Bruce Lowry - A Tribute

by Kirby-L subscribers

Bruce Lowry [also known as bluens] was one of Kirby-L's most noticeable contributors. He had his opinions and made sure everyone reading knew what they were. His strongest were regarding the inkers of Jack Kirby's pencil artwork, Vince Colletta in particular. Much like the old Niagara Falls vaudeville routine, all anyone had to do was to mention, even off-handedly, that they didn't object to Vince Colletta's work on Jack Kirby and the Lowry posts began. On more than one occasion, a Lowry-fired Colletta controversy took over all traffic on the list.

But beneath all the bluster, Bruce was a generous, kind-hearted comicbook art lover. My fondest memories of Bruce are of chatting with him in AOL chat rooms or private IMs regarding our favorite comic artists. We both cooed over his Nestor Redondo Rima pencil commission piece (see left), a copy of which he had sent me to post in the Comicart-L Fave Five Gallery (now the Lowry Gallery, where they have kept Bruce's own page up in memoriam). He was instrumental in getting Comicart-L, the Original Comicbook Art Collector's mailing list, started. I also remember how nice it was that his wife Ria would jump in on the chat or IM window to let us know that Bruce had to step away from the computer for a moment. Now that's teamwork!

Bruce died quickly of a heart attack on 13 February 1999 while scuba diving on vacation in Costa Rica with Ria. Below are most of the messages posted to Kirby-L in the wake of the bad news, in reverse order, the most recent being at the top.

Clearly, he is missed.

- Randolph Hoppe
Kirby-L whatchamacallit
29 March 1999

From: Frank D'Urso
Subject: [kirby-l] bluens

....

One of the hazards of being a digest reader, especially after being involved with this list on a daily basis for the past couple of years, is that time seems to slip away much faster, I'm behind the curve....

Which explains now how shocked and saddened I am by Bruce's passing. I am literally dazed sitting here in my office, part sad for our friend and his family, part glad that this medium affords us this level of camraderie, and very touched by the honest outpouring of emotion.

Mark Luebker's uncle passed away a week or two ago? My uncle Dick died last week.....and only now I get the news of Bruce's passing, bad news does come in threes.

I guess it can be said that Bruce was lucky, not that we can ever choose our momnet of passing, but lucky in the way that he was with the woman of his life, and with many friends to commerate him.

I will miss him.

From: Michael J Vassallo
Subject: [kirby-l] Bruce Lowry

> >Last night I received a call from Bruce's wife Ria that Bruce had died
> >earlier in the day of an apparent heart attack. The two of them were
> >snorkeling while on vacation in Costa Rica and it apparently happened very
> >quickly. CPR was attempted to no avail. Ria will be returning to L.A. with
> >the body on Monday and the funeral arrangements will be made known to the
> >list.

God Dammit!!! I sit here dumbstruck and very, very upset. Just crushed. On the list Bruce and I always seemed to be at odds but privately we exchanged quite a bit of mail and although we had differing views, enjoyed the rivalry a great deal.

I offer my profoundest and deepest condolances to Ria and their entire family. I feel absolutely miserable. My eyes are brimming with tears as I write this. I've never met Bruce in person but the intimacy of this mailing list brings all of you into my life on a daily basis.

Many, many months ago Bruce had posted something or other which irked me and I posted something that I have always regretted typing. Bruce sent in a counter post and then a scathing private post. When I realized how I had stupidly over-reacted I sent a private apology which Bruce returned with one of his own. I'm going to share those private messages with the list. I don't think Bruce would mind.

My initial Kirby-L post, one I wish I could've retracted:

To: Kirby-L
Date 10/18/98
Subject: Colletta's Hand!

Bruce wrote:

> Maybe you'd like to do the same, you're opinion of his work is not too lofty
> and what Dave and I said translates to about the same. I think this comment is
> ridiculous and would stifle any criticism of anyone with living relatives
> somewhere.

Anything that doesn't damn Colletta is ridiculous? Anyone who puts a human face onto black and white "chicken scratch" is ridiculous? We had this same argument 15 months ago Bruce. I could cut and paste the whole thing if I could find it. There is nothing wrong with constructive criticism or opionated criticism. You've always engaged in destructive criticism. It's always gone beyond stating that Vince Colletta's inking is least preferred of all Kirby inkers, into personal attacks on Vince Colletta himself. Yeah so he only did so much by noon, left out this and that and overall comes in a dismal last in finished product proficiency. But we also know that editors continually used him, over and over, and were happy with the results, much to our dismay. I've cringed over that "Colletta's Hand" crack since I originally saw it. I thought it was pompous, mean-spirited and terribly insensitive. My initial thoughts were "sure I'm not a fan of his inking either but this guy has way too much time on his hands!". Wherever Vince is today or whatever he thought as he lay gasping his last breath on this earth, I doubt it was "...If only I had been more faithful to Jack Kirby's pencils...". I doubt his family was thinking the same thing either. Of late, you've been less vocal on the Colletta topic, seemingly happily sitting back and allowing others to "carry the torch" if you will.

What it boils down to is it's gone beyond objective criticism of an artist's work to a damnation of the artist himself. Coming back with a witty response to this post will do nothing to diminish the fact that you can't seem to seperate the art from the artist.

If I ever meet Vince Colletta's family, I'd graciously state that I admired his work and was a big fan of the medium. It's not a lie. Colletta worked on books I liked, therefore I'm honest. It doesn't matter that there are books I like more.

To everyone out there with a Colletta ax to grind, look to your own livelihood. What would your response be to a group of thousands of arrested adolescents, picking up some aspect of your professional
ability and not only damning the aspect but your soul and the soul of your family across 5 continents. That's what's happened here. And it never stops.

Doc V.
........................................................................
...............................

Bruce's letter to me:

> Date: Saturday, 10-Oct-98 03:15 AM
>
> From: Bluens \ America On-Line: (bluens)
> To: Dr. Michael J. Vassallo \ PRODIGY: (MFZF39A)
>
> Subject: Colletta's Hand!
>
> In a message dated 98-10-10 01:14:44 EDT, you write:
>
> << My initial thoughts were "sure I'm not a fan of his inking
> either but this guy has way too much time on his hands!". >>
>
> Doc: this personal attack (apparently its OK to attack other listers
> personally, just not Colletta) has got me going. I think its skating on thin
> ice for someone who has spent a lifetime cataloging the most dismal period in
> comics history and continuously sending out pointless lists of the most
> forgettable artists to ever appear in the field (Reinman, Colletta, Shores,
> Heck, etc. etc.) to presume others are not putting their time to valid use.
> Please consider that next time you rain your arrogant pomposities on others. I
> don't think my posts have ever been of a personal nature as to Colletta, and I
> have said that is not my intent on many occasions. I think your melodramatic
> post is the result of your sensitivity about the merit of this "talent" who was
> prominent during your beloved Dark Ages. That's your problem, not mine. Bruce

........................................................................
...........................................

My letter to Bruce:

Date: Saturday, 10-Oct-98 10:28 AM

From: Dr. Michael J. Vassallo \ PRODIGY: (MFZF39A)
To: Bluens \ America On-Line: (bluens)

Subject: Re: Colletta's Hand! (private message)

> Doc: this personal attack (apparently its OK to attack other listers
> personally, just not Colletta) has got me going.

Bruce,

You're right. It does sound as a personal attack, for which I truly apologize. I really was prompted by just too many anti-Colletta posts, a lack of sleep and my hackles raised by the pain of my delete button finger. I've lost track of who or how many others were probably the real object of the post and injected you into it when I was reminded of the "Colletta's Hand" comment. I've always felt we've had a sort of a friendly rivalry on this list, you putting forth your views and my occasional coming back (too infrequently) with some list or such with a contrary view. Perhaps I've inadvertently pushed the tone a little too personal, a tone that was truly not intended.

> I think its skating on thin
> ice for someone who has spent a lifetime cataloging the most dismal period in
> comics history and continuously sending out pointless lists of the most
> forgettable artists to ever appear in the field (Reinman, Colletta, Shores,
> Heck, etc. etc.) to presume others are not putting their time to valid use.

Ouch! I deserved that. But let me counter that I give equal time to great artists like Jack Kirby, Al Williamson, Bill Everett, Gene Colan, etc.

> Please consider that next time you rain your arrogant pomposities on others.

I will. As I said above, it came across as you stated without truly being intended.

> don't think my posts have ever been of a personal nature as to Colletta, and I
> have said that is not my intent on many occasions.
> I think your melodramatic
> post is the result of your sensitivity about the merit of this "talent" who was
> prominent during your beloved Dark Ages. That's your problem, not mine.

All in all I fault myself for this. Please don't go away with bad feelings as it wasn't my intent (although may have seemed). I hope we can continue our friendly ways on the list without ill will. There's too much of that in the world already.

Mike

.....................................................................................................................

Finally, Bruce's reply to me:

> Date: Saturday, 10-Oct-98 04:46 PM
>
> From: Bluens \ America On-Line: (bluens)
> To: Dr. Michael J. Vassallo \ PRODIGY: (MFZF39A)
>
> Subject: Re: Colletta's Hand! (private message)
>
> In a message dated 98-10-10 10:40:45 EDT, you write:
>
>> << All in all I fault myself for this. Please don't go away with bad
>> feelings as it wasn't my intent (although may have seemed). I hope we
>> can continue our ways on the list without ill will. There's too much of
>> that in the world already.

> I agree, Doc, and felt bad as I went to sleep last night about my post. Let me
> add my apologies to yours and call it even. I have tried to keep my comments
> about Colletta on the level of stating the reasons why I disliked his
> collaboration on Kirby's pencils. Honest, I didn't know the guy and have no
> personal ax to grind. My problem (and I admit, its my problem) is my affection
> for Jack's pencils, which I obviously don't like tampered with and my
> conclusion that VC was so inappropriate for Jack's pencils. While I don't
> discourage it and do in fact take a certain amount of satisfaction in it, I
> have not solicited the posts attacking Colletta's work of late. And I have
> tried to moderate and decrease my responses thereto, but sometimes I just can't
> restrain myself. Please try to be understanding of a weak, weak man. Best and
> sincerely, your friend, Bruce

..................................................................................................................

Rest in peace, Bruce. Your friend,

Mike

From: Patrick Peters
Subject: [kirby-l] My birthday wish.

Hey gang, Friday is the first anniversary of my 39th birthday. When my wife asked what I wanted, I gave her a list of the Kirby FF's I don't have yet. I'll let you know Monday how she did. Wish her luck! I'm looking forward to the return of Lyle to the discussion mix. I actually cried when I heard about Bruce. I feel a great loss that I never got to meet him, though it is amazing how you get to feel you know people here on the internet.

Patrick 'the sane' Peters

From: Joseph Magee
Subject: [kirby-l] Bruce Lowry

Work and personal stuff have been occupying a huge percentage of my time, but I think I'm coming up for air now.

I'm saddened to hear about Bruce. My condolences to his family.

From: Douglas E. Rockstead
Subject: [kirby-l] Bruce Lowry

I just read about Bruce. I'm shocked. My prayers go out oto his family.

From: Bill Laughton
Subject: [kirby-l] Bruce Lowry

I have been convalescing from pneumonia over the last week and did not receive the sad news about Bruce's passing until today. I would like to add my sincere condolences to Bruce's family and friends. It is so touching to read the heartfelt outpouring of grief and support Bruce has received from his many friends on this list. Although I never knew Bruce personally, I will miss his presence here.

From: Dr. Michael J Vassallo
Subject: [kirby-l] Memories of Bruce

Stan wrote:

> Our friend Bruce had many fine traits, but he would be the first to admit that reason, and common sense weren't at the top of that list. ;-) I can see it now, when the history of this esteemed list is written, whole chapters will be devoted to the calm reasoning, inherent decency, and sage dispassionate critical presence that Bruce Lowry brought to our little group.

> And then we have to explain why he was buried next to Vince Colletta's shriveled, severed hand.

Ah yes, how I remember those exchanges. This brings something up. I've archived so much of this list in a dizzying arrangement of folders and sub-folders in my off-line mailbox. I have listers' private mail to me archived as well as numerous folder topics dealing with my own posts, responses to my posts, Timely/Atlas related posts, general comic history info posts, etc. My mail program has a nice search feature that can call up anything at all. Well I did a search on "Bluens" and have pulled up a couple of hundred posts, at least 75% of them dealing with topics responding to me, all filed and spread out in numerous folders and sub-folders. I've collected them all into a single "Bruce Lowry" folder now and have begun reading through them. I've found myself laughing my head off at what we discussed, argued and bantered about on this list over the last 3 years. The Colletta posts, the Bill Everett thread about "him not being right for Sub-Mariner" where I nearly blew a gasket, when I begged Bruce to at least admit Colletta had some merit and Bruce finally giving in to placate me, and so on. I haven't read these since they were initially posted. I may post some of these back to the list if no one minds as they are "classic Lowry" dying to be enjoyed again. If listers think I shouldn't, that's ok. I understand. I'll keep them to myself.

I really miss that ornery guy.

Doc V.

From: Jim Pertierra
Subject: [kirby-l] The Ad For Bruce

As a long time lurker and occasional poster, I will really miss Bruce's wit and passion. Please count me in on the ad and let me know who and where to send to.

Thanks/Jim Pertierra

From: Doug Herring
Subject: [kirby-l] Bruce Lowry

I didn't know Bruce well, our major exchange was in the Kane-Kirby-Kubert discussions where we discovered we had a lot in common art wise beyond a love of Jack's work. I wish I had had a chance to know him better, it is always a shame to lose a kindred soul. All my condolences.

From: Lyle Tucker
Subject: [kirby-l] Bruce & Vinnie

Mr. Savant wrote:

> I wonder what Bruce would say if he ran into Vince where ever he may be?

I hate to say this, but Bruce would probably deck him and be kicked downstairs! Knowing Bruce, he'd be happier there, too, if it meant not sharing space with Vinnie (as long as Jack could visit him, that is).

From: Chester L Cox
Subject: [kirby-l] Bruce & Vinnie & Ron & Curtis

A surprised welcome to old buddy, Ron Frantz! I really didn't think you had time in your life for another list --- and I hope you create as much chatter (static?) here as you have on Ditko-L.

It seems appropriate to welcome a new Kirby-lister at the same time we're saying "till we meet again" to a departed one. It seems even more appropriate that Dick Ayers' post about (and - maybe - defense of) Vince Colletta has sparked fresh discussion. Were Bruce here, he'd have thrown the gauntlet down, end-of-discussion, immediately (though he was kinder to Dick, re: Colletta, than to anyone else). As it is, the torch of Colletta Bashing passes to Bruce's protoge, Curtis. (torch + bashing: there's a mixed metaphor for you!)

Some say there are no coincidences. Some say there are nothing but coincidences.

In the midst of this, may we be reminded that our love for comics transcends the comics themselves? If it's our love for the heroic ideal, may we use that love to improve the lives of our fellow beings. If it's our love for the medium itself, may we use that love to improve the medium (which is, once again, in desperate straits). May Bruce's passing help us to focus on the things which matter, truly matter, in our lives. Fiction is here to enrich our thinking, challenge our thinking, and relax us. Ideally, we should be taking the best things from our fiction (and we comics fans have some very high ideals in our fiction) into Real Life to commit everyday heroics.

From: Greg Theakston
Subject: [kirby-l] Bruce Lowry

Listers,
Sad news indeed. Bruce was a long-time pal and will be missed by all of us.

From: Lyle Tucker
Subject: [kirby-l] The Passing of a Friend

I am stunned. Life should be like a comic book that lasts forever-- friends should *always* be there, like a great Kirby/Sinnott issue of FF that you can pick up anytime you want and receive comfort from. Bruce Lowry's passing is the closing of a book, the ending of a wonderful series where you looked forward to each coming issue. I had hoped to meet Bruce in San Diego this year. We'd passed some wonderful private emails, and his wit and warmth never failed to raise a smile to my lips. "Bluens," as everybody came to know the signature, will be greatly missed. I, of course, offer my condolences to his wife, Ria, and to the many friends I've made over the past coupla years on The Lists--I know his passing hurts. This is a shock that will take awhile to get over. I know that many tears are being shed over the loss of our cyberfriend. Many of us never met you, buddy, but you made a warm impression in our lives. May you rest in peace.

From: Mark Muller
Subject: [kirby-l] Bruce Lowry

Very sad news about Bruce Lowry.

My condolences to his wife and family.

There is not much you can say in situations like this except remember the good things: Bruce sold me my very first pieces of original art (Gil Kane Batman pages), and in my business and private dealings with him was always a gentleman, plus one hell of a funny guy to correspond with.

Thanks,
Mark Muller

From: Curtis Davis
Subject: [kirby-l] My Friend, Bruce Lowry...

Back in the summer of '98 (when I first relocated to Southern California) it was through fellow Kirby-lister, Stan "anabelt" Taylor, that I had the privelege of first meeting Bruce Lowry. After Stan put us in touch, Bruce and I exchanged a couple of personal e-mails, and then he promptly invited me over for dinner. What followed was a terrific evening with Bruce and his lovely wife Ria, (plus their two beloved golden retrievers, Kirby and Kubert) that ultimately blossomed into a wonderful friendship. Since then, Bruce and I had gotten together on a number of occasions. Bruce was always there with an interest about what was going on in my life, ready to talk about politics, law, dogs, girls, and more ... But mostly we just talked about comics.

You see, Bruce was my true "comic pal." I'd come over and he'd usher me into his Comics Room, and we'd spend hours there talking about artists and stories and inkers, and magic. I remember when he gave me my first real-life look at genuine Kirby original art(!) -- we'd go over it together, examining every detail. I remember how he nurtured my love for all things Kirby by loaning out material from his own collection for me to look at and critique. It was he who also got me into other great artists, like Kubert, Kane, Wood, et al. Indeed, his generousity was unbounded, and matched only by his sense of humor.

The last time I saw Bruce was last Tuesday -- the day he and Ria flew out to Costa Rica to celebrate their collective birthdays and wedding anniversary. He showed me his latest (and one of his proudest) original art conquests: an elusive Steranko cover Bruce had cherished since his youth. Of course, Bruce also loaned me another shoebox-full of splendid old comics to peruse ... That same shoebox now sits idle in my apartment, hauntingly. I am saddened by the mere sight of it.

Yet it also makes me happy to know that I gave Bruce a bit of a thrill. He maintained for a long time that the younger generations wouldn't take hold of Kirby and the other comc book Founding Fathers. When I walked into his life, it surprised him. He'd stand there over his art collection with this half-cocked acerbic grin and tell me, "I can't believe you're more than half my age, and you actually like this stuff!" Who knows? Maybe I even gave him a little bit of hope.

And though I will miss our get-togethers, our shared laughter, our Vince Colletta list tag-teams, walks with the dogs and, of course, our passionate discussions -- part of him will always be with me. In all honesty, I remain so touched, and my life so enriched for having known him, that I will never again be able to read a Kirby comic without also thinking of Mr. Bruce Lowry.

Yeah. I think Bruce would like that.

Rest in peace, comic pal.

From: Tom Stewart
Subject: [kirby-l] Bruce and Vince

You know, every time I see Vince Colletta's inks on something, anything, I always think of Bruce, and his utter repulsion at Vince's inks over Jack Kirby. We had some fun posts at Vince's expense, with Bruces' being the most inventive.

I wonder what Bruce would say if he ran into Vince where ever he may be? Surprized that they both wond in the same place?

Bye Bruce.

Tom "The Comics Savant" Stewart.

From: Mark Evanier
Subject: [kirby-l] Bruce Lowry

What awful news to come back to. Bruce was a good guy and we had some wonderful e-mail exchanges.

From: Joe Linehan
Subject: [kirby-l] Bruce Lowry

I hesitate to write this because frankly, I didn't really know Bruce. I can't tell you that I am losing a long time friend. I do know that Bluens was the first person to write me a welcoming message when I came to this group and I do know that his posts gave me quite a few good laughs and more than a bit of knowledge. He was perhaps, the funniest poster on the list. I can't really put a value on the smile or chuckle that I frequently got from his posts, but I do know that my life was somewhat richer for having read his posts on the lists. I will miss them and him and I extend my sympathies to those who knew him better.

From: Dan Jurgens
Subject: [kirby-l] Bruce Lowry

I was greatly saddened to read of Bruce Lowry's death. Every time I saw him it was always a treat, as he was one of the more insightful and pleasant fans one could hope to meet at a con.

My prayers go out to his family.

From: Jeffrey Cooke
Subject: [kirby-l] Bruce Lowry

Im sorry to hear about another loss to our group. I give my condolences to his family and the other members of this group. We have all lost a part of us.

I did not know Bruce personally but knew about him through his postings. When I would disagree with him, I would try and and get information to prove myself right. It led to a lot of reading and asking questions. The only time I was right was when I decided it was OK to disagree, without taking a guy's personal Inventory. I thank Bruce for that!! I hope he realized that he had an positive effect on this life and his presents made a difference.

From: Peter Wallace
Subject: [kirby-l] Bruce Lowry

I propose as many Kirby listers as possible have a wake for Bruce at San Diego.

From: Joseph Cordova
Subject: [kirby-l] Bruce Lowry

Wow.../i never thought anybody would go out here...I never knew him...another blow to all of us comic book collecting fans...
God have mercy on Bruce's soul... :( ;( =__= ;__;

From: Nigel Kitching
Subject: [kirby-l] Bruce Lowry

This is very sad news. I have fond memories of his "discussions" with Lyle over the merits of Vince Colletta. I'm going to miss Bruce on the list.

From: Ross Richie
Subject: [kirby-l] Bruce Lowry

I just got back from a weekend in Vegas to read about Bruce's passing. And I must say, I am shattered.

<< Bruce out of the blue sent me copies of all his recent purchases. He
wanted my uncensored options of the art. (That's one thing I liked about
Bruce, he encouraged your straight-out options of things...unflowered.) >>

That's how I first met Bruce. Over on the Comicart-l, he sent me copies of what he considered his original art "Holy Grails." We discussed them, then he invited me to his home in the Valley, where I met his wonderful wife and three dogs (naturally, Kirby, Kubert, and Kane).

I only visited Bruce twice, and exchanged perhaps a dozen personal e-mails, and in total perhaps only knew him 4-6 months, but I think I saw a side of him few listers ever did. On my second visit to his home, he was selling me some comics, and I spent hours paging through his comic book boxes picking stuff out. We had lots of time to talk. Amazingly enough, the topic of my father's death this past summer came up. It's not something I really talk about in depth to people outside of my close circle of friends and family, but there was something in Bruce's face, in his demeanor, that had me just yammering in no time. God knows Bruce worked double overtime to be a funny curmudgeon, but as I sat there talking about all the stuff that I had been through with my father's passing, I saw real understanding and love in his face. Bruce cared, and he was listening to every word I said. I'm really at a loss to express this in the ways that I'd like to, but I was profoundly touched that someone that I had known for such a brief time could be so compassionate and kind- hearted to a near-stranger.

God bless you, Bluens. Save me a seat up there.

From: Rich Morrissey
Subject: [kirby-l] Bruce Lowry

Let me add my own condolences on the death of Bruce Lowry. Although he had his own opinions and disagreed with many of us, he always did so in good humor and fun and made us all enjoy the interplay, often making us reexamine our own opinions and look at new aspects of Jack Kirby and the other artists we love. His loss is truly a loss for all of us.

From: Tom Kraft
Subject: [kirby-l] Bruce Lowry

The news shocked and saddened me when I read it on the COMICART list yesterday and then once again here on the KIRBY list. All the comments have confirmed Bruces deep influence on both lists and on our lives.

I had the opportunity to meet Bruce in San Diego last August. One night several of us from the Kirby/Comicart lists went up to his room and showed the art we owned. Bruce was very proud of his art and answered any question I had about it. As recently as three weeks ago, I tracked down a Kirby Captain America splash I saw in SD to Bruce (it's on the Fave 5). I ended up buying it. Bruce out of the blue sent me copies of all his recent purchases. He wanted my uncensored options of the art. (That's one thing I liked about Bruce, he encouraged your straight-out options of things...unflowered.) I then send him copies of my Kirby art. We both had the same appreciation for Kirby art and the same preferences in inkers.

He was a gentleman and will be greatly missed by me.

From: Keith Lee
Subject: [kirby-l] Bruce Lowry

All:

I am so sorry that a fellow lister passed away so young and suddenly. I didn't even get a chance to meet him.

Perhaps we should attempt to meet at the most convenient convention time? After all, we have Jack Kirby in common and it would be nice to be able to put a face to the messages written. Frankly, Bruce's death makes me feel a bit more mortal and I would prefer meeting as many of you as possible while we are able.

Sincerely,
Keith Lee

From: Cory Strode
Subject: [kirby-l] Bruce Lowry

Dennis Barger wrote:
<<I, also am Speachless. Bruce will be missed by all of us.>>

Agreed. He was passionate, funny and his contributions to the list will be sorely missed.

From: Jeremy D Lampo
Subject: [kirby-l] Bruce Lowry

Bruce was the only member of the list that I exchanged personal e-mails with. He was also the only member of the list that I ever met in person (at the last San Diego con). He was a really nice guy with a great sense of humor.

I'll miss him.

From: Hafeez Amin
Subject: [kirby-l] Bruce Lowry

May God grant Bruce the gift of eternal peace. I shall miss his dry and incisive wit.

From: Mitch Jomsky
Subject: [kirby-l] Bluens

Very sad to hear about the untimely death of Bruce. He will be missed. My sympathies go out to his friends and family.

Sincerely,
Mitch

From: David Schwartz
Subject: [kirby-l] Bruce Lowry

I've been reading the long list of posts about Bruce and kept wanting to chime in with something, but the truth is, I haven't felt I had much to add. Everything I've read describes Bruce so well, from his kindness in the field, to just what a nice, good-natured guy he was.

I have one anecdote that I'd like to share, which made an impression on me.

I can remember seeing Bruce (I believe it was the first or second time I met him) up at Roz Kirby's house, and he was in the process of buying a Captain America pencil drawing. He inquired about the piece, and Roz wasn't very interested in selling, so she quoted a rather high price to Bruce. To my surprise, Bruce accepted.

I thought that Bruce paid too much for the piece, and that he didn't realize it. But later, upon talking with him further, he said to me that he knew he paid more than market value, but it was the price that Roz wanted, so he was happy to pay it. His reasoning was that:

a) He really wanted to own it, and
b) Paying that dollar amount made Roz feel good about selling it.

It made an impression on me that he took into account not just the lowest price he could potentially get the artwork for, but also the feelings of Jack's widow who was selling something she wasn't particulary interested in selling. I remember being very impressed by this.

I know it's not much of an anecdote, but it fits nicely into the other stories I'm hearing about what a kind-hearted, warm person Bruce was. That was always the impression I got from him as well, and I'm just sorry I didn't have a chance to know him better.

From: Bob Ford
Subject: [kirby-l] Bruce Lowry

I'm in shock. Though I never corresponded with Bruce personally, and
sometimes shook my head in disbelief at his postings, I feel that I've
lost a friend. Which, I suppose, I have, since we had in common a love
of comics (generally) and of Kirby (specifically). Goodbye, Bruce. I
miss you already.

From: Gene Fama
Subject: [kirby-l] Bruce Lowry

Bruce Lowry struck me as a passionate and expressive guy. I enjoyed the
candid take he brought to this list; his way of putting a little fire into
his posts, and his unorthodox views on pet subjects like creator rights.
He was the first guy I had an exchange with when I initially joined up, and
we had some off-list e-mails to make sure we hadn't hurt each other's
feelings. Bruce was a nice guy.

It always seems so unfair when a person dies young. I'm sure everyone on
the list has Bruce and his family in their thoughts and prayers. We'll
miss him.

From: Peter Wallace
Subject: [kirby-l] The Passing of a Friend

Lyle Tucker wrote:
>
> From: Lyle Tucker
>
> I am stunned. Life should be like a comic book that lasts forever--
> friends should *always* be there, like a great Kirby/Sinnott issue of
> FF that you can pick up anytime you want and receive comfort from.
> Bruce Lowry's passing is the closing of a book, the ending of a wonderful
> series where you looked forward to each coming issue. I had hoped
> to meet Bruce in San Diego this year. We'd passed some wonderful private
> emails, and his wit and warmth never failed to raise a smile to my lips.
> "Bluens," as everybody came to know the signature, will be greatly missed.
> I, of course, offer my condolences to his wife, Ria, and to the many
> friends I've made over the past coupla years on The Lists--I know his
> passing hurts. This is a shock that will take awhile to get over. I know
> that many tears are being shed over the loss of our cyberfriend.
> Many of us never met you, buddy, but you made a warm impression
> in our lives. May you rest in peace.

Amen to that Lyle. I too am in shock. Bruce was one of the very first people to introduce me to the wonders of original art collecting. I knew you and he corresponded regularly. Such a loss--and amazing how many lives he touched over the internet. Bless you Bruce. My sympathy to Ria and family too.

From: Gerry Alanguilan
Subject: [kirby-l] Bruce Lowry

Hello. I've been lurking here via a friend's e-mail (Gabriel's) and I've been with the list for some time and Bruce was one of the guys I exchanged personal letters with ( yeah, even snail mails). Guys,
remember when he told us how he had little taste for romance comics? I wrote to him asking if he would like to read something I did, because in my spare time I wrote and drew some comics like that. He said yes but in the end he still liked what he liked. And that was what I liked about him. He stuck to his guns. Ah damn it Bruce, I hardly knew you but I will miss you too.

From: Stan Taylor
Subject: [kirby-l] Bruce Lowry

Hello all,

There are rarely times when I am struck speechless, but the news about my friend Bruce Lowry has upset me terribly. He was the first person on this list that I communicated with personally. We shared stories about Jack, our wives, our animals, vacations, anything you can think of. We had a two year long off list debate about Colletta, that was unlike anything we have ever written on list. We would say the most outrageous things imaginable just to get each others goat, but always knowing that at the heart of the debate was our love of comic books and their creators.

We made tentative plans for the two families to get together, either at San Diego, or Orlando, and now that will never happen. It saddens me that I will never shake his hand, and thank him for all the wonderful conversation he has given me. My deepest condolensces to his family, my heart goes out to the ever patient Ria, and may God have mercy on his Kirby loving soul.

Say hi to Jack for us buddy, we will miss you.

From: Chuck Minkser
Subject: [kirby-l] Bruce Lowry

Like the rest of us, I'm stunned. I didn't always agree with Bruce, but he was a welcome member of the list (if we all agreed, the list would be dull indeed). The world is a sadder place for his loss.

My prayers go out to his family and friends.

From: Dennis Barger
Subject: [kirby-l] Bruce Lowry

I, also am Speechless. Bruce will be missed by all of us.

From: Eric Goebelbecker
Subject: [kirby-l] Bruce Lowry

Wow.

I'm speechless. A sad, sad, day for us all.

From: Kristopher Brownlow
Subject: [kirby-l] Remembering Bruce Lowry

I am very upset to learn of Bruce Lowry's passing. I did not know him personally, but I had exchanged private e-mail with him on a number of occassions.

On our last interchange, some months ago, we had had somewhat of an on list misunderstanding and we both "duked it out" in private. This consisted of 2 letters of verbal warfare from both sides, quickly followed by letters of apology from both sides...which ended up with letters filled with laughter and vows to forget our previous altercation.

Bruce Lowry impressed me as being a true gentleman. He will be missed.