George Chesbro, R.I.P.

George Chesbro, the author of the “Mongo the Magnificent” series of detective novels (as well as many other works of crime fiction) died yesterday after a short illness. He was 68. His official site, Dangerous Dwarf, contains a brief tribute from its webmaster as well as the death notice:

NEW BALTIMORE – George Clark Chesbro, 68, of New Baltimore, died

Tuesday, November 18, 2008 at St. Peter’s Hospital.

Born in Washington, D.C. on June 4, 1940, he was the son of the late

George W. and Maxine (Sharpe) Chesbro.  An author of over 25 novels and

nearly 100 short stories, George was a recipient of an Ellery Queen

Award and had served as president of the Mystery Writers Association of

America.  Earlier in his career, George had worked as a special

education teacher at Pearl River and at the Rockland Psychiatric Center

where he worked with emotionally troubled teens.

Survivors include his wife, Robin N. Chesbro; a son, Mark Chesbro;, a

daughter Michelle Chesbro; two stepdaughters, Rachael  and Leah  Gass; a

sister, Judith (Richard) Ragone and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces

and great-nephews.

Services are private at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish may send a remembrance in his name

to the Mohawk and Hudson River Humane Society, 3 Oakland Ave., Menands,

NY  12204.

For further reading, see Jon Jordan’s interview of Chesbro as well as Clayton Moore’s Bookslut feature.