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  Home Page » Opinion » Columnists » My Turn » A Final Salute To A Good Friend Author Tony Hillerman

A final salute to a good friend: Author Tony Hillerman

I was deeply saddened when I heard of the death of author Tony Hillerman earlier this month.

He was a longtime friend and a wonderful man. Furthermore, he was a supporter of my poetry, and told
anyone who would listen that I wrote first-rate verse.

At the same time, I considered him to be the best mystery writer in America.

We often chatted on the phone and corresponded. Hence, I've been going through the many brief letters we shared over the years.

Despite the enormous
success of his many Joe Leaphorn, Jim Chee mysteries set on the Navajo reservation, Hillerman remained a humble person who said that he was simply lucky. Perhaps the most telling thing about him is that he was utterly without pretense. He didn't take himself all that seriously. I think he considered himself little more than a newspaper reporter who had somehow stumbled into a pot of gold.

For my own part, whenever I heard that a new Hillerman mystery had been published, I rushed down to Maria's Bookshop to get a copy.

He was, I thought, the most readable and dependable
storyteller we had. I still believe that.

His writing style is deceptively simple. His ability to move a narrative forward is often astonishing. Like all fine artists, he makes his art look easy.

When I told him I'd heard he was writing a memoir, he said, "Yeah, my publisher wants me to tell how I won the Second World War." Yet, the memoir, Seldom Disappointed, indicates that his gallantry in action in the European theater was formidable. He was shot up badly and earned several medals.

A devout Roman Catholic, he was that rare Christian, a person who actually lived his religion. He and his wife, Marie, had only one child, Anne, but they adopted five more. And at that time, they lived on Tony's modest wages as an editor at the New Mexican, and later as an employee of United Press International. He and Marie considered all children as gifts from God. Their children are now all prospering adults.

I'll share a few lines from his letters to me. Here is one from 2002 when the Missionary Ridge Fire threatened Durango:
"I hope (and pray) your place is in the proper direction from Missionary Ridge. The world is aswarm with wannabe poets (including myself) and infected with academic poets, but genuine poets are rare indeed and we can't afford to lose you. ... Oh, well. Just stay healthy and keep writing." He called that "advice from another ink-stained wretch."

When I sent him page proofs of my second book, The Bearing Tree, he responded, "Thanks!! If you want a promo blurb I will say ..." and he goes on to write the generous words found on the jacket of that book.

Since he respected me as a poet, it is only fitting that I dedicate a poem to him at this time of his passing:
Tony, you walk now with Chee and Leaphorn
In harmony, tranquility and peace.

And while your spouse and many children grieve,
Those who only know you through your writings
Will grant each of you immortality.

Now, whether hiking down to the Grand Canyon,
Or seeking clues in a remote Hogan,
Or pursuing villains in desert wastes,
You will pass beyond the last horizon
And see and solve the final mystery.

Charlie Langdon is the Herald's senior critic. He can be reached at langdons@gobrainstorm.net.