The passing of Kim Mohan and the rippling effect.

Who is Kim Mohan?

Admittedly, until today, I wasn’t even sure.

But I realized, how Kim Mohan had a rippling effect. Let me share what Margaret Weiss and Larry Elmore each wrote…

With such a heavy heart, I mark the death of my friend, Kim Mohan. He was the editor of Dragon Magazine when I joined TSR in 1983. I have to admit that I was in awe of Kim when I first came to TSR. Dragon Magazine was the link that connected D&D fans in those days before the internet. Kim published the first ever Dragonlance story, Test of the Twins, in issue 83 in March 1984. This issue also featured one of the famous Denis Beauvais’ Chess covers, plus one of the best RPG adventures ever, the Dancing Hut of Baba Yaga, by Roger Elwood Moore. Kim’s decision to publish that story brought Dragonlance to the attention of fans and undoubtedly contributed to its future success. My deepest sympathies to Pamela Adams Mohan and the family.

– Margaret Weiss

I just learned, tonight, about the death of Kim Mohan. It really saddens me, Kim was a truly good man! He was the man that gave me my first assignment at TSR! I was working as an illustrator for the government and had gotten a few paintings published, doing freelance work on the side. One day Kim called me and wanted me to do a freelance job for Dragon Magazine… actually it was a painting for their annual calendar. I was so excited and said YES! Kim showed my work to the “powers that were” at TSR and within a few months, my family and I were moving to Lake Geneva Wiscons!! I thanked Kim for what he did for me, he was responsible for me getting a job as an illustrator at TSR! In a huge way, I credit him for my career!! Kim’s death is a loss to me and all the people that knew him! He will forever have a special place in my heart. Both Betty and I send all our love to his wife and family.

– Larry Elmore

So not only did Kim Mohan publish a Dragonlance story in Dragon Magazine (which – along with Dungeon Magazine) were staples in my youth of being into Dungeons & Dragons – but Kim also employed Larry Elmore, who went on to do Dragonlance Chronicles covers (where I truly first got to know of his work) – and made me an instant fan.

This is the rippling effect of someone who passes, who through their actions, also impacted my life, even though I never met them, and tragically, never even knew their name until they were gone.

My belated thanks to Kim Mohan, and my condolences to his family.

• Tawmis