Arthur C. Clarke passed away yesterday. Being something of a science fiction buff-but not a full fledged aficionado-it is with great sadness that we note his passing. I read a lot of his books, all of the 2001 series, and many of his articles in various magazines.
1968-yours truly, telling Mom he was going one place then doing something totally different-got on the street car to watch 2001 A Space Odyssey at the Fulton theater on 6th street. If she had known I was taking the streetcar into town, I am quite certain she would have kicked my ass. I was all of 11 years old.
Fast forward 15 years to 1983. USS America had pulled into Colombo Sri Lanka. Not exactly a thriving liberty port- we each had to make our own fun. I mostly spent my days getting drunk by the pool after fighting beggars on the street just to walk around and see what few sights there were to see, played golf on an old British course complete with cows on it, and talked with my friends from the squadron. One of whom-quite by surprise to us I might add-looked up Arthur C. Clarke somehow , unannounced, paid a visit on him. According to him, the author spent about 40 minutes with him. We all thought it was BS-until he produced the autographed book. 7 jaws dropped in unison.
Godspeed sir and thank you for your work.