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FUNERAL HOME

Walker Funeral Home & Crematory of Southern Illinois - Carbondale

112 S. Poplar

Carbondale, Illinois

David Trampier Obituary

CARBONDALE -- David Trampier, 59, died at 10:58 a.m. Monday, March 24, 2014, in Helia Healthcare.

Arrangements are incomplete at Walker Funeral Home in Carbondale.

This obituary was originally published in TheSouthern.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by TheSouthern on Mar. 25, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for David Trampier

Sponsored by True Dungeon.

184 Entries

Kathleen Schalk

April 24, 2025

Hi, Brother Dear,
Oops, I missed your birthday by two days! This year Tom called me with some interesting Tramp/D&D news. I ended up going to a March convention that began a year or two after you died called GaryCon. Started by his children, it's
of course in honor of that guy you knew who invented Dungeons & Dragons, and subsequently died.
After Tom introduced me to some of the main organizers, they decided that next year they're doing a program solely about you. It's planned that Craig and I will both be on a panel discussion, along with several other people, Craig remotely of course.
Additionally, (and this is so very cool!) a young man and his sister had a double booth at GaryCon, with a big beautiful custom blanket displayed on the wall, selling for $200 each. It has areas named for famous original and important D&D'ers. They named a large forest after you! I kind of flipped out, became excited and emotional, and thanked him for designing it to include you. He then gave me a small reproduction printed on linen. It's posted here, and I'm going to frame it.
Gee, I sure wish you were here to experience and enjoy the adulation your fans have for you. Miss you, Bro.

Reifyn Cyfarwydd

April 22, 2025

Here is another Tramp Day, in honor of David's Birthday. We'll never forget you Tramp, or your amazing art and life!

James Painter

February 25, 2025

So I did not know this was here.

David ... just thinking of you fondly, thanks for the memories, you're not forgotten. We miss you.

Chris Rintoul

April 26, 2024

Your artwork has meant so much to me since the late 70s. Just as you sister says, there is an entire generation of gamers who continue to be inspired by your work and creativity. I saw one of your originals in the Norman Rockwell Museum a few years back. You deserve to be celebrated and continue to be!

Reifyn Cyfarwydd

April 23, 2024

Here we are again at Dave's Birthday... Has it been 10 years since he left this earth? Wow. In the past year, I discovered correspondence online on enworld (check it out). In these beautifully hand-written letters to a fan named Jeff Gaines, Dave gives the history of the famous drawing from the DM's Screen, and (what I like best) tells Jeff what markers and art supplies he used for Wormy and other art! Most of those pens are no longer available, but I bet David would be amazed at the varieties available today. SO Dave, whatever higher plane of existence you may be on, I'm sorry I missed meeting you in Carbondale in April all those years ago...but I hope we do meet up in the next world and you can show me your technique firsthand! Thanks for everything you did, from the friend you never met, Reifyn

Kathleen Schalk

March 20, 2024

An entire decade has passed since you left this Earth, and I'm still sad every time I think of you, and what could have been. (In addition to Jason, BTW, the love of your life, as you perhaps know, has also died.) This month, besides being the anniversary of your passing, is significant in that it's the 50th anniversary of D&D. If you were still involved (or re-involved, since it seemed as tho you may have been tending toward that, eventually), you would be treated like ROYALTY. There are David A Trampier Fan Clubs. Titan has been reinvented a bunch of times. You'd barely recognize the gaming community these days, it's huge! One guy posted a photo of a full-color, absolutely beautiful likeness of Woimy as a large tattoo on his arm! It was almost reminiscent of Dad's Hula Girl, LOL. Well, brother mine, enjoy your time/existence/rest/exploration till the next time I write to you here.

Woimy Dragon

March 22, 2023

Pretty cool man! Peace

Richard Stevens

March 21, 2023

Nine years on, and I find myself missing your contributions as much as ever. Always a fan, and just one fan among very many. Rest Easy, sir.

YoDanno

February 17, 2023

DAT, your works became my imagination. Your art created a world I have lived in for decades. In your self portraits one gets a small glimpse into what you may have been keeping to yourself. I hope you are at peace now friend.

Kathleen Schalk

November 29, 2022

Hi Bro. Well, I usually write to you sometime or other in the springtime -- you know, your birthday, D.o.D., whatever. But this year has been fraught with health stuff, so it's just now that I'm able to wish you a good 2022, wherever you are in (or out) of the Universe.
Love, Sis

Ron

November 26, 2022

I see that I´m late to this wake by a 8 years. It´s a little surreal to find myself thinking "whatever happened to..." and discover that the answer is so melancholy. I am just another guy whose teenage years were more colorful and happy because of Mr Trampier´s work. He had such imagination and style. One of the very few artists whose work I could glance upon and immediately know who had done it. Peace be upon you.

Kathleen Schalk

April 22, 2022

Happy 68th Birthday, Little Brother. Wherever you are now, I hope you are able to enjoy each day and each year! With Love ~

Susan Woodliffe

November 4, 2021

David, I was a young admirer of your art in the 1970s-1980s. Your talent for composition and dynamic light/dark contrast inspired me as an artist. As an adult I pursued teaching and now I love my role as a high school art teacher. Thank you for your gift of art to the world and your inspiration to others.

Reifyn

April 23, 2021

Just here yearly on the anniversary of David´s birthday...what a year it´s been since last year. Since then, I found a number of works illustrated by David that I didn´t know about, such as the Star Frontiers game for TSR, and they are awesome drawings. I often wonder what became of all the Wormy original drawings, such as the 2 or 3 purchased by a local Carbondale hobby shop owner? I am hoping very much someone inherited them! They were and are truly magical and amazing artworks. WE ALL MISS YOU!

Kathleen Schalk

March 20, 2021

Usually, my brother, I write on your birthday, April 22d. But this time, it's in acknowledgement of your death on March 24th ~ sadly, 3 weeks before the convention which would have marked your reunion with the artistic world you had loved since you were two years old. You missed turning 60 by almost a month. I wish you'd been able to avoid missing ANY birthdays. Love, Sis

Woimy Dragon

March 19, 2021

Eh! Tramp! Whatcha playin...Snooker? WOW! You have missed some crazy times. We got this pandemic goin on. Anywayz...da dwarves want der bowlin balls back! I’ll tell them you moved to Pittsburg. Peace!

Toni Head

August 25, 2020

My heart goes out to the family, I was looking up childhood friends, anDave was one of the best memories. RIP

George Marsinko,

July 29, 2020

I hope this last adventure is a grand one. Thank you for your contributions as an artist. I admired your work and enjoyed the spark of imagination to my campaigns. Rest in peace. My condolences to your family.

Paul Shaderowfsky, MD

July 28, 2020

So many images from Dungeons and Dragons were engraved in my imagination by your pen. As a Dungeon Master, you inspired me to create adventures which gave my players (and me) literally thousands of hours of enjoyment. You have carved a legacy in the realms of imagination and fantasy gaming which will last forever.

Kathleen Schalk

April 25, 2020

Oh shucks, I'm late again, by three days. Happy Belated Birthday, little brother. Recently I photographed some of your creations which I have, and shared the photos with Barry, Jason's brother. Meanwhile, I hope you and Jason had a great reunion and are enjoying playing lots of Risk and Titan in the Sky.

Reifyn

April 23, 2020

As always at this time of year, I think about your work and read some Wormy comics to take my mind off things. Thanks Dave for leaving your work behind for all of us.

Joel McCoy

November 3, 2019

Your images helped shape me into the adult I became.

Susan Woodliffe

September 22, 2019

David, your legacy of art inspires me. To leave a body of work that will be loved forever is something I aspire to. You changed my world. Rest easy.

Frank Rozum

March 16, 2019

Your artwork will be forever linked to my my best and most favorite memories. Be at peace.

Ken Holst

March 15, 2019

I carry around your Salamander art on my arm, a permanent tribute to an artist who's work inspired my youthful fantasies. I hope that somehow you know how much you meant to so many, and that your work lives on in fan groups and discussions and always will!

March 15, 2019

You are greatly missed. Your work is loved by many people.

Kathleen Schalk

April 25, 2018

It's Tramp Time -- One more cycle has passed. During the hours of this day, we can consider the ways your art and imagination influenced and entertained two or three generations ...maybe four if you include that of our parents. I hope, wherever you are, that you're able to learn and create. Having those capabilities would make you happy! How many more Wormy adventures you could hatch...and we all would love to read them...along with everywhere else your ingenuity and originality will have meandered over these intervening years! Miss you, my brother.

Jason Stephenson

April 25, 2018

At least once a year I post some of David's work on various social networks to do my part and put him in people's brains. To remind those of us who remember his art, and introduce those who haven't seen it yet.

Reifyn

April 24, 2018

Here's Tramp Day once again. We'll always remember you & the fabulous work you shared with the world. Thank you, from a friend you haven't met.

Joseph Keenan

December 10, 2017

While never having met you I sure knew of you from your work. I believe it was an Egyptian saying that a man never really dies when his name is spoken and remembered.

David's work has touched the lives of so many in the gaming community that he does live on in the hearts of many.

James Binnie

October 26, 2017

David, thank you so much for what you gave us all. Like so many others, your drawings helped define not only my childhood but my appreciation for art as well. Hours upon hours spent staring at your illustration on the back of the DM's screen has forever embedded those images in my brain and soul. I still find your art the most evocative, the most powerful and the most creative of all the 'game art' that has come since. And in fact, your art has always transcended genre and just been plain great. Perhaps it is selfish of me to wish you had continued to create such masterpieces, so I will be satisfied with what you did create, and cherish it always. Thank you.

Phillip Birmingham

October 10, 2017

Dave, your art added joy to some of the best times of my life. "Wormy," the TITAN counters, those countless illustrations in the D&D manuals -- all are wonderful, and I am sad that you are no longer with us.

Thanks, and rest well.

Jeff Beebe

September 22, 2017

David Trampier was a huge influence on me as an young artist in the 80s and continues to be as I write this message at the age of 46. I can't tell you how often I dig into my old D&D archives to figure out how DAT would draw it--people, trees, water, fur, clouds, stone, etc. He defined an entire imaginary world and I introduce my students to his work every semester. My condolences to family, friends, and fans.

Peter Gardner

September 8, 2017

He was a great talent. My brother and friends and I used to comb the early D&D books comparing art from DIS and DAT (I imagine they thought it was quite the joke). I had no idea that he was also the brilliant mind behind Wormy. Wormy and Phil and Dixie were my favorite thing about Dragon magazine. I wish he were still here, illustrating my imagination.

Kathleen Trampier Schalk

April 23, 2017

Ah, thank you for your interesting, wise and comforting words, Reifyn. And Dave, my little bro, you already know I thought of you so many times yesterday, and sent wishes and nostalgic thoughts & smiles your way. I should have written here too. Knowing you had begun to look favorably upon, and actually were working on more of your art; I feel in one way better and in another, sadder at your leaving this earth. Especially so early. And especially just then.
But Reifyn is right. Tho some things could go on and on (and we wish they would), everything in our human experience does have an ending, its own unique set of circumstances which describe that ending, and the ripples which are created as a result thereof.
Unlike most human beings, you created worldwide ripples while you were here, and (analogous to Carlos Castaneda's thoughts) you continue to create some ripples after you had to leave. Happy 62d birthday! Give Mom and Dad big hugs for me! Love you, Sweetie. Always did. Always will.

Reifyn

April 22, 2017

Well here I am again another year has moved along, and David's Birthday is here. I was going to go to Carbondale and meet a sculptor there who was also a fan of DAT with a view toward making a statue memorial, but was informed he moved back to NY. But for my part I continue to be influenced by Tramp's work and am now making my own comics, and so have been studying Dave's amazing lettering technique on WORMY. I don't really think that WORMY was left unfinished like some folk feel: it has an ending like everything: it's just a reflection of life really: our stories end when they end, even when they seem to be yet unfinished. Wish I was a character in your story Dave, and as long as I'm around, you'll be a part of mine. Thank you.

Brian Gillock

October 14, 2016

There's really nothing more to be said. Thank you for sharing your gift and may you rest in peace.

Robert Lowery

September 9, 2016

Thanks, Dave for bringing our imaginations to life in you pages. You were always my favorite part of Dragaon magazine, and Wormy showed a complexity, intelligence, subtlety, and independence that I have no doubt reflected yours. Thanks so much.

David Insley

July 13, 2016

I have admired Mr. Trampier's art since my youth in the early 1980s. Sad to hear the world is without him, even though he gave up art a long time ago. His contribution to my happy memories is significant.

Jason Stephenson

April 25, 2016

Just to echo many of the previous sentiments here, David Trampier's art switched my brain on and expanded the world for me. I wouldn't be the person I am now if my childhood hadn't been filled with hours and hours of staring at his incredible creations. Best wishes to his surviving family and friends, and to those of us who remember him.

Kathleen Trampier Schalk

April 23, 2016

You would have been 62, Dave. The world has lost your talent and imagination, but what you have created is far more than most people on the planet are capable of leaving behind. Happy Birthday, baby brother. Not much left of our immediate family, but we still love each other so much -- and will always love and miss you, and Mom, and Dad!

Reifyn

April 22, 2016

Well, it is David's birthday once again...what a year since I last visited this page. A couple weeks ago Ivisited the memorial in Minneapolis for Dave's co-worker, David C. Sutherland III on his birthday and left some roses there. I do hope by the end of this year to visit Carbondale and try and meet some folk who knew Tramp and see if some memorial can be arranged. But as for now, I at least will always remember you on this, Tramp Day.

Adam Waters

February 19, 2016

Thanks for the imagination Dave. Hope you're shooting pool with Wormy in the big game room in the sky.

Ernie Gygax

June 27, 2015

I so miss mostly playing Pinball or Pool with you as well as your Art and gaming skills, particularly Titan.

Reifyn Cyfarwydd

April 17, 2015

It's hard to believe a year has gone by...and what a year it has been. I had so hoped to try and create a memorial for Dave, but it's difficult when life gets in the way. However, it is still very much in my mind, and i'm in the midwest now & am hoping to get to Carbondale sometime in the next 9 months. I will not forget this man's amazing work & know that his art & life were and are valid & significant. So Dave Trampier Day is next week & this guestbook will disappear. Hats off to Tramp & his memory.

Edward Stoering

May 29, 2014

Dave, your art opened my mind to a world of adventure and heroism. It allowed me to make and keep friends that have lasted a lifetime. And what else, in all this creation, can be so grand? Thank you Dave.

Owen Maroney

May 9, 2014

Farewell, DAT. Your art was so much a part of my childhood. So sad that we, the gaming world, just missed our chance to show you how much you gave to us, and to give back to you.

Brandon Butler

April 25, 2014

I LOVE D.A.T. drawings! I had hoped he would come back to us some day. It's sad to hear that he passed away. He is a constant inspiration for me as an artist. R.I.P.

Kathleen Trampier Schalk

April 24, 2014

Thank you so much for your thoughts and good wishes on the death of our brother. They have made this exceedingly difficult experience more bearable. It has occurred to me that Dave most likely does not have a headstone or monument. This may be a fitting project for those of us who loved or admired him. If you have ideas about ways to approach this (suggestions on how to determine the best in each phase: design, material(s) creation, funding, location, installation, etc.) please contact me. Thanks,

Brian E

April 23, 2014

You illustrated my imagination. Thank you.

Craig Russell

April 22, 2014

Happy Birthday, Tramp, wherever you are. This one's for you.

Reifyn

April 22, 2014

I declare today to be DAVID A. TRAMPIER Day, in honour of his birthday. From all your friends including those you've never met, we're glad you came into this world 60 years ago as you made our lives richer, and sad you had to leave us so soon. I'll take my hat off to you Tramp every 22nd of April till I go on my own final journey. Thank you.

Eric Nelson

April 20, 2014

Mr. Trampier did indeed define the visual component of something very near and dear to many of us. Seeing his ultra-polished artwork as a youngster really made the possibilities of role-playing come alive for me, and I will be eternally grateful for the part his wonderful visual contributions played in my childhood and my chosen hobby.

Godspeed, sir, and thank you.

April 20, 2014

The Rakshasa

Philip Espi

April 12, 2014

David, merci d'avoir inspiré et fait rêver tant de personnes autour du monde.
Ta Liche et ton Pit Fiend du Monster Manual me font encore frissonner d'inquiétude quand je les regarde. Sans parler de ton Rakshasa, si empreint de mystère et de sophistication.
Ton art, si évocatif, ne sera jamais oublié.

April 11, 2014

As comments, compliments and musings continue, I want to thank all of you who have made the effort, putting in so much thought and empathy. You are making a terrible occurance easier to bear, all are and will be greatly appreciated. When I have the emotional energy, I shall endeavor to respond to those who have supplied their addresses. On behalf of Dave's family, special thanks is reserved for ViK, the Wormy fan, for sponsoring this Book. Dave's birthday will be here shortly. It has occurred to me that perhaps this occasion may elicit additional entries if left beyond the suggested deadline. Our brother would have been 60 on April 22d, 2014. Sadly, Kathleen

Scott Sigl

April 10, 2014

Any time I see his artwork, I am inevitably returned to my childhood and D&D. Thank you, kind sir, for your work.

James Hakola

April 10, 2014

One of my very favorite artists of all time. He helped introduce fantastical imaginings to so many kids and grownups alike. Thanks for sharing your great talent.

April 9, 2014

David's artwork touched so many of us in ways he probably could have never known. His imagination fired our collective one. Thank you, DAT.

A lost treasure. RIP DAT. ?

Kevin Chenevert

April 9, 2014

A lost treasure. RIP DAT. ?

Kevin Chenevert

April 9, 2014

I hope that David is now at peace and that his family can also find peace. David brought and continues to bring joy and inspiration to millions. I am saddened to not be able to meet him and to have another shard of my childhood disappear.

DAT

Darcy Perry

April 9, 2014

So many of your drawings are etched into my subconscious. Your masterful artwork and storytelling are a part of my lifelong love of gaming. Thank you for your gift. God bless you David. Rest in peace.

Sean Kelley

April 9, 2014

My condolences. Though I never knew or met David, he was a part of my childhood through the artwork he did for a game I continue to play today, dungeons & dragons. Rest easy Mr. Trampier, and thank you.

Allan MacKenzie-Graham

April 8, 2014

God bless you, David. You illustrated my childhood fantasies and so enriched my whole life.

Edgar Johnson

April 8, 2014

Seriously sad to hear about David's passing. His art has been a real inspiration to me. I'm sorry he didn't do more of it. The world is a poorer place.

Giles Kiser

April 8, 2014

My condolences to David's family and friends. My thanks goes to David. His artwork set the tone for countless adventures. He will always be thought upon with kindness and reverence.

Joseph Bloch

April 8, 2014

An enormously talented artist whose work shaped my formative years as a gamer. You will be missed, Tramp.

Edward Scott

April 8, 2014

I am sorry for your loss - David was a great artist and his excellent and iconic work stands out in all the early AD&D books. He brought real character and depth to the fantasy worlds Gygax and others were building.

Forrest Aguirre

April 7, 2014

My condolences to David's family. Mr. Trampier, you are a legend to me. Your art inspired me as a young man and led me to many happy memories gaming with good friends and, now, with my own children. Your art has forged friendships and families. You have positively affected generations. God bless, my friend, and rest well. Though I never had the chance to meet you, I will sorely miss you.

April 7, 2014

When I was growing up in the 80s, Tramp's art was a big part of my childhood. Everytime I see one of his pictures, it brings me back to those days, and evokes those same feelings and faded memories.

Reifyn

April 4, 2014

Here I was on my way to Carbondale, hoping to meet David & tell him what his work meant to me and the influence he has had on my own drawing, especially his comics work. I hope he knew his work was deeply loved my many people & that we will always remember him. To lose him at this time especially, when I was so close to having been able to express how his flawless technique has inspired me is really sudden & unexpected...like the end of the Wormy comic, where we are left without a definitive ending. But here it is and we have to make the best of it. Goodbye Tramp!

April 2, 2014

A wonderful and talented "little" brother, until one year I came home from college and he had grown six inches in the intervening six months...now he was three inches TALLER than I, his "big" sister! As you can imagine, our "middle" brother and I have a thousand stories about him. Although we're glad to know he had a renewed interest in his art, we are inconsolably sad that our Davey is gone.

David

April 2, 2014

A fantastic artist with a wonderful realistic gritty style (and a wonderful comic style for his comic strip wormy as well). His works made the early books for AD&D come alive.

Mark Brehob

April 1, 2014

I shall miss the man I never met. His contributions to my childhood (both his art and Titan) are significant.

Edward Liberatore

April 1, 2014

A legend and an inspiration to myself and countless others. Thank you for you legacy, Dave, and taking the time to answer the fevered and rambling letter of a young artist looking for advice... even though I'm certain you must have had better things to do with your time. You graciously gave it, and I took it! I still think on it today.

April 1, 2014

R.I.P Dave, fondly remembered.

Robert Gruber

April 1, 2014

Such an important part of my gaming life growing up, and still some of my favorite D&D art to this day. If only he knew how many of us thought so highly of him.

Immortality through your great work, rest in peace David.

April 1, 2014

Another Icon has sadly passed. R.I.P. DAT.

Christopher Taylor

April 1, 2014

Loved Tramp's work and always wished I could get a book collecting it all.

Bob Brinkman

April 1, 2014

I never had the good fortune of meeting Mr. Trampier, but he had a profound influence on the shaping of my youth. His passing is a loss to us all and I can only hope that he is finally at peace.

R Bailey

April 1, 2014

Your work has left a deep and lasting impression on my psyche and are by far my favorite of the golden era AD&D illustrators. I hope you found peace before leaving us.

Matt

April 1, 2014

David's art made my childhood that much better. He will be missed.

Mike Clancy

March 31, 2014

Back in the day, I got into D&D and started reading Dragon Magazine, reading Wormy was as big, and at times an even bigger draw to learn the game. The realization of such a quirky, wonderful, beautiful, and even a little bawdy at times, was such a Great piece of work. I loved his comic. I wish he'd had a chance to go back and finish it.

dennis beebe

March 31, 2014

awesome artist, love his work. he will be sorely missed. :(

Tim B

March 31, 2014

Thanks David for inspiring me to write dungeons and tales of adventurers lost in those realms as well. Your artwork was an inspiration for the many nights I sat at the table rolling dice.

Paul Beyard

March 31, 2014

It seems from what I read that life was not kind to you in some ways and I wish that could have been different. I hope that somehow, you will come to know that your fans appreciate you and will miss you. Rest in peace, and thank you for the wonderful art.

Christian A

March 31, 2014

Thanks for the wonderful stories, great art, and being a part of my childhood.

Mark G

March 30, 2014

Thank you, Mr. Trampier for the sense of wonder your sword and sorcery art inspired into a 12 year old boy in 1982. This sense of wonder is one of the reasons I am a graphic designer today. Rest in Peace.

Josh K.

March 30, 2014

Thank you for your beautiful art. RIP DAT.

Dan Pack

March 30, 2014

Thank you David for all the amazing art. You will be missed by all fans of art that created a sense of wonder and magic in our lives.

Benoist Poire

March 30, 2014

Thank you Dave for being part of the D&D adventure, for giving shape and substance to our dreams through your art, and for having been an inspiration to so many. Gone, but not forgotten. RIP.

Dylan Horrocks

March 30, 2014

David Trampier is to this day one of my favourite illustrators of all time. His work was a huge inspiration to me and I will always be grateful to him for producing such an extraordinary body of drawings. I hope he found peace and joy in his later life, and my thoughts are with those who were closest to him.

Neal Fisher

March 30, 2014

My deepest sympathies to his family and loved ones. His work has helped to shape and inspire artists and storytellers of every walk of life, and for that we are ever grateful.

Tom Harbold

March 30, 2014

To paraphrase, "Oh David, we hardly knew ye!" Yet, at the same time, your art lit a candle of wonder and imagination in many of our souls. Thank you so much, and enjoy your latest adventure!

Rick Stevens

March 30, 2014

My sincerest condolences to David's family. Please know he had countless fans who loved the art he created.

Paul H

March 30, 2014

To this day your artwork inspires so many to draw. Thank you for the gift you have left to us. My sympathies goes out to all those who you loved, and loved you David. God speed.

Chris Estey

March 30, 2014

I'm so sorry to hear of David's passing. I've loved his work for 30 years. His art truly left a lasting impression on me and help to launch an industry that has provided jobs and careers to many people over the years. Rest in peace, adventurer.

Wes Johnson

March 30, 2014

He did not know me, but I knew him from his art which was inspiration for many great times in my life. After hearing the news of his untimely passing, many people feel have shown the same feelings. I hope his family and friends knows how much DAT impacted so many people's lives and that he will live on within us and the hobby we all love.

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