Harry Clement Stubbs, an award-winning science fiction author who wrote under the name Hal Clement, died on Oct. 29. Cause of death was not released. He was 81.
Clement earned a degree in astronomy from Harvard in 1943 then served as a lieutenant in the Army Air Corps Reserve during World War II. He flew 35 combat missions either as a copilot or pilot with the 8th Air Force.
Using the G.I. Bill, Clement was able to obtain a master’s degree in education from Boston University and a master’s in chemistry from Simmons College. He taught science for 38 years at the Milton Academy in Milton, Mass., and wrote hard science fiction stories and novels in his spare time.
His first short story, “Proof,” was published in the June 1942 issue of Astounding Science Fiction Magazine. Seven years later, Clement published “Needle,” a novel Astounding also serialized. Numerous short story collections and 14 novels followed, including “Noise,” which was published this year by Tor.
Clement received a Retro-Hugo Award in 1996 for his 1945 story, “Uncommon Sense.” The Science Fiction Writers of America also named him a Grand Master in 1999 for a lifetime of achievement in the field of science fiction writing.
“He was a man of wit and intellect, of warmth and kindness, and he saw wonder in the world long after others grew jaded and cynical,” said science fiction writer Bud Webster. “It’s a hideous understatement to say that he’ll be missed.”