The fandom lost a great OG artist on the 29th of May.  Scott_Ruggels passed away unexpectedly after a long bout of complications due to a stroke he suffered 5 years ago. He was on the kidney transplant list, scheduled for late November.

I've known Scott since 1986, when I first met him at BayCon. He was this young, excited, talented artist, a keen historian, knowledgeable on the military. Along with a wicked sense of humor. Scott also over the years following got involved in the Red Shetland comics as an idea man, layout and character design, and even inker in several issues. He and I were discussing how to bring back Red Shetland in a 64 page bound format with new stories. Scott also created Sir Karl, mainly as a throw away character, but we both liked the guy and developed him further, later to become Red's lover.

Scott also was a type of person who would advise an artist on design, layout, character construction, format and was also a veteran digital draftsman in gaming designs and development. Much of his creations were in Second Life as well along with numerous gaming companies. His character layouts were well thought out and planned.

Scott was also one of the original Barr Warriors along side myself, Donna Barr, Terrie Smith , Diana Stein, Mel White, Karno, Roberta Gregory , April Lee and Melody Rondeau. Numerous others would later join the battles of artistic zaps at each other. The Barr Warriors also knew when to not cross the line and had much thicker skins than much of todays furry artists, Who would likely throw tantrums that their characters were picked on or insulted or teased then go crying on social media demanding social cancellation of those involved.

Scott was also a proud American, supporter of the military. Scott also got me into WW2 Reenactments. Taught me numerous things, battle tactics, what to look for in ways of gear. We both helped each other obtain said gear used. As we got older, we gradually slipped out of reenacting, mainly over we weren't young any more and the body can only take so much.

Scott was also my Best Man along side Ted Sheppard at my wedding at Confurence 5 in LA. Scott was also a regular at cons on the west coast, always dressed up in a suit and tie along with his US Cavalry hat. At GenCon Scott was always present there as well when it was held in Milwaukee. He got me to attend GenCon starting in 1992 til it eventually left some years later for Indianapolis. He and I often visited each other, in Arizona and later Wisconsin and I would go out to California and stay with him there.

Scott and I would also discuss a wide variety of things, online and on the phone over the years. And was a steady rock when things got rough. But Scott also suffered a stroke five years ago and was in a coma for several weeks, under going rehabilitation for months. But added a heart attack a few months later, further damaging his body. Scott was on dialysis three times a week, as I jokingly called them his weekly oil changes. He and I last talked on the phone May 25th when I was looking for DVDs he wanted. Then again on May 30th I tried calling, got no answer, figuring he was out at his mom's place. I noticed he was Radio Silent for a few days, tried calling him the morning of June 4th, left a message that I was worried and hoped he was okay and to call me back. Later that evening I found two more DVDs he was looking for, called again and left a message that I found them and again requested a return call. Five minutes later I get a call from  brombear that Scott had passed away , date unknown. Followed by the numerous others here on FA, all shocked and saddened at his sudden passing.

Scott's death has seriously hammered me, much like when McMoo, Ted Sheppard and Mavra died. Thus Scott earned a full color Memorial strip, being the fifth one to earn this. Bob Keeshan (Captain Kangaroo), Frank Throne, Mavra, Ted Sheppard and now Scott Ruggels.

Vaya Con Dios Scott. Say Hi to the crew for me. Seriously miss you old buddy. At least you no longer are suffering and in a better place.

Wonderfully colored up by my partner, Richard Konkle.