Richard John Gess

Richard John Gess (9/9/1952, Toledo, OH—4/22/2024, Decatur, GA) was a man of many parts. He published fiction (e.g. in Lady Churchill’s Rosebud Wristlet), art reviews (e.g. in Art Papers), and critical essays (e.g. in TDR). He named the journal Slayage. He was a photographer and video artist who participated in juried events and solo shows; he was a longtime leader in Atlanta’s Eyedrum art co-op and curated shows such as All Small. He was a drummer, bassist, and songwriter for several bands, including Metamatics (with Ronnie Batson), Tinnitus (with Robert Cheatham), and Argon Connection (with Brett Cox, Jeanne Beckwith, Steve Haase, and Rhonda Wilcox). For over thirty years, he worked at Emory University’s Woodruff Library cataloging serials and rare books. He was witty and widely read; he knew an enormous amount about an astonishing breadth of subjects and took pleasure in the knowledge, while never making others feel diminished. He said that he had grown kinder with age, but those who knew him always remember his great generosity of spirit. He helped many other writers (including Stacia Pelletier, Laura King, Nick Twemlow, Ben Cohen, and Victoria Navarra).

He was the loving husband, for 41 years, of writer Rhonda V. Wilcox; the proud father of artist Jeff Gess (Nicole); and the delighted grandfather of Ethan Matias Gess. He is survived by them and his sister Polly Gess Malohn (Jim); sister-in-law Marsha Wilcox; brother-in-law Patrick Wilcox (Lisa); and many bereft nephews and nieces. He died of cancer after a rare reaction to immunotherapy hastened his end. If he had composed this obituary, it would have been better written.