Unfortunate news over the weekend that local wargamer Nick Garden died suddenly at his home. He was only 34 years old.
I didn't know Nick well - my main interaction was through the organising of the Flames of War Masters which he attended.
Nick mainly played Flames of War but he also played Warmachine. He recently finished 3rd at the Panzershreck Teams Event. Nick was an active member of the Hutt Club, where he was on the Committee. I understand that he was also a keen participant in the preparation of the awesome Anzac Diorama at the NZ War Memorial.
Condolences to all his friends and family. Thirty four is far too short a life.
RIP Nick.
Nick finished 2nd Overall in Flames of War
at the 5th New Zealand Masters in 2012
Posted with Blogsy
I am in shock.
ReplyDeleteNick was one of the most brilliant people I have ever had the privilege of meeting. But he combined his mentat like ability with humility and a wonderfully dry sense of humour and great fun to be with. I just can't believe it.
Paul Goldstone
Still very hard to fathom this has occurred to someone so young and to boot someone I never saw take a drink or smoke.
ReplyDeleteEchoing Paul's comment. Nick had a fabulous gamer's mind. That ability to read rules and understand what they intended to mean and also many unattended consequences that hadn't necessarily been in the rule writer's mind.
Made him a wonderful asset as a play tester and several sets of rules, particularly Flames of War, benefited from that special talent.
Playing Nick was always a top challenge because you knew he would have a well thought out list that that he knew exactly what he intended to do with. Played him in the Panzerschreck doubles at the end of July and we managed to pip his team with good dice as much as anything. Two years before at the same comp he wiped the floor with us.
Also an accomplished painter. His 28mm Napoleonic Prussians a particular highlight.
Will attend his funeral on Friday.
Russell
This is seriously tragic news, 34 is far too young!
ReplyDeleteI only played Nick a few times but had a bit to do with him on the flames of war playtesting side of things. He was always a good bloke to play and could spot a hole in the rules and how to exploit it very quickly.