Hello:
I wanted to thank the hundreds of people who have visited this site and have left heartfelt comments and well wishes for my mother and I. I cannot say how much I appreciate the stories everyone has shared about the games, rulebooks and simply times in which they had the opportunity to meet John Hill. I want to thank Duke Siefferd for his amazing letter he wrote describing my father’s character and sense of humor. It touched everyone who has read it.
I want to encourage everyone to continue posting those awesome comments. I want to assure you they do get read and I have been replying to each of them as early as possible, so you know just how much they mean to both my mother and I, because she sits next to me and reads them too. At times, we tear up at some of the things people have said.
Many people knew my father as a war game designer, but he had many other facets to his life. He was a government military analyst, a railroader, and most importantly (to me anyways), he was a family man. He was a son, brother, husband, father and grandfather, as I have two grown children. To learn more about the other facets to his life, you can navigate to the Additional Links page to view a PowerPoint (PPT) I put together shortly after he passed in preparation for his memorial service we held in January of this year at one of his favorite restaurants in Santa Fe. It is the last link created on that page.
If you wish to connect me with me via social networks, feel free to click on any of the icons listed, because I always enjoy making new friends and new connections.
Thank you again for all your support and incredible kindness and sweet sentiments. Our family finds comfort in knowing how many people adored and loved my father.
Sincerely,
Stephanie
Your site is NICELY DONE and such a wonderful tribute to your dad. When you’re not involved in an area (like me with war games), you don’t have a clue as to the number of people involved in this activity. I remember going out with my ex-husband in our dating days. He was involved in cycling (racing 12 speeds). It opened up a whole new world! Anyway, I deliver mail to a collectibles shop and they are always playing war games! I will pass this site on to the owner tomorrow! Very, very attractive site!
Hi Robin:
Thank you for visiting my father’s tribute site. Pleasure to have you. You are so right about not having a clue as to how many people are involved with an activity when you yourself are not involved with it. I am not a wargamer myself either. Many people ask me that question here within the comments, but I am sorry to say, I did not follow in my father’s footsteps of designing wargames. That being said, I do believe I have inherited his creative genes, because I design websites. So, instead of a game designer, I am a web design, both requiring creativity and hard work.
Anyways, please yes so share this website with the owners of the collectibles shop. I would be highly interested in knowing what they think about this tribute site. Do you know what kind of wargames they play? I am beating, they may be some of my father’s.
Sincerely
Stephanie
I’m so sorry to here of your loss. My father passed away when I was young, and I know it leaves a hole in the heart. I absolutely love the layout of your website. I wish mine could look as professional as this one does. Sending hugs your way!
Christie:
Thank you for the hugs. and thank you also for visiting my site today and leaving a comment. My condolences on the loss of your Dad too. You are right, whenever a parent passes away, it does leave a hole in your heart, no matter if you are young or old. Thank you for the compliments of the layout of the website. I used one of the many themes WordPress has to offer. You can email me if you want more information about what I did to make my site look this professional. I would love to repay the favor and help you if you like.
Have a terrific day and please come back and visit from time to time.
–Stephanie
I am saddened by your most obvious loss but would like to also offer my admiration in continuing with this great site. It is packed with resources, experiences and references. I’ve learned a good many things poking around. I had no idea there were rules for this type of playing field.
I may have missed it but did you participate in any of the gaming?
Hi Debra:
Thank you for your interest. You asked me a really good question on whether or not I participated in the gaming and I am sad to say “No”. I never did participate when my father was alive. I feel somewhat guilty about that because I know he would have liked to have shared his passion with me. I am trying to somewhat make it up to him by developing this tribute site for him. I am hoping it will bring further recognition to him and his accomplishments. I have been told that this site is one of the best advertisements of his products but that is probably because of the emotional connection I have to pulling this site together. Thank you again Debra!
Stephanie
Stephanie, Very sorry to hear about your big loss. I know how you feel – I lost my father recently. They say time is a great healer ? But not when you lose somebody so close to your heart – no way. I am sure you will do a great job looking after your mother. I really wish you well in private and business life. You have amazing talent – wow what an amazing website ! I wish I could build a site half as good ! Unfortunately, I can’t give you any constructive feedback ‘cos can’t see anything to “construct” about ! Congrats again – I am most impressed. Best wishes. Jaspal
Hi Jaspal:
Thank ever so much for the kind words. I am also very sorry for your loss of your own father recently. You are right, when they say time heals all wounds, I think there is no way when you loss such a profound figure in your childhood, upbringing and overall life. It might get easier over time, but I will never fully heal. However, designing this site has been slightly healing. Thank you for the compassion and understanding. And I also thank you for the positive feedback on the website. I do have a rather strong background in web design (I guess you figured as much) and so I was delighted to be able to give this gift to my father and his followers. Your sweet words mean so much to me.
Stephanie