SF Writer Hal Clement Dies at Age 81

Sci-Fi Wire ^ | 10/30/2003 | unknown

[RightWingAtheist]

Harry Clement Stubbs, who under the pen name of Hal Clement wrote science fiction for 60 years and was named a Grand Master, died in his sleep at his home in Milton, Mass., Oct. 29, the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America reported. He was 81.

Clement, considered an exemplar of science-based "hard science fiction," was best known for 1954's Mission of Gravity, about Mesklin, a vast and fast-spinning planet with varying gravity, the SFWA reported. Clement's other work included two more Mesklin novels, Close to Critical and Star Light, as well as Iceworld, Cycle of Fire, The Nitrogen Fix, Still River and Half Life. He also wrote short story collections. His most recent novel, Noise, was published earlier this year by Tor.

In 1999, the SFWA named Clement a Grand Master, in recognition of a lifetime of achievement in the field.

A retired high-school science teacher, World War II pilot and scout leader, Clement began writing science fiction in the 1940s, his publisher, Tor, reported. He held a bachelor's degree in astronomy from Harvard and master's degrees in education and chemistry.

Clement published his first short story, "Proof," in Astounding in 1942, considered the first successful melding of SF with the mystery genre. After a stint in the Army Air Force in World War II, he published his first novel, Needle, as a serial in Astounding in 1949. Clement was also a familiar and beloved figure at SF conventions.

Clement is survived by his wife, Mary; two sons, George and Richard Stubbs; and a daughter, Christine Heusel. A memorial service will be held at Saint Michael's Episcopal Church in Milton at 10 a.m. Nov. 1.

[RightWingAtheist]

One of my favorite writers, Clement almost single-handedly invented the "hard science" novel. I regret never getting the chance to meet him, and say thank you, so I'll say it now: Thank you, Mr.Stubbs sir. All of your readers were also among your students.

[MineralMan]

"One of my favorite writers, Clement almost single-handedly invented the "hard science" novel. I regret never getting the chance to meet him, and say thank you, so I'll say it now: Thank you, Mr.Stubbs sir. All of your readers were also among your students."

I never met him, but read virtually everything he wrote when I was younger. I've always been a fan of hard science fiction, and miss it these days. There's less and less of it being published today, and that's a shame.

[sourcery]

I inherited just about every issue of Astounding/Analog Science Fiction/Science Fact from my father when he died in in 1973. I've read them all. And I still subscribe today.

As for Mr. Stubbs, I'll just quote Dylan Thomas:

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

[Sabertooth]

FYI

[PatrickHenry]

Mission of Gravity is a genuine classic. An excellent SF writer. I met him once. Fine fellow too.

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

I also liked hard SCIFI the best.

[chipengineer]

>Clement was also a familiar and beloved figure at SF conventions.

Clement gave a presenation that I attended on keeping the science accurate in stories just last weekend in Denver. While looking frail, he still provided an interesting and well thought-out presentation.

He will be missed.

[Physicist]

Aw, damn. He was one of the best. I spent a lot of time hanging out with him at the I-CON science fiction conventions (SUNY at Stony Brook). He was as great a man to listen to as he was to read.

[lepton]

I've always been a fan of hard science fiction, and miss it these days. There's less and less of it being published today, and that's a shame.

To stand the test of time, you have to be very careful about what is used. Just send up the Hubble, and the worlds view of astronomical properties changes notably.

Heck...go back and read "Red Storm Rising" by Clancy. He grossly underestimated the effects of stealth fighters, and our airforce in general, and the abilities of M1A1 Abrams. He did get a lot of other things right...and that was supposed to represent CURRENT situations.

[Virginia-American]

R.I.P.

One of my all-time favorites as well, although I didn't much care for "Half Life".

"Mission of Gravity", "Ice World", "Close to Critical", "Needle", "Cycle of Fire" are greats