Brian John Blume

Brian J. Blume, 70 of Lake Geneva, passed away Friday March 27, 2020 at the Lakeland Nursing Home in Elkhorn WI from Lewy Body Dementia and Parkinson's disease. 

Brian was born January 12, 1950 in Oak Park, IL to Melvin and Kathleen Blume.  He grew up in Wauconda IL, about an hour from Chicago, with 4 brothers and 3 half-brothers, and graduated as the valedictorian of his high school class.  He attended Wabash College, but followed in the footsteps of his father by leaving and becoming a journeyman tool and die maker.  While he excelled academically, he loved the precision and sense of exacting creation in tool making.  He met and married Victoria Miller of Elkhorn WI, and they have been married for 40 years at the time of his death.  They were devoted to each other throughout their marriage.

Brian was also well known as the co-founder, with the late Gary Gygax, also of Lake Geneva, of TSR, the company involved in the creation and world-wide popularization of Dungeons and Dragons, the first “role playing” game to achieve national and international acclaim.  Brian was instrumental in the development of the company and in helping to expand the details of the Dungeons and Dragons world.  He was the author of several other TSR games. 

His creative work at TSR built on a lifetime of interest in, and enjoyment from, games that challenge the intellect, expand the players’ horizons, interests, and understanding, and are just plain fun.  He could always be found with friends and family pursuing a new, challenging, and enjoyable game.  His general knowledge was encyclopedic.  He is remembered in the gaming world as being one of the sharpest players of any game, who always found the best and most innovative games, and who was one of the friendliest and fairest players who ever rolled a die, moved a token, or played a card.  Despite being hard to beat, he always played for simple enjoyment.  He is remembered by family and friends as generous, soft spoken, and always concerned about the well being of others.  Even in the later stages of his disease he still had the quick wit and insight that was one of his many gifts throughout life.  Brian worked as a computer technician and volunteered for twelve years at Lake Geneva Public Library.

He is survived by his wife, Victoria Miller Blume, his brothers; Daniel, Keith, Douglas, Kevin, Gary, and Erick Blume, his brother-in-law, George Miller, and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his brother, Bruce Blume.  In keeping with his lifelong wish to help others, his body is being donated for research.  Also, in keeping with Brian's wishes, there will be no memorial service.  Please consider donations to the Parkinson's Foundation or Lake Geneva Public Library.