Tony Hillerman walked into a discussion group down in New Mexico several years ago. There were about 12 of us in the room, and Tony took a seat in the back of the place. Our moderator, John Dunning, mentioned Tony and started telling a story about him. It seems that Tony’s first agent placed his first book with a publisher and the publisher asked for a meeting with the young author. They talked for awhile, and finally the publisher said…”Tony, we love the book. Love the story. But you’ve got to do one thing for us.” When Hillerman asked for clarification, the man said, “Lose the Indians.”

Tony Hillerman didn’t ‘lose’ the Indians. They were a strong part of his wonderful stories. I had heard that Hillerman had a bad case of arthritis and did not like signing books. My brother, an avid fan, was approaching his 50th birthday, and I wanted to have Hillerman sign one book for him. He graciously agreed. Pulling out his own pen, he started writing, and writing, and writing. I can’t remember everything he wrote, but he mentioned turning fifty, the importance of half a decade etc. etc. etc. For someone who didn’t want to sign, he was all over that book.

Tony died yesterday. He was a wonderful story teller, a generous soul, and someone who stood up for his principals. We could all take a lesson from the old pro. Rest in peace, Tony.