Ten years ago I first met him at the Elster Con weekend in Leipzig, in June 1998. I was not interested in Science Fiction and just accompanied a friend of mine, a publisher and bookseller. So I never read a line of him before, his name meant nothing to me. On that sunday, strolling around on my own, I accidentally bumped into him at St. Thomas Church and we spent the day together, visited a Max Liebermann exhibition at the Museum of Art, had lunch at Auerbach's Keller and talked a lot about art, imagination & life. For me he was not the famous author and critic then, but one of those rare inspiring and intensive chance acquaintanceships, one of the most versatile and spirited minds I ever met.

Thomas Disch committed suicide three days ago. Independence Day.

Rest in peace, Tom.

Tags: death, encounters, thomas m. disch