h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Douglas... I picked up my copy of the Ultamate Hitchhike3 days before my Freshman year of high school started. That was last August. I was making the transition from a school of 700 students, to a school of more than 5,000. I would have been lost in the crowd there, but as I read through your books, following along Arthur's adventures, I laughed. I truly laughed. I did get lost in the crowd at that school for a while. But I became outgoing from some of the things I read in your books. I followed examples of how to act in certain ways. Thank you for helping make the transition to high school so well. I could have been lost. Your memory will live forever with me.
To the family, who lost a husband, and father; I think he was a great man. I cannot get out the words between sobs of how much his writings did for me.
::: wishes he had his towel to wipe his tears with :::
Douglas, I'm sure that you are among s now. I envy you that, and I hope that I meet you up there someday. Please save me a seat at the Restaraunt.

Tim McGookey,
Canton, Michigan, United States, North America, Earth, Sol, the Milky Way, the Universe.

I feel like I've lost an old friend.
Godspeed on your new journey Douglas.
Rest in peace knowing millions loved you.

Deepest sympathies to Douglas' family and friends

Aaron

A man lying on his back p****d in a field in Austria (was it?) looks up at the stars and thinks "somebody should write a guide to them". Now he's out there for real and if messages turn up on this site about crap coffee on Betelgeuse, we'll know who wrote them.

If there's a fund for a statue of DNA hurling a cup, tell me where to send the money.

Doug Ring

As a mark of respect, I have decided to go out tomorrow and buy a black towel to carry around with me. It'll also come in handy as a handkerchief... perhaps I should buy a couple at least...

It might be nice if other researchers/mourners were to do the same. Even if we can't share in the grief of his family and close friends, as loyal devotees we could show some solidarity, and perhaps share our sorrow with others whom we see carrying a black towel over the next week or so.

Just a thought.

~A~

What a shock. I almost flew.

My condolences to his family and friends.

Sadly missed by us all. Suppose we'll be luch at the Restaurant later.

Till then, so long and Thanks.

Andrew Ross-Costello

It's been said by many people today, and will be said many more times in the future, but it expresses my feelings so well:

So long, and thanks...

...for the words
...for the laughs
...for the universe we all enjoyed

...just thanks.

That should be "do lunch" but what the heck, I'm crying goddamnit!

Regards,
ADRC

God is dead, but hopefully the universe he created lives on.

Mads Cleve, Soenderborg, Denmark.

I'd like to mention a suggestion made by a shocked fan earlier today, as I really do think that a strip of black towel makes the most appropriate arm-band for this terrible, terrible occasion.

Auntie Pegasus comes up trumps again...black towels it is

Early hours of Sunday morning. Weeping at the keyboard. Douglas, I never met you but I feel like I've lost my closest friend. Please God give strength to your wife and daughter at this terrible time. Thank you for making the world a better place. You will live forever in our memories. Andrew Cresswell.

To have so much to say and yet stumble over every syllable.

I couldn't get enough of DNA's work. I read the books, listened to the radio series, read the scripts, watched the TV series, played the text computer game, waited for the movie. Though it was essentially the same story I absorbed every phrase and concept.

From the then 14 year old boy who literally read the covers off every one of your books, to the now 31 year old boy who still finds great pleasure in those pages, as well as all the other mediums Hitch-hikers has been presented in -- including this site: Thank you.

May your word continue to hang in the air in much the same way as bricks don't.

To Douglas' family: my heartfelt condolences. Our words pale to insignificance compared to your loss.

Wowbagger

Dear Douglas,

I was shocked to hear thenews. I had been out in the garden, trying to stop the damn JCB's when my wife gave me the news.
I first got hooked on H2G2 around the age of 9 or 10, listening to it the radio series onmy mums old LW wireless set. Since the I have read all five books in the "trilogy", ans re-read them, and re-re-read them, 9etc, etc). I just couldn't put them down. No book(s) had everset alightmy imasgination as they had. And as I have grown up, I have often recaled passages fromt hem. Even at Uni, I can recall quoting passages when having some meeply deemingful conversation with friends at 3am!

We shall all miss your insight, your wit, and your elegance of writing, yet we will not be sad, for we have been gifted with the everlasting memories of readling, listening to and watching your works.

You have been an inspiration to us all.

Our deepest sympathies and our fondest lovego out to you and your family, and may your daughter grow up to see the fruits of your labour come to pass (just as long as she doesn't turn out to be the poor girl from Rickmansworth!!).

So Long Douglas, and thanks for all thelaughs.

Until we meet again at The Restaurant....

(p.s. Tell Marvin I've got some new diodes for him.)

Michael.
County Durham,
England

Thank you, Mr. Adams, for writing the wittiest book this side of the Restaurant and beyond...

~Black towels, Everyone~

42
Florida, United States

So long and thanks for all the tacos, er I mean books.

There is now a void that cannot be filled. The part of me that laughs, the part of me that dreams, and the part of me that
always waits in keen anticipation of another writing by DA are in
pain now.

I learned from Thomas about a minute ago. I'm still in the state of shock and disbelief. I can only wonder what will be of the guide. It will surely live on after DNA. It is gut-wrenching to think that my name-sake is gone, but yet it is very hopeful to think that he and his work are not forgotten.

Black towels for all.

I can't think of anything to say. My favourite author, gone. The man was a genius. I hope he will never be forgotten.

Rest in peace, and I hope you get an internet connection wherever you are now

I wish to offer my condolences to DNA's family and friends. His writings and visions have meant a lot to me over the years, and it is with great sadness that I realize there will be no more forthcoming.

It's my sincere wish that this site will live on as a legacy to a part of his vision. It is an amazing idea on an informative level, but I think even more importantly, has brought together a large group of intelligent, witty people that have greatly enriched each other's lives.

Thanks for enriching my life, Douglas ...

Barbara Bardenhagen
New York, USA

My condolences to his family, to those who knew and loved the man, and to those who loved his work.

Bill Thompson
Sydney
Australia

Hearing the news of Douglas's death on the radio this morning was a complete shock. Ever since I was 5 his work has been an enjoyable, marvellous, part of my life.

I can only pass on my best wishes and condolances to his family at this very difficult time.

He will be sorely missed by his many millions of fans.

Ed Harrison, London