I met Joe several times back when Bouchercons were relatively
small affairs and always enjoyed our conversations. In
addition to his writing (both science fiction and mysteries),
he had served in the state legislature and was (at that time)
a sitting judge. As a reporter, I'd run into a fair number of
judges (and state legislators and even a few writers) with
big egos, so I was pleased to find him a very laid-back,
friendly fellow.
I first read Hensley's short stories in the science fiction
and mystery digests. Later, I very much enjoyed his novels
for the old Doubleday Crime Club featuring attorney Donald
Robak as well as the non-Robak novel RIVERTOWN RISK. He
conducted some classes in writing fiction. He had given
encouragement to my friend Ed Byers who became a successful
SF writer. In fact my last conversation with Joe concerned
Ed's death at the age of 50 from cancer.
Joe was a good writer and a fine man and I am sorry to hear
of his passing.
Richard Moore
--- In
rara-avis-l@yahoogroups.com, "foxbrick"
<foxbrick@...> wrote:
>
> Bill Crider's blog carries the mention, and a link
back to the
> Ellison discussion website.
>
> HARLAN ELLISON
> - Monday, August 27 2007 9:18:47
>
> MY DEAR FRIEND IS GONE
>
> At 9 AM exactly, this morning, the 27th of August,
my phone rang;
and
> it was Tom, the younger brother of my friend of more
than 50
years,
> the most excellent sf and mystery writer,
>
> JOE L. HENSLEY
>
> a staunch, talented friend I could not have loved
more were he my
> brother. Joe died in the night. Last
night.
>
> Please spread the word. I am in fear that such mass
amnesia as
exists
> in the country, in the genre, in the massmind, that
few will know
his
> name. He needs to be remembered. Yet when I called
LOCUS to report
> his passing, the (very polite) young woman who
answered, who took
the
> news, may not have recognized it, nor be aware of
Joe's
significant
> credits. I'm not sure; but I cannot leave this to
chance. So,
please,
> if you can: let everyone know that big, charming,
wonderful Joe
> Hensley is no longer coming out to play with
us.
>
> Very sad, Harlan
>
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