It is with a sad heart that I relate the sudden, tragic passing of Britt “Tetsujin28″ Daniel. Britt died in a motorcycle accident on Wednesday, July 26, 2006, at the age of 39.

In the way of life, there are always words left unsaid and things left undone. My last conversation with Britt was several weeks ago – we looked forward to meeting at Endgame’s mini-con in mid-July, but unfortunately weren’t able to sync up. I really wish we had.

I met Britt several years ago, and first in person at the Bay Area’s Dundracon. I remember quite a few Guinness were consumed at that meeting, and thereafter. He was a Bay Area local, and an OG (original gamer) of the hobby. He had been playing games for longer than I, and that’s saying something.

Britt was always at ready with a friendship. He struck me as someone who wanted to facilitate connections in life for the people he knew. He introduced me to several folks I didn’t know, and he was a mutual friend among several friendships I already had.

Britt wasn’t a saint; so few of us are. You always knew where you stood with him. He called ‘em the way he saw ‘em, and he wasn’t the least bit shy in speaking up. He was opinionated, quirky, and had a great sarcastic wit. He enjoyed the art of the argument and debated frequently at RPG.net. He always spoke highly of his friends; he had quite a few.

Britt showed me where to find a really, really good hot pastrami sandwich in the Bay Area, and together we lamented the lack of good Jewish soul food on the West Coast.

Britt was around from the earliest days of the hobby. He was a Chaosium regular back in the day, and knew a-plenty about the inner workings of the industry. We always had a great time talking about the old days, the early days, and the problems with whippersnappers today. To say that Britt loved games would be an understatement.

At times like these, while our thoughts are diligently supposed to be with the family and friends, they are inevitably of ourselves, and how our lives seem lessened by the passing. We stumble, thrash, and regret, and in doing so, we bear witness to the impact our friend has had on our lives, small or large. Britt’s untimely passing leaves a hole in many lives, and a hole in the Bay Area community in which he was a part. I know he is deeply missed by family and friends.

Goodbye, Britt. :(

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As of 7/31, we have some updates:

Cards and letters of condolence may be sent to

Andrea Daniel (mother)
Evan Daniel (brother)

care of

EndGame
921 Washington St.
Oakland, CA 94607

It is requested that flowers not be sent.

The service for Britt will be held Friday, 8/4, at noon, Mountain View Cemetery 5000 Peidmont Ave Oakland, CA 94611 (877) 248-4280

If you care to make a donation in Britt’s name, it is communicated that Britt would have wanted these charities to be the recipients:

The Judah L. Magnes Museum
2911 Russell Street
Berkeley, CA 94705
510-549-6950

Saint Mary’s College of California: Scholarship Fund
P.O. Box 4300
Moraga, CA 94575-4300