Writer and fan, John Pierce Askegren died in his home during the last week in November, 2006. He was 51. His unexpected death was of natural causes.

Born on June 9, 1955 in Pittsburgh, PA to Kenneth and Jacqueline Askegren, Pierce graduated From Broad Run High School in Ashburn Virginia in 1973. He graduated from James Madison University in 1978 with a Bachelors of Arts in Communication Arts. He worked in various capacities but really enjoyed Managing Crown Books Stores in the Washington DC area the most. He moved on to further his career as a technical writer at ACS Corporation and then with C2 Corporation in Northern Virginia.

Pierce was a comic book fan and loved writing Science Fiction and Horror stories. It was his obsession since childhood. He was a regular contributor to the obituaries posted here at the SFWA website. His professional publications included the novels Collateral Damage and Afterimage, as well as writing works for hire, including many for Marvel Comics’ characters. His last short story, "Try and Try Again," will appear in the anthology Time Twisters, coming out from Daw on January 2nd.

He is survived by two brothers, Robert and Jim, a sister Margaret, and a nephew James along with countless numbers of friends and fans.

Pierce Askegren tribute by Keith R.A. DeCandido.

Appreciation in the Washington Post.