From: "Keith F. Lynch" <kfl at KeithLynch.net>
To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at KeithLynch.net>
Subject: [WSFA] Fwd: Bob Madle centennial
Date: Tue, 26 May 2020 17:29:34 -0400 (EDT)

From: Curt Phillips <absarka_prime at comcast.net>

My apologies to all those who might be seeing this message multiple
times, but it's important to me that this request is distributed
as far throughout fandom as possible.  I hope you won't mind the
inconvenience.

Bob Madle will celebrate his 100th birthday on June 2, 2020.
Originally there was to be a fairly lavish birthday party at Bob's
home in Rockville, MD, but now for obvious reasons that can't happen.
So I have a favor to ask of every Fan reading this message, no matter
where you are.  Would you please join me in sending Bob Madle a
birthday card?

Bob was one of the original members of the fandom we're all part of
today, and is almost the last living link we have with our earliest
history.  He was an original member of the Philadelphia SF Society
and the Science Fiction League.  He was at the 1936 Philadelphia SF
Conference, and was at the first Worldcon in 1939.  He served in WWII,
came home and became a specialty SF book dealer and still operates
that business.  He wrote the column INSIDE SCIENCE FICTION for the
Columbia pulps in the 50's, was the TAFF delegate in 1957, and was for
many years a fixture in convention dealer's rooms everywhere.  He's a
very knowledgeable and passionate science fiction fan and nearly all
of his contemporaries are gone now.  Please join me in sending Bob a
birthday card for his 100th birthday, just to let him know that Fandom
remembers and appreciates his lifetime of devotion to science fiction.
Bob is a good friend whom I last saw about a year ago when I visited
him in Rockville, and I deeply wish that I could be there in person
to wish him a happy birthday this year.  I would love it if the Post
Office delivers a sack full of birthday cards to his home this year,
and that's why I'm asking your help.  Please take a moment to find a
birthday card, or write a note, and drop it in the mail to:

Robert A. Madle
4406 Bestor Drive
Rockville, MD 20853-2137
Tel: (301) 460-4712

Bob doesn't have an email address, and doesn't use a computer so an
old fashioned birthday card is the way to go.  It will be very easy
for each of you to let this request slip by, but I'm asking you to
help make Bob's 100th birthday a little happier by sending that card
or note.  And please help spread the word to every fan and fannish
group you know.  No matter what your fannish interests are, no matter
what area of fandom you might inhabit, comics fan, Star Trek fan,
gamer, filker, cosplayer, fanzine fan, convention fan, or a book &
magazine collector; it all traces back to the fandom of the 1930's and
Bob Madle is right at the heart of it.  He was there in the beginning
and he's still here with us.  This may be your only chance to ever
tell him "thanks" for helping to get Fandom going and for helping to
keep it alive for all of us today.

Please copy this request to any fans or fannish groups you can think
of.  Convention mailing lists, clubs, what have you.  This is a once
in a lifetime event that we all can share in.

If you live outside the US and don't think you can get a card in the
mail in time, you can also email me your greetings for Bob which I'll
print out and promptly mail to him.

My personal thanks to all who help celebrate the 100th birthday of our
friend, Bob Madle.

Best,
Curt Phillips Absarka_prime at comcast.net