12-09-2011, 04:01 AM
I just heard that my friend Tom Coveny passed away. His
demise ends the life of someone for whom wargaming was a passion.
I met Tom in the summer of ’86 just before going on my send
tour of enlistment in the Army. I was interested in history and I found out
that TRW in Manhattan Beach, California was home to a wargaming group and I
popped in. He and I got into talking about history and Tom was knowledgeable in
some of the esoteric aspects of history, especially the logistical side.
Let me describe Tom. Picture of one of those Civil War
graybeards with a long and fluffy white beard framing the mouth and chin and a
bald pate Now change the clothing to a T-shirt, shorts and floppy slippers he insists
in wearing under all weather conditions…even in the depth of winter. And the
T-shirt would have a picture of Marvin the Martian. That would be Tom. This was
in 1986 and his appearance didn’t change much since that time.
I renewed my acquaintance with Tom again when I got out of
the Army in 1990 and went back to college. I fell into his circle of friends
who would wargame in his house every Friday night. We are guys ranging from
college age to middle age of various professions, but we were all united by the
wargaming habit. We played miniatures and board games of every era and genre
save one. Moderns. Tom’s philosophy is that any period after the Napoleonic war
is too complex and yet at the same time too simple to simulate on the board
Tom was very knowledgeable about war-gaming design and had
designed a few war games himself (Don’t ask me which ones). He was the pusher
who introduced me into wargaming habit. He did warn me it was going to be an
expensive habit, but I didn’t listen. He would remark, “Well, I did warn you”
with a smirk when I complained that the hobby was going to beggar me many
times.
Tom was also the one responsible for corrupting me into a
liberal. I was a Reagan conservative when I got out of the Army. He was a
progressive anarchist. We had a lot of political discussions over the course of
the years. His arguments were compelling at times that I had to concede he had
a point. “And if I comb my hair, it
doesn’t show” was his trademark rejoinder. Of course, he didn’t have any hair even
at that time, so it is a moot point.
Life forced me to move away from close contact with him 2
years ago and I didn’t get back in touch with him until this Monday. We fell
into the old pattern of political debate and I told him I’d call back when I am
able. And today I learned he died.
Tom, I hope they got enough boardgames and miniatures to
keep you happy wherever you landed. Thank you for the fun times you shared with
the guys in the Southern California wargaming community. And thank you for
being part of my life for the past 24 years.
__________________
Into terror!, Into valour!
Charge ahead! No! Never turn
Yes, it's into the fire we fly
And the devil will burn!
- Scarlett Pimpernell
demise ends the life of someone for whom wargaming was a passion.
I met Tom in the summer of ’86 just before going on my send
tour of enlistment in the Army. I was interested in history and I found out
that TRW in Manhattan Beach, California was home to a wargaming group and I
popped in. He and I got into talking about history and Tom was knowledgeable in
some of the esoteric aspects of history, especially the logistical side.
Let me describe Tom. Picture of one of those Civil War
graybeards with a long and fluffy white beard framing the mouth and chin and a
bald pate Now change the clothing to a T-shirt, shorts and floppy slippers he insists
in wearing under all weather conditions…even in the depth of winter. And the
T-shirt would have a picture of Marvin the Martian. That would be Tom. This was
in 1986 and his appearance didn’t change much since that time.
I renewed my acquaintance with Tom again when I got out of
the Army in 1990 and went back to college. I fell into his circle of friends
who would wargame in his house every Friday night. We are guys ranging from
college age to middle age of various professions, but we were all united by the
wargaming habit. We played miniatures and board games of every era and genre
save one. Moderns. Tom’s philosophy is that any period after the Napoleonic war
is too complex and yet at the same time too simple to simulate on the board
Tom was very knowledgeable about war-gaming design and had
designed a few war games himself (Don’t ask me which ones). He was the pusher
who introduced me into wargaming habit. He did warn me it was going to be an
expensive habit, but I didn’t listen. He would remark, “Well, I did warn you”
with a smirk when I complained that the hobby was going to beggar me many
times.
Tom was also the one responsible for corrupting me into a
liberal. I was a Reagan conservative when I got out of the Army. He was a
progressive anarchist. We had a lot of political discussions over the course of
the years. His arguments were compelling at times that I had to concede he had
a point. “And if I comb my hair, it
doesn’t show” was his trademark rejoinder. Of course, he didn’t have any hair even
at that time, so it is a moot point.
Life forced me to move away from close contact with him 2
years ago and I didn’t get back in touch with him until this Monday. We fell
into the old pattern of political debate and I told him I’d call back when I am
able. And today I learned he died.
Tom, I hope they got enough boardgames and miniatures to
keep you happy wherever you landed. Thank you for the fun times you shared with
the guys in the Southern California wargaming community. And thank you for
being part of my life for the past 24 years.
__________________
Into terror!, Into valour!
Charge ahead! No! Never turn
Yes, it's into the fire we fly
And the devil will burn!
- Scarlett Pimpernell