[Deathwatch] David Sutherland, "Dungeons & Dragons" illustrator , 56

[Deathwatch Central <cdw@slick.org>]

Tue, Jun. 14, 2005	

Dungeons & Dragons illustrator, Minneapolis native, dies

Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS - David Sutherland, the Minneapolis native and illustrator
whose images helped lead the fantasy role-playing game "Dungeons &
Dragons" to success in the late 1970s and 1980s, has died of chronic
liver failure.

Sutherland died June 6 at his home in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. He was
56.

A graduate of Minneapolis' Roosevelt High School, he trained as a
commercial artist before serving as a military policeman in Vietnam in
the late 1960s. After returning, he launched his fantasy-art career by
widely distributing his while working odd jobs, such as making
moccasins, said his sister, Trudy DeKeuster of Omaha, Neb.

A university professor involved with "D&D" development helped
Sutherland find his way to Tactical Studies Rules, at the time an
emerging Wisconsin publisher of "D&D."

Sutherland's illustrations include the famed scene of a dragon, a
wizard and a bow-flexing knight on the first "D&D" boxed set that
brought the game into the mainstream. Images on the covers of "Dungeon
Masters Guide" and "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual," were
his as well. Sutherland also worked as TSR's artistic director, but
felt more at ease doing his own illustrations.

After a Pacific Northwest firm bought TSR in the late 1990s and didn't
rehire Sutherland, his career crashed. Recently divorced, Sutherland
became despondent.

An auction of his memorabilia in late 2004 drew $22,000 and revived his
spirits. The money was used for a trust fund for his daughters.

In addition to his sister and two daughters, Sutherland is survived by
his mother and a brother.

A visitation will be held at 9 a.m., June 22 at Fort Snelling Memorial
Chapel, with a memorial service at 10 a.m. A military burial follows at
11:30 a.m. at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

Many thanks to Deathwatch Central for posting this obituary