The Bradbury Chronicles (43 page)

By the next day, the sad news had spread around the world. This man, this remarkable creative force, this writer who had, through poetic language, singular use of metaphor, and sheer originality of ideas and philosophy, was gone. This extraordinary writer who had given voice to the human soul was no longer with us.

“Ray Bradbury wrote three great novels and 300 great stories,” author Stephen King said in a written statement. “One of the latter was called ‘A Sound of Thunder.' The sound I hear today is the thunder of a giant's footsteps fading away. But the novels and stories remain, in all their resonance and strange beauty.”

Film director Stephen Spielberg released a statement as well. “He was my muse for the better part of my sci-fi career,” said Spielberg. “He lives on through his legion of fans. In the world of science fiction and fantasy and imagination he is immortal.”

Even President Barack Obama reflected upon the loss:

“For many Americans,” said Obama, “the news of Ray Bradbury's death immediately brought to mind images from his work, imprinted in our minds, often from a young age. His gift for storytelling reshaped our culture and expanded our world. But Ray also understood that our imaginations could be used as a tool for better understanding, a vehicle for change, and an expression of our most cherished values. There is no doubt that Ray will continue to inspire many more generations with his writing, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.”

A private, intimate memorial was held, June 12, at Westwood Memorial Cemetery. Ray was laid to rest next to Maggie. Friends, family, and all four Bradbury daughters stood before the small gathering and spoke eloquently, beautifully, with sadness and celebration for a life well-lived, for a creator, friend, and, most important, a father whose heart brimmed over with love. Just two months later, on what would have been Ray Bradbury's 92nd birthday, a final, otherworldly tribute transpired. For the little boy who long ago used to go out onto his grandparents' lawn on warm Midwestern summer nights, lie down and gaze up at the stars and dream, it would have been almost unthinkable.

Millions of miles away, on the surface of Mars, NASA's $2.5 billion dollar “Curiosity” robotic rover was given the signal to make its first movement since landing on August 6, 2012. Just as the wheels began to turn and the vehicle started to inch forward, NASA scientists released a statement, officially naming this region on the surface of Mars “Bradbury Landing.”

“This was not a difficult choice for the science team,” said Michael Meyer, NASA program scientist for Curiosity. “Many of us and millions of other readers were inspired in our lives by stories Ray Bradbury wrote to dream of the possibility of life on Mars.”

Ray Bradbury could not have asked for a better, more fitting, final birthday present and tribute. He will, truly, live forever.

Summer 1917. Grandpa and Grandma Bradbury; the twins Leonard Jr. and Sam; Ray's father Leonard Sr. in back; Ray's mother Esther far right; the irrepressible Aunt Neva bottom center
ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF RAY BRADBURY

The first letter from Don Congdon to Ray Bradbury. The letter is addressed to one of Ray's pseudonyms. Congdon wrote this letter to Bradbury in late August 1945 while he was working as an editor for Simon and Schuster.
Letter courtesy of Michael Congdon.

The marriage certificate of Ray and Maggie Bradbury.
ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF RAY BRADBURY

Maggie and Ray holding their firstborn, Susan Bradbury outside the their the apartment at 33 S. Venice Boulevard, 1950.
ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF RAY BRADBURY

Test photo for a publicity photo, circa early 1950s.
ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF RAY BRADBURY

A page from Ray Bradbury's diary while in Ireland writing the screenplay for
Moby Dick
.
ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF RAY BRADBURY

The opening of EPCOT, October, 1982.
ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF RAY BRADBURY

At the “Music Box Steps,” made famous in the 1932 Laurel and Hardy film,
The Music Box
and in Ray Bradbury's story, “The Laurel and Hardy Love Affair.” Circa 2001.
ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF RAY BRADBURY

File cabinets in Ray Bradbury's basement office containing dozens of story starts, fragments, and unpublished material.
Credit:
Barry Brecheisen

Ray Bradbury at home, February 2010.
Credit:
Zen Sekizawa