|
 |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Drew Christian Staffanson (1962 - 2002) Tribute by his partner M. Shayne Bell Drew Christian Staffanson, the partner for six years of Salt Lake City science fiction writer M. Shayne Bell, died on 25 February 2002 of complications related to AIDS. Drew was born on October 8, 1962, the seventh of nine children. He lettered in swimming. He studied journalism and Arabic at the University of Utah and at the American University in Cairo, Egypt. Drew served a Mormon mission in Portugal, then worked as a foreign correspondent based in Saudi Arabia. He covered the Gulf War, and was among the first journalists in Kuwait after liberation from Iraq. He covered the Madrid Peace Talks and the Kashmiri conflict on both the Indian and Pakistani sides. He returned to Utah in 1992 after being diagnosed with HIV, which he fought bravely. He developed an interest in science fiction after meeting Shayne (a fellow Mormon), and he quickly made many friends in the field. He traveled with Shayne to Armadillocon and three world science fiction conventions. He lectured at the Utah conventions, "Life, the Universe and Everything" (at Brigham Young University, in Provo) and Conduit (in Salt Lake City), about his experiences as a journalist covering war. Drew was 39 years old when he died. He was buried near his family home in Ogden, Utah. Tribute by Armando Drew was such a very good person who won't let anybody down. I feel so sad after knowing this on the internet. He provided me good company in Riyadh while he worked with the Saudi Gazette. I've been keeping 3 pictures of Drew with me since I went home to the Philippines in 1991. I've been keeping the wristwatch he gave me on my birthday in 1991. Drew, I will miss you more than ever knowing we will never see each other again. I know you are happier up there and that makes me feel good. Please add your own tribute by sending an email to James Kent. If you are interested in making a quilt panel in Drew's memory, please send an email to . |
| WHO WE ARE Who We Are Faces of Affirmation 2013 Leadership Team Board of Directors Our History Where We Are |
ESPECIALLY FOR YOU Youth Parents & Friends Women Missionaries Students/YSA Transgender International |
EVENTS Calendar Conference Newsletter The Messenger Newsroom |
RESOURCES & LINKS Resources Links |
BECOME INVOLVED Become a Member Find Local Chapter/Group Attend Conference Affirmation Store |
DONATE |
 |
|||||
| © 2012 Affirmation: Gay & Lesbian Mormons www.affirmation.org PO Box 898 Anoka, MN 55303 |
|||||