Scientist, Hugo Award winner, and prolific science fiction author and editor Ben Bova passed away on Sunday, November 29, 2020 at the age of 88, Tor.com is able to confirm. The author of more than one hundred books, Bova also edited some of the genre’s best-known publications and served as the president of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America.
Word of Bova’s passing first came from Kathryn Brusco, who revealed that Bova had passed due to complications from COVID-19 and a stroke.
My Uncle Ben…by marriage…science fiction icon, author, adventure lover, story teller, futurist, and my son's namesake, Ben Bova, has passed away this morning from COVID-19 related pneumonia and a stroke. Needless to say, he will be missed terribly by us and the the world. pic.twitter.com/lbuvRLm5V8
— Kathryn Brusco (@KathrynBruscoBk) November 29, 2020
Born in 1932, Bova brought experience to the science fiction genre that few authors could match: he worked as a technical editor for the U.S.’s Project Vanguard, the first effort on the part of the country to launch a satellite into space in 1958. Bova went on to work as a science writer for Avco Everett Research Laboratory, which built the heat shields for the Apollo 11 module, putting man on the Moon and ensuring that science fiction would continue to increasingly define the future.
It was around that time that Bova began writing and publishing science fiction. He published his first novel, The Star Conquerors, in 1959, and followed up with dozens of others in the following years, as well as numerous short stories that appeared in publications such as Amazing Stories, Analog Science Fact and Fiction, Galaxy Magazine, The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, and others.
In 1971, he took over the helm of Analog following the death of its long-running editor, John W. Campbell Jr. — a huge task, given Campbell’s influence on the genre to that point. According to the Encyclopedia of Science Fiction, Bova doubled down on the publication’s tendencies towards technological realism and Hard SF, “but considerably broadened its horizons.” While there, he published notable stories such as Joe Haldeman’s Hero (which became The Forever War), and earned the Hugo Award for Best Editor for numerous consecutive years before stepping down in 1977. From there, he became the first editor of Omni Magazine until 1982, and consulted on television shows such as The Starlost and Land of the Lost.
Bova’s best-known works involved plausible sciences about humanity’s expansion into the universe, looking at how we might adapt to live in space with novels such as 1992’s Mars, about the first human expedition to the red planet. He followed that novel up with additional installments, forming the Grand Tour series, which explored all of the solar system’s major bodies. The latest installment, Uranus, was published in July, and was scheduled to be the first of a trilogy. The second installment, Neptune, is scheduled for release next year. The ESF notes that “the straightforwardness of Bova’s agenda for humanity may mark him as a figure from an earlier era; but the arguments he laces into sometimes overloaded storylines are arguments it is important, perhaps absolutely vital, to make.”
So sorry to hear this terrible news of the end of one of the longest and most distinguished careers in science fiction.
I’m so sorry to hear of Ben’s death. He bought my first story, and later provided the advice and encouragement for me to write my first novel. Over the years, he often provided comments and insight and once even asked me for economic advice.
I’ll be far from the only one who misses him.
Very sad news. I don’t know how much of his work I’ve read. Lots. And even more of the work he edited.
Per aspera ad astra, Mr. Bova.
The world is diminished, certainly mine is. Almost three decades working for him .
I haven’t read him for ages now, but I remember him as being hella entertaining. I’ve also heard stories for years of his kindness and encouragement. Sounds like a prodigious light has gone out.
He was one of the authors I read in my formative reading years. And one I stuck with even after my tastes shifted from science fiction to fantasy.
Now I need to find something he’s written that I haven’t read.
I just recently read Uranus. Ben Bova has been one of my favorite SF writers in my 55 years. I will sorely miss his vision and hope for humanity.
His book on writing science fiction was the lightbulb moment for me on plot and character, and the start of my writing career. RIP, Mr Bova.
Without Ben, I wouldn’t have my career as a short story editor. He hired me at OMNI as Associate Fiction Editor-the only things he knew about me was the I had worked in book publishing for several years (not in genre), that I read and loved sf and fantasy, and that I wouldn’t stop nagging him for a job at the relatively new magazine. RIP, Ben. And thank you for taking a chance on a total stranger.
Such a nice message ♥️
Desperately sad to hear of the death of one of the true greats of SF. I’ve been a huge fan of his work for the longest time.
He brought joy to many and I’m sure he will be greatly missed
Very sad to hear about Ben’s passing. I knew Ben from Analog, and when I heard about Omni I called to ask him about writing nonfiction for them. Writing about lasers — and having sold nonfiction to Ben at Analog — helped me get in the door, and writing for Omni helped shape my career. A great guy.
He was a giant in the field, and a nice guy as well. I was always in awe at how many things he was good at. Another of his discoveries was Spider Robinson.
The Dueling Machine was the first “grownup” SF I remember reading, it was sort of mis-shelved on the Juvenile Fiction racks at the library, I read it probably fifth grade. Full-immersion VR written in 1969.
His first book “The Star Conquerors” was the first science fiction book that I ever read. I gave a book report on it about 1968 in something like the 5th grade and never forgot it. It changed me and I have been a science fiction fan and futurist ever since.
He gave me the best advice I have ever received as a writer, which I apply to everything I do, “always take your work seriously, never take yourself seriously.”
Ben was an unfailing source of support and advice when I was SFWA President. That, and he was one of the nicest people in the business, in addition to providing decades of immensely enjoyable reading.
When I was young, I dearly loved the Kinsman series. Along with Robert Heinlein and Mike Harrington, it made me the person I am, for good bad or indifferent.
Thank you, sir. May you rest gently in the light.
Years ago, there was a fantasy RPG book published by Gamelords that was full of NPCs with pun names. One was “Eddetor ben Bova.” Ave atque vale, sir.
I am saddened to read this. Among the first science-fiction novels I ever read were THE STAR CONQUERORS and STAR WATCHMAN. I loved them both, and never understood why Mr. Bova wasn’t proud of THE STAR CONQUERORS as it is classic sci-fi.
I had always hoped to meet him and get him to sign my copies of those two books, and now that will never happen…
GOOD INNINGS, Sir. But we would have had you here for longer. if we could.
A pleasure being in your occasional orbit.
Your admirer, Jane Yolen
Ben was the godfather of my book The Synopsis Treasury years ago. He had pushed me to put it together, supported my efforts, and offered council along the way. He was its first submission to get me started. He referred me to Barbara as an agent, who shopped the book. He wanted me to succeed. He was a giant in the world of science and science fiction as a writer, an editor and a professor. He was my mentor.
Bova was definitely one of the good guys; I remember him being almost embarassed when he got his 4th-in-a-row Best Professional Editor Hugo, urging the audience to be aware that there were a number of worthy editors in the field. I also remember him speaking triumphantly of getting one particularly wretched bit of scientific illiteracy out of The Starlost. (Somebody wanted a sailing ship’s wooden steering wheel rocking back and forth in the empty Star Trek – style cockpit to symbolize the generation ship’s undirected drifting.) IIRC he said it was the only advice they actually took.
Ben is now galivanting about with Sam Gunn.
Ben had the dubious honor of reading the very first story I ever submitted to any magazine when he was at Analog and I was 14 years old. The story was completely unpublishable but Ben treated me with courtesy and respect. It meant a lot to a kid with dreams of being a writer. Years later I let him know how much I appreciated his kindness and professionalism. He was one of the best.
I love reading your stories, and subscribedo to Omni where I was introduced to so many other great writers. You have been a part of my life for so long. Thank you for opening new worlds to us. I will miss you.
My sympathy to your family. God bless
I met Ben Bova over breakfast one October morning years ago when he was Guest of Honor at MileHiCon in Denver. A more friendly, gracious, intelligent man it has rarely been my pleasure to share a meal with. Some time later he did me the favor of signing my (60 or 70) copies of books that he had written or edited and mailing them back to me in Colorado. It was a small gesture on his part, but it meant an enormous amount to me. I’ve been one of his most dedicated and satisfied readers for decades. His passing is a great loss to the field of science fiction, but an even greater loss to me personally. I feel as if an old friend has died — but he has left behind a body of work that I can read and reread for the rest of my life. Ben’s words, ideas, and stories live on, for which I shall always be grateful. Thank you for all of it, Ben. Godspeed.
I’ve been reading Ben Bova’s written and edited Sf since he became editor of Analog in 1971. I love his hard SF. 18 of the 23 books comprising his Grand Tour of the solar system are sitting on the book shelf behind me as I write this note. To say he was one of my SF heroes is an understatement.
The passing of writer Ben Bova, is another sad day in the world of science fiction and science itself. I had the extreme pleasure of exchanging letters with Ben a number of years ago. He will be missed and never replaced.
I often used to see Ben Bova walking the beach in Naples years ago. My brother and I were and are huge SF fans but we were always respectful of his privacy.
I know that somewhere my brother and Ben have connected and Im sure the conversation is about a great story idea.
Gentlemen, I’ll be joining you all on the astral plain, just not to soon. I’m not broke yet.
My condolences to Ben Bova’s family and all who love him. The real adventure has begun.
To have had the success he had and to have lived 88 years is a pretty good life.
Of course, I would have preferred for him to have another 12 healthy years, but it’s hard to feel sorry for him.
I will miss him. I considered him a friend and a real all around great guy. He always had time for his friends, family and fans.
He will be missed by all.
Bova left Analog late 1978 (not ’77)
Ben Bova, January 1972 – November 1978
Stanley Schmidt, December 1978 – August 2012
Trevor Q. now.
R.I.P. Ben Bova!
Reading his The Weathermakers at a very impressionable age taught me the importance of putting fully fleshed-out characters in your stories.
Rest in peace. One of the great ones.
He wrote this non-fiction book: The craft of writing science fiction that sells. He knew his chops. It is a good reading.
https://www.amazon.com/Craft-Writing-Science-Fiction-Sells/dp/1539016129
I echo the comment earlier: Ben’s first novel, The Star Conquerors, was the first sci-fi book I read as a child and hooked me on the genre for life. I’ve read most of his books and about every 10 years, I re-read Star Conquerors to relive my youth and the thrill of an experience that accelerated my growth into a life long reader. He’ll be missed.
Very sad news.
Bova was one of my preferred authors, I’ve been reading his books for the best part of 30 years,and have read and enjoyed almost everything he wrote. He was one of the last survivors of the great age of Science Fiction, on par with Robert Heinlein, Isaac Asimov, Arthur Clarke and so many others that have already left us.
Rest in peace, Mr. Bova, and know that your star will always shine on us readers every time we read or re-read one of your wonderful books.
Good man, and amazingly productive.
Among many other debts, I memorably owe him for the chance to see the STS-1 launch. He was going himself, of course, and OMNI didn’t need another reporter there. All I wanted was press credentials to get on site. Would have been happy to pay my own way.
Credit where it’s due, however. Ben was OMNI’s second editor. The first was Frank Kendig. He was there at the beginning, perhaps six months before the first issue appeared, and did a lot to set the magazine’s optimistic tone. He died quite some time ago; 2002 comes to mind.
I was in the midst of VENUS, spending the last two weeks trying to decide whether or not to spring for the $70 Grand Tour volume on kindle, and then came the news about Mr. Bova’s death.
Further proof of Art=1; Life=0.
All of my heartfelt love to Mr.Bova’s family, friends, admirers. I wish I had known him personally.
Damn Covid! Ben Bova will be greatly missed! I love his books and will make sure to get my hands on his new books! He has been a main stays for SF books! Rest in Peace!