When I log in here I can see Steve’s draft posts. Therefore I was stunned to see one on the 6th announcing Thomas McIntyre’s untimely death of natural causes at age 70. I waited for Steve to finish his post before saying anything but didn’t see it so I asked about it. Steve was as stunned by his death as I was but has had a bad fall and wanted me to say something for him.
Tom has been mentioned frequently on the blog. He was one of Steve’s good friends and is pictured with Steve above.
Tributes including from John Barsness\Mule Deer. A remembrance by David E. Petzal.
The day after I saw that Tom was gone I saw this article on The Lightning Field. I was always curious about it after seeing the, “They wouldn’t let us run the dogs in the Lightning Field.”, line quoted in the McIntyre chapter (Chapter 79) of Steve’s book on books. It was a good bit of synchronicity to help remember a memorable line by a memorable writer.
Tom’s passing inspired me to look further into his writing. I had read a lot of his material in the past and have some of his books. I found his Augusts in Africa as a digital copy via Hoopla in the library system here and downloaded it. I had forgotten how good of a writer he was. I don’t read much African hunting but I thoroughly enjoyed the book.
Tom was best on the Big Bad Buff, (Syncerus caffer). His reverence for buffalo led him to write his last book, Thunder Without Rain. It promises to be the best book on the subject. Reading his work on buffalo and seeing them through his eyes reminds me of Corbett’s books on tigers. There is a total absorption in the relationship with the animal that I identify with. Tom’s gift of words let him bring that to the rest of us before the days of African hunting close.
In recent months, Tom had become a frequent commenter on my blog, and then suddenly stopped. Now I know why.
I didn’t know him personally, only a bit through his comments. But he was obviously an eclectic, and highly intelligent, thoughtful person. I’m sorry for your loss, and for the loss to his family, and oddly enough, I feel a bit honored to share in that loss.
Thanks, Sam, Sea Run. You would have enjoyed each other.
Really sad to hear this. Tom and I had been corresponding; then I went on the road for parts of October and November. I did not hear from him, but I thought nothing of it
Thunder Without Rain will someday make his reputation as a “Real” writer, not just one of us “sporting” wretches. It is slightly crazed, and without a doubt a masterpiece. I mean: DAVID FUCKING MAMET! Who else among us would have had the balls to approach him, never mind the chops to impress him ?
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