Heraclea

[_NOPE_]

It is with the heaviest of hearts that I must report the passing of my friend, @Heraclea, known to "real life" humans as Steve Gustafson, who passed away peacefully on Sunday December 19th.
 
I've "known" him for over 17 years, ever since we first "met" on the original City of Heroes forums. We've stayed in constant casual contact since then. He was a constant and comforting presence in my life, and he will be missed by all who knew him. I can honestly say that I've never in my life felt a death so singularly hard and instantaneous as I felt when I learned of Steve's passing, less than an hour ago. While we never met in real life (or even in game!) we've had so many constant interactions over the years on Facebook, and on various internet forums, that he felt to me like my own blood.

Those that know him casually will remember him as a man that respected and admired women, especially "good girls", and girls of great strength and power (as his DeviantArt page will attest to - https://www.deviantart.com/ihcoyc). He was a man who was OBSESSED with language more than any person I've ever heard of this side of Tolkien. His Wikipedia user page will show the vociferousness ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Ihcoyc ) of his spirit, which I'm sure he would proudly proclaim to be full of both virtue and sin in equal measure, and whose cromulent words I suspect will surely embiggen us all well into the future.
 
For me, personally, he was a man of character, and great personal fortitude. He was a man that knew not only himself, but the nature of man, and didn't shy away from it. He was a man that mistrusted authority, and fought dogma head on, whether it come from religion, science, or any other human construct. He was a man that I will personally miss as a great human, a great man, and a great role model. If I could end my life having become as eclectic and rich of a personality as my friend Steve was, I would consider mine a life well spent.

May you rest in peace, Steve, and may you find solace that humanity will march on and continue to create great works of literature and art, and that your place in that history will not be forgotten as long as anyone that ever knew you, lives.

Humanitas haesitans sine te.

 

 

Those that wish to honor his memory on his personal facebook page may do so here:

https://www.facebook.com/steve.gustafson.547

Edited December 21, 2021 by The Philotic Knight

[The_Warpact]

Good grief...

 

Such a shame, such a loss.

[PapaSlade]

Deepest condolences PK.  I only knew Hera thru countless Tanker Tuesday runs and always new it would be a good run with them in the lead or on the team.   

 

The battle cries were always on point and I often found myself with a profound need to go read a book after a few hours teaming with Hera.  

 

I know many of us will look to honor our memories of Hera for as long as we strive to make both our worlds a better place. 

[Anyad]

What awful news, Hera was just recently added to our SG on Torchbearer. I met him on our daily Hami raids he was a regular on the range team (Team Canon). He was always kind and very personable and fit in very well with everyone.  Always willing to join what ever crazy adventures we would run.  OMG...he was a regular on my iMSR on Fridays and just loved all his Macros he would have for all his toons. Crey Proctologist macros were by far the funniest and favorite for the macros he would make for it.

 

If any one does not recognize his main here is a list of the Alts he played with myself as. Heraclea, Pomba Gira, Maiden Heaven, Ranavalona, Circe of Aeaea, Yamnaya, Elisabeth Bathory, Omphale, Baroness Munchhausen, Carlos Rey, Hassan i Sabbah, Ancient of Anxiety, Jungle Jenny, Graf von Dampffahrt, Arbiter Friendly, Bridget Fitch, Sabra, Crey Proctologist, Mormon in Khaki, Retiaria, Bonquers.

He was a good SG member, team mate community member and a friend

 

Very sad, wish the best for his friends and Family especially during the holiday season which is just the worst time to lose someone

 

Hera:

As an Emp I rez'd ya many times, but this the one time I can't hurts the most😢

Loved by all and will be forgotten by no one. 

Anyad

 

[Luminara]

There was a comment in another thread about pillars of the community.

 

One of those pillars has fallen.

[BelleSorciere]

Thank you for passing this news along. We used to be on a forum where several of us planned to play Champions, and he's going to be missed.

[PeregrineFalcon]

I remember Heraclea from the retail forums, and game, and knew him from many adventures during Tanker Tuesday.

 

I agree. One of the pillars of our community has fallen.

 

Rest in peace, Steve. Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand.

[Rikis]

He will be missed. And thank you too @The Philotic Knight for founding Unleashed without which Heraclea and I wouldn't have befriended each other.

 

/em holdtorch

[Kalikamata]

Such sad news. Hera was always fun to team with. He will be sorely missed. 

[Warboss]

"Hera" as we knew him at Tanker Tuesdays was a great teammate and member of the Tanker community. His presence will be missed at our events. Go in peace Hera, the TTers are better for having known you.

[Ronin_Around]

Terrible news to hear. Thank you for posting this update, Philotic Knight.

Heraclea was always a pleasure to team with, many a Tanker Tuesday was made even more fun by having them on the team.

His base building skills were exceptional as well. The detail and effort he put into many bases was truly impressive.

 

Heraclea and all their alts will be greatly missed.

[Coyotedancer]

'Gonna miss Hera... A most excellent person, with most excellent taste in music and Tanks. 

[UltraAlt]

6 hours ago, The Philotic Knight said:

It is with the heaviest of hearts that I must report the passing of my friend, @Heraclea, known to "real life" humans as Steve Gustafson, who passed away peacefully on Sunday December 19th.

 

I don't drink much anymore, but here's one for you, Jukebox hero.

 

 

[Darmian]

Damn. Just damn. Condolences to all who knew him. 

[Fire Chief]

Truly sad. Will miss you.

[tidge]

He'll be missed. I'm proud to say that the Heraclea (on Torchbearer) accompanied one of my toons on the mission to earn her  "Mistress of Olympus" badge.

[Cancrusher]

Very sad.  I always appreciated his forum posts.  My condolences to his friends and family.

[ThaOGDreamWeaver]

Didn't run across @Heraclea except here, but loved their forum posts (and musical taste). May they rest in light.

[DoctorDitko]

A voice of wit and reason on the forum, and the person who made me dredge up more Latin than anyone else, ever!

 

Quo fas et gloria mundi

 

[Nyghtmaire]

23 minutes ago, ThaOGDreamWeaver said:

Didn't run across @Heraclea except here, but loved their forum posts (and musical taste). May they rest in light.

Seconding the musical tastes. We had a couple discussions on these boards about good tunes. He was definitely a poster I enjoyed reading.

 

My heart goes out to everyone touched by this loss. Condolences to friends and family. 
 

And as @DoctorDitko mentioned, Latin was the key. CJ Cherryh has a nice (free) tutorial; I intend to delve in Heraclea’s memory.

 

https://www.cherryh.com/www/latin1.htm

 

Edit / and in honor of his humor:

 

 

Edited December 22, 2021 by Nyghtmaire

[Bionic_Flea]

Damn sad news.  He spent the last month posting songs in the Jukebox thread:

 

May he rest in peace. 

 

[InvaderStych]

I did not know him outside this forum, but he was quite clearly an artist, gentleman, and scholar who will be dearly missed by the many communities he touched.

 

 

[Erratic1]

I am shocked and saddened to hear this. I only knew Heraclea through thoughtful, inviting, and informative forum posts.

 

My sincere condolences to friends and family.

 

 

 

Edited December 22, 2021 by Erratic1
typo

[Nerio72]

Very sorry to hear this. Condolences to his family, friends and anyone else his life touched. I only know him from his posts on these forums, always seemed to be helpful, funny, and truly loved this game.

/em holdtorch

[Tidbit]

I remember him from the live forums and had teamed with him once or twice here.  So sorry to hear this.