It is with great sadness and bittersweet admiration that I bid farewell to one of the most amazing and influential Fantasy writers this world has had the pleasure of knowing.

On Sept 17th, Robert Jordan, known as James Oliver Rigney Jr. to his friends, passed away at age 58 due to a rare blood disease. He was best known for his best-selling novel series, "The Wheel of Time," but was also a man of great accomplishment in other aspects. A graduate of The Citadel, South Carolina's state military college, Rigney worked as a nuclear engineer at the old Charleston Naval Shipyard before taking up writing full time in 1977. He served two tours of duty with the Army in Vietnam. He was decorated several times, including winning the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Bronze Star.

Jordan's loss will be distinctly felt in the world of fantasy literature, leaving behind a yet unfinished 12th book to his series that may never see publication. Evenso, the legacy he created in his "Wheel of Time" series will carry his name into stuff of legends. And he will forever have a special place in my heart for opening my child's eyes to the wonderful possibilities of the imagination.

Bless you, Robert Jordan, and Rest in Peace.

~Kit