Dick Stodghill passed away recently. He was a reporter, a columnist, a novelist and a short story writer. He was also a husband, a father, a grandfather and a World War II veteran.
I never met him but I feel as though I knew him through his blog and through his comments here, and on Criminal Brief and on the message board of the Short Mystery Fiction Society. And, of course, I have read dozens of his short stories.
Dick was always kind in his comments to other writers and he often made me laugh. Once, over at Short Mystery Fiction, he mentioned that when he would have his sandwich for lunch, he liked to turn on one of the old black and white movie television channels. Sometimes he watched while he ate and went back to what ever he was doing. Often he would stay with the movie to the end. I envied that he’d kept his free spirit even at age 84.
I encourage you to visit Dick’s website and check his sidebar, covering topics from the Normandy invasion, to some of his newspaper columns, to a list of Interesting Mystery Links, and I am pleased to note that Women of Mystery was among those links.
One link brings you to Dick’s short story list. It’s quite long and references stories published in Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Mike Shayne Mystery Magazine, Thrilling Detective, Hardboiled, Espionage, Amazon Shorts, and Louis Lamour Western Magazine.
There are also two free reads.
"Second Chance" was published in the August 1983 issue of Mike Shayne Mystery Magazine.
I read Second Chance for the second time this week. Here are two sentences I would share with you:
“But no one knew I was coming and few realized or care that I am here. Soon someone will tell her, though, and that’s why I’m watching now, before she knows.”
Dick’s Jack Eddy stories have been running in Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine since October 1988. He provides a link to one that was published in 2008.
Please click on the link to his blog called Stodghill Says So.
Scroll down to the October 30th post and read how Dick saw the changes in his life coming toward him. If you read nothing else, read the last paragraph. Dick’s philosophy of life is an inspiration. My favorite phrase: “Eat, drink and make merry; it all comes out the same in the end.”
As to my two sentences written, here they are:
God love you, Dick. Your words will be missed.
*******************************************************************
If you have two sentences read and/or written posted on your site, please let us know in the comments section, or you can post your sentences in the comments for all of us to enjoy.
Leah has a great comparison over at The Goat's Lunch Pail. Her two read from Oscar Wilde ask a question and her own two written hint at the answer.
Posts
14 comments:
RIP Dick.
I've got my two up at my blog.
Thanks for taking the time to remember his life, Terrie.
Thanks, df Leah, I linked them here.
Patti, Dick deserves many more accolades.
Terrie
Dick would've been very pleased with this writeup, Terrie. Ya done good.
Thanks, Elaine.
Lovely post, Terrie.
Here's a chunk I wrote this week:
“Ah. You were purified.” The woman’s tension eased. “I heard.” She rubbed her hand across her belly. “We don’t eat with the others, so we don’t see newcomers. It is best for the babies not to be exposed to anything until they have been brought into the Chosen officially.”
Wonderful article, Terrie.
Sharing your story about lunch with Dick, I loved his humor when he wrote about liver and British food:
http://stodg.blogspot.com/2007/07/do-people-really-eat-this-stuff.html#1052155168536947696
Nicely done, Terrie.
Hi Laura,
Excellent sentences! Creepy, yet maternal.
Hi Leigh,
I appreciate your comments, especially since your article Sunday about Dick was quite eloquent.
I am heading over to the blog link now to find out more about Dick and food!
Terrie
I couldn't find his Oct. 30 post, but I sure get the idea! Thanks for the remembrance, and if it is he who has influenced you, he's definitely worth a read.
Lois, Here is a direct link:
http://stodg.blogspot.com/2009/10/losing-independence.html
I should have pointed out that you have to scroll very far down Dick's blog before the posts start. His final post was on November 3rd, there was another on the 2nd and then the October 30th post.
Many of Dick's posts involved Normandy and the aftermath. (He was 18 that year.) Some of your vets may enoy reading those posts.
Terrie
Dick Stodghill was a joy to read. And will be missed.
David,
Amen to that.
Terrie
Thanks for this wonderful tribute- I'm going to read those links and remind myself.
It's a little late in the thread to add my 2 for this week, but I'm writing some, and a little bird (ha!) tells me you are, too, Terrie.
Clare,
Dick would be thrilled that we are writing.
Terrie
Post a Comment