It is, very sadly, true that he has journeyed to the far green country under a swift sunrise. Confirmed by his wife and posted by Carl F. Hofstetter on the Mythopoeic Society's Facebook page. A sudden heart attack at the very young age of 55. Ted Nasmith also wrote a moving tribute to their friendship and Jef's contribution to the Tolkien community on his FB page.
I knew him slightly--bought Black and White Ogre Country from him and discussed with him his illustrations, which I thought captured the whimsy of the vignettes so well. He was a gracious and kind soul as well as a superb illustrator, although I have to admit that I found his interpretation of Tolkien too rigid and doctrinaire. Our world views were worlds apart. Yet he contributed much to the study of Tolkien and fantasy.
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I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.
Last edited by Bęthberry; 08-04-2015 at 05:07 PM.
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