A Gary Gygax Story

Sometime in 82, I had come into the corporate office of TSR on Silver Springs during the Greyhawk Project, but I'd made a bet that my soles were tough enough to walk Lake Geneva without shoes the whole summer, including through our bar alleys (big resort town) covered with bottle glass shards. So I was barefoot at the receptionist, who refused to let me in for that reason, so I asked her to call Gary and waited while I watched a sad exchange between her, two concerned parents, and a young D&D fan.

This boy's parents had driven 300 miles off their summer vacation route so Jr. could meet Gary. But Gary had "important" meetings scheduled and couldn't come out. They stood there, saddened, discussing in hushed tones what to do while the receptionist ushered me in (sans shoes, corporate? Pffffft!)

Luckily, Gary's office had a private, windowed parking-lot entrance, so when I entered his office, I could point out the downtrodden family walking slowly to their car.

Gary, surprised, leaped out of his chair and ran out there, finger up, "Ho there!"

I will never forget all the emotions. The relief on the parents' faces, their sudden upright postures, and the kid, stunned by Gary's presence, beaming from side to side!

Every time I tell this story, I tear up just a little.

It was beautiful, and it said everything about Gary as just a guy.

He would do anything for a fan. These were his people, and he was grateful for having them, and he understood who he would be without them.

Years later, at the brokerage, I gained top honors in customer service because just watching Gary's kindness that day told me everything I needed to know about real, lasting customer service. Service to one's fellow beings who could just as well be you. I went on to teach customer service using this story to open every class, and because of that, I was promoted to sole tech trainer for the entire 2800-person firm.

How many of us gamers owe our jobs and careers to Gary's impetus? 

I thanked Gary at a Lake Geneva convention hosted by Troll Lords somewhat before he passed, and the last time I conversed with him.