cardiac amyloidosis

[NJBillsFan]

Sad news for fantasy readers yesterday.


James Oliver Rigney Jr, author of the long-running fantasy series The Wheel of Time and better known to millions of fans by the pen name Robert Jordan, died on 16 Sept 2007 from cardiac amyloidosis. Jordan announced he had been diagnosed with the disease in March 2006 and vowed to beat the odds, but determination and gumption sometimes just arent enough in the face of a disease with a median survival time of just over two years. Jordan was in the process of writing the twelfth and final book in the Wheel of Time series, A Memory of Light, but the book was not slated for release until 2009 and is still incomplete. While there is hope that the book will still be finished from Jordans notes, this is devastating news to all of us who have been reading the series since 1990

My prayers and well wishes go out to his family and friends.

The Wheel of Time turns and the Dragon will ride again!!

[nehemiah]

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[slowpokemcgee]

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[JoeMama]

That's a bummer.

I never read any of his work, but friends recommend it a lot.

Which is a shame since his final novel may remain unfinished.

Sort of on a related note, I hope George R.R. Martin is in good health. He turns 59 on Thursday. And he's not a small-framed guy.

[NJBillsFan]

That's a bummer.

I never read any of his work, but friends recommend it a lot.

Which is a shame since his final novel may remain unfinished.

Sort of on a related note, I hope George R.R. Martin is in good health. He turns 59 on Thursday. And he's not a small-framed guy.

I check out George's blog everyday and he hasn't posted any health issues, so I think we are doing ok on that front.

The only way Robert Jordan's work may be finished, is his wife may finish off the series using his notes and whatever work he has done so far. who knows if that may ever happen, but it is a possibility

[bozman949]

RIP RJ

I didnt realize there was a thread on this in here, I was just about to post one.

The series will be finished by his wife Harriet. there is more information at www.tarvalon.net which is a web forum that I belong to in addition to the range.

May the last embrace of the Mother welcome you home.

[bozman949]

link (http://www.tarvalon.net/news.asp?article=502)
Obituary for James Rigney, Jr. from TarValon.Net

“Life is a dream. All dreams must end.”

These are words sung by the Aiel, one of many dozens of intricate cultures found within the vivid world of the Wheel of Time, created by James Rigney, Jr. under the pen name of Robert Jordan.

After fighting the disorder amyloidosis with cardiomyopathy for over a year and a half, James Oliver Rigney, Jr. died of complications from this disorder on Sunday, September 16 at 2:45 P.M. He was one month away from his fifty-ninth birthday. He is survived by his wife, Harriet, who served as editor for his books, and his son, Will.

James Rigney, Jr. was born on October 17, 1948. He decided at an early age that he wanted to write, but decided to wait until he had experienced more in life which he could bring to his fiction. Before he became a professional writer, he served two tours in Vietnam through the U.S. Army, where he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with bronze oak leaf cluster, the Bronze Star with Valor and bronze oak leaf cluster, and two Vietnamese Crosses of Gallantry with Palm. He attended the Citadel in South Carolina, where he earned a degree in physics. He went on to become a nuclear engineer, employed by the U.S. Navy.

The best-selling writer of twenty-five books had the distinction of spending over eighty weeks on the New York Times’ Bestsellers lists for his various releases in hardback and paperback both. His books were published in 22 countries. He was also an accomplished dance and theatre critic, contributing to Library Journal, Fantasy Review and Science Fiction Review under the name of Chang Lung. Besides Robert Jordan, he also wrote books under the pseudonyms Reagan O’Neal and Jackson O’Reilly.

He was in constant communication with his fans throughout the world, and touched millions of lives through his writing. In his series, he described the term ta’veren as one who is chosen by the Wheel of Time to bend the pattern of the web of destiny; one thread which pulls others to it and changes lives without even realizing it. Such was the life of James Rigney, Jr. Whether he met them or did not, there are thousands of stories to be found of readers who connected through his books, forged lasting relationships, improved their lives and worked to serve others through charitable acts as a result of reading the Wheel of Time series.

He will be remembered as a man of constant strength, passion and dignity, who left a lasting impact on the world of fiction and beyond. His influence will continue to touch the world long after his passing; within his books, readers old and new will discover the legends he created for many years to come. The grave is no bar to his call.

- Suzanne Musin