I wanted to pass along some sad news that longtime gamer and co-founder of the Metro Detroit Gamers (MDG), Mike Bartnikowski, has passed away. Bart was a giant among men but not just in stature but in his good-nature and humor. He truly loved gaming and worked very hard to further the reach of the hobby. Michicon and Wintercon are among the longest-running conventions in the United States and back in the late 70s and 80s, they were also among the largest.
I first met Mike at Wintercon in 1977. I was just a kid but I volunteered to help during the con (because the older guys who drove us were working at the con so why not help out, too). I worked at every Michicon and Wintercon for years afterward and I was even a convention manager when MDG hosted Origins. Mike was always there and always supportive. He eventually handed me The Deck of Many Things, MDG's bi-monthly newszine, and I produced it for a couple years on two different occasions. Bart was always there and his help and knowledge of the gaming industry was fantastic. With Bart's help, I managed to get license from TSR to publish D&D adventures in the Deck. But he would never take credit for that. That was the kind of guy he was. It was about gaming and gamers. Michicon and Wintercon were about gaming, simple as that.
I can honestly say that Bart was certainly and influence on my youth and without him I may have phased out of gaming. But Bart taught me that gaming is about people and doing what you love. Play and have fun and give back when you can. Much of Bart lives on in Pacesetter Games today and it will be there tomorrow. I certainly will remember him fondly and he will be missed.

Mr. Bartinkowski played a huge role in spreading D&D in the autumn of 1974, especially in the Detroit area, and became a popular auctioneer at GenCon back in the day. Sorry to hear he's passed on.