In Memoriam: Joe West

Joseph A West
(14 January 1922 – 11 December 2019)

Every now and then someone enters your life and has a profound impact on it, although you don’t realize it at the time. It’s only years later that the impact becomes apparent.

A few days ago, I learned that a friend of mine, Joseph A West, or Uncle Joe to those of us who knew him, passed away in December, a month shy of his 98th birthday.

Reflecting on the four decades that I knew Uncle Joe, I came to realize that if it wasn’t for him I’d probably not be a writer today. I would not have written the couple thousand poems I wrote, nor have had hundreds of them published. Most likely not a single one of my 30 books would have been published and available for sale on Amazon, Apple, Kobo, and other vendors.

In fact I think I can honestly say if Joe West had not entered my life, it would be a very different life indeed. I seriously doubt I’d be a writer.

Way back in 1973 Weird Tales made a brief 4 issue reappearance, and was edited by Sam Moskowitz. I wrote a letter to the editor welcoming the return of “The Unique Magazine”.

Uncle Joe saw my letter, tracked me down (which took a bit of sleuthing on his part, as I was living with my parents and wasn’t listed in the phone book), and called me on the phone to invite me to a meeting of a local group of horror and pulp fiction aficionados. And the rest, as they say, is history.

The first meeting I attended was held in the home of Jack Koblas, the group leader, and Joe introduced us. Jack subsequently became a well-known biographer and historian. Jack also supported my fledging writing efforts and years later said to me one day: “I believed in you when you didn’t believe in yourself.”

I can thank Uncle Joe for being the one who truly launched my writing career, because he introduced me to Jack and other writers such as Carl Jacobi and Donald Wandrei.

Uncle Joe was an artist and a poet. He drew creepily humorous pen and ink drawings and wrote darkly humorous poems. Everyone loved Joe’s art and poetry and we always looked forward to his hilarious readings of gruesomely funny poems.

My first published poem was in the fanzine The Diversifier, and Uncle Joe graced it with one of his wonderful drawings. An honor indeed!

Aside from his poetry and art, what made Uncle Joe so loved was his kindness and gentleness. To be sure, he had plenty of opinions, but he never let them get in the way of a friendship. He was always supportive and encouraging of other artists and writers.

I will miss him, but he will not be forgotten. His bright smile remains with me.

Joe once told me his favorite book was Rogue Herries by Hugh Walpole. I think I’ll pick up a copy and on his birthday read something that gave my friend pleasure.

Comments are always welcome! And until next time, take time to reflect on, and thank, those who influenced you.