Game designer and science fiction author Aaron Allston died of massive heart failure Thursday after collapsing at VisionCon, where he was attending as the author guest of honor. News of Allston’s collapse at the Missouri-based convention and his following trip to the hospital quickly spread on Twitter Thursday night, but the 53-year-old’s passing was not confirmed until a Facebook post by fellow designer and writer Sean Patrick Fannon.
Allston was the author of over 20 novels and became well-known for his work on Dungeons & Dragons. His work was particularly popular in the Star Wars fandom. He wrote thirteen Star Wars novels and contributed to some of the most popular series in the “expanded universe” including the X-Wing and New Jedi Order series. Fellow Star Wars authors took to social media to express their dismay at Allston’s passing.
— Christie Golden (@ChristieGolden) February 28, 2014
Allston’s fans also expressed their grief on social media, sharing stories and memories of Allston on his Facebook page as well as Twitter, Tumblr, and Instagram.
“He was one of my favorite authors and wrote some of the best Star Wars novels, and he has served as an amazing source of inspiration for the better half of my life. And he always will,” wrote Tumblr user JamesKryackltd.
“The world lost a fantastically creative mind tonight. One that will not soon be forgotten.”
— Hall Hood (@hallhood) February 28, 2014
— Shaun Rosado (@pneumaz) February 28, 2014
— Ms Bianca (@BiancaChristine) February 28, 2014
H/T TheForce.Net | Photo via AaronAllston.com