Christopher Shores RIP

[Paul Forster]

We have been losing way too many people lately. Very sad.

[VtwinVince]

Yes indeed, very disturbing numbers these days.

[shall87]

Originally Posted by Barrett

Chris was a valued colleague, always generous and willing to support those he knew were as serious as he was.

Here's a list of losses to our community in the last 2-3 years:

Virginia Bader 2022
Bobert C. Mikesh 2022
Eric M. Hammel 2022
Frank J. Olynyk 2022
Norman Franks 2023
Jim Sullivan 2023
Joe Baugher 2023
Roy A. Grossnick 2024
Chris Shores 2024

Bob Mikesh was a leading scholar of Japanese aviation.
Eric Hammel focused on the Pacific Theater, especially USMC
Jim Sullivan specialized in US naval aircraft
Joe Baugher maintained a huge aviation database
Roy Grossnick was the USN aviation historian for decades.

RIP. So sad to see this.

[Knusel]

Would you say our hobby is rather a hobby of men of advanced age ?

[VtwinVince]

Absolutely, Michael. In fact, all of my hobbies reflect this demographic, which bodes ill for the future.

[spad]

However.... seventy is now the new sixty therefore now I am approaching seventy I have a decent decade and a half before I join the "Choir Invisible". I DEMAND those I have corresponded with over the last twenty-four years to adapt this philosophy

I think the informed study of history requires having lived a life. And to have time for the hobby. I do miss our WW1 giants, and am sure there are others that have disappeared, but i am heartened because there have been some good new visitors, who will become our forum greats.

Military history of the early-to-mid 20th century has always been a study that attracted mature students, thankfully as time has gone by the study of major conflicts is rare because there are no world conflicts. The endless, puffery of Special Forces memoirs, and "campaign" histories of Iraq I and II, Afghanistan, and other expeditions are not subjects for mature debate.

There are still lots of young authors that address WW1, the trouble is that resources are dwindling. But I am hopeful they will survive me.

K

[VtwinVince]

Interesting thoughts. I recently had a major argument with my nephew about a situation unfolding right now, which I won't mention in detail, since I'll probably be branded something and booted off the forum. But anyway, this young man had the temerity to roundly dismiss my accumulated knowledge, mainly parsed from reading hundreds of books, interviewing dozens of participants, and, most importantly, actually activating my mechanisms of critical thinking, with a couple of casual and flippant comments that none of my arguments mattered. Definitely a 'generation gap' going on here and I found the level of disrespect truly astonishing.

[Knusel]

Good morning,

another question raised by this issue and already asked in this forum is whom to bequeath the data and the books one day.

I'm 44 now and started my hobby as a teenager. Of my four kids only my oldest daughter is interested in airwar history but only as one of several interests she has. She has painted a picture of Hermann Gerlach landing his Fieseler Storch on Grad Sasso and gave it to me as a birthday present.

I wish you a pleasant Advent weekend,
Michael

[VtwinVince]

Consider yourself lucky, Michael. I have only one child, and she has less than zero interest in these things. I might just burn my entire archives and library on my funeral pyre, and get buried with my uncle's relics.

[Frederic Mason]

Barrett - You might add to your list - Thomas G. Ivie, July, 2024 RIP. A great historian, author. veteran and fine man. Is Warren E. Thompson still with us?? Should be on list if no longer as well? Just wondering... FM