schachterrific!

I just found out today that talented mystery (and comedy!) writer Donald Westlake has passed away. I met Donald Westlake for my one and only time in 1973 just prior to my graduation from Harpur College at the State University of NY at Binghamton (these days called Binghamton University). Mr. Westlake was the invited guest speaker at my graduation. At the time I was working part-time for the College’s Dept. of Educational Communication, so i was given the opportunity to interview Mr. Westlake prior to the ceremony. I imagine the videotape (reel-to-reel 2 inch tape!) is long lost in some murky backroom, but it remains, to me, a memorable moment in my life. He gave a great commencement speech, made even more entertaining by his pointing out that he was kicked out of Harpur for poor grades, and now (1973) was back to receive an honorary degree.

I discovered Mr. Westlake’s passing while reading This Is True! the weekly newsletter from Randy Cassingham. It’s been around since 1994 and still provides great insight into the world’s best and worst inhabitants. Mr. Cassingham has a weekly section entitled ‘Honorary Unsubscribe’, essentially an obituary of important people who in many cases got lost in the daily news shuffle. Here is Donald Westlake’s ‘Unsubscribe’:

THIS WEEK’S HONORARY UNSUBSCRIBE goes to Donald E. Westlake. In 1960, Westlake’s first novel, “The Mercenaries”, was published. That started a productive period of writing for Westlake — so productive that he used at least 10 pen names in addition to his own name, since people had a hard time believing one person could be so prolific. “Richard Stark” was the only one he kept over time. Writing mostly mystery novels, Westlake was as good as he was abundant: he is one of only two mystery writers to receive Edgar Awards in three different categories: Best Novel (“God Save the Mark”, 1968), Best Short Story (“Too Many Crooks”, 1990), and Best Motion Picture Screenplay (“The Grifters”, 1991). He was also named a Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America in 1993, and was nominated for an Academy Award for “Grifters”. In all, he wrote more than 100 books and several other screenplays, using a manual typewriter because he didn’t want to be bothered by the hum of an electric. He wrote seven days a week right up to the end: his last novel will be published in April. Westlake died December 31 from a heart attack while on his way to a New Year’s Eve dinner in Mexico. He was 75.

Thank you for the many years of reading enjoyment. Rest in Peace.