Andrew Scott Hackard

Andrew Scott Hackard, also known as the Munchkin Czar and as The Red Pen of Doom, was always his own man from the moment of his birth on December 24, 1970 at Ft. Hood, Texas. He made his grand entrance into the world less than an hour after his parents arrived at the hospital. He walked at 10 months, was reading at 3 years of age and taking high school algebra as a fifth grader. He continued to amaze family, friends and coworkers with his intellectual abilities throughout his life. His death on June 17, 2021 at the age of 50 years, five months and 24 days was way too soon.

Above all else, Andrew loved his family and friends beyond measure. He thoroughly enjoyed astronomy, word play, the Texas Longhorns, board and card games, eclectic styles of music, science fiction, computers, writing, and Cowboy Bebop --- although not necessarily in that order at any given point in his life. If he had a passion for it, he excelled at it. He had a personality as big as the universe and even bigger heart. He was generous, creative, hardworking, fun-loving, a natural mentor, and all around amazing soul! The career he settled into at Steve Jackson Games as a game designer/ Munchkin Czar/ Line Editor capitalized on every conceivable gift that his larger- than- life persona had to offer. The world will miss this marvelous wordsmith and incorrigible punster!

Andrew was diagnosed with a glioblastoma just as the COVID-19 pandemic was shutting everything down. This awful disease began to infiltrate the part of his brain that handles communication and cognition – the very things for which he had been most well-known. However, that did not stop him from putting forth every effort to continue the work he dearly loved for Steve Jackson Games, and it did not steal his humor or love for those close to him. The essence of Andrew remained intact even when the tumor caused words to fail him.

Andrew is survived by his parents, James Clifford “Jim” and Sandra McBride Hackard of San Antonio, TX; his sister, Gretchen Hackard of Garland, TX; his grandma, Lois Hackard of Austin, TX; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and scores of friends he considered as family despite having no blood relationship at all. He was predeceased by grandparents William Andrew McBride, Sr., Dorothy Rainbolt McBride, and Clifford Thorne Hackard; his uncle, Edward Scott Hackard; and his aunt, Judith “Judy” Ann Green McBride.

Pursuant to his wishes, in lieu of a traditional funeral service, at least one celebration of Andrew’s life is being planned for later in the year. He stated the emphasis is to be on celebration with food, photographs, good times remembered, music, and games -- with any formalities kept brief. Information about these plans will be shared by his family in the next few months.

For those wishing to do so, donations in Andrew’s memory may be made to The National Brain Tumor Society www.braintumor.org or to Hospice Austin www.hospiceaustin.org . Contact information for the family is 5706 Sky Country, San Antonio TX 78247. The family wants to express deep appreciation to Steve Jackson Games, Brave Combo, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and Hospice Austin for their kindness and care during Andrew’s illness.

See you, Space Cowboy … I know your Red Pen of Doom is editing this as I type.