David Bischoff

1951 - 2018

1951 - 2018

David Fredrick Bischoff, writer of science fiction, fantasy, and horror novels, TV scripts, and much else, passed away suddenly on March 19, 2018 in Eugene.

Dave was born in Washington, DC on December 15, 1951 to Herman and Betty Bischoff, and grew up in Camp Springs, Maryland. He graduated with a BA in Communications from the University of Maryland and worked at NBC televison while writing at night. His first novel, The Seeker, was published in 1976. He soon turned to fulltime writing, publishing more than a hundred novels over the course of his career, as well as countless short stories, articles, and other pieces, both under his own name and under pen names.

In the 1980s he moved to California to work in Hollywood, where he started by writing the scripts for TV cartoon series and children's programs, before moving on to other shows. Among these he co-authored two episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation, "First Contact" and "Tin Man." Travelling through Oregon, he got to know the flourishing community of science fiction and fantasy writers in Eugene, and moved to Eugene in the early 1990s.

He wrote both solo and in collaboration, writing The Selkie and The Judas Cross with Charles Sheffield, Dinosaucers with Ted Pedersen, Dr. Dimension novels with John DeChancie, Bill the Galactic Hero novels with Harry Harrison, and Dragonstar novels with Thomas F. Monteleone. His story "Tin Woodman," co-authored with Dennis R. Bailey, was nominated for the Nebula Award for Best Short Story, and formed the basis for the Star Trek episode. As well as authoring numerous original novels and series, he wrote tie-in novels for movies such as WarGames, Alien, Alien vs. Predator and Gremlins, and for such shows as Space Precinct, SeaQuest, and Jonny Quest. His Star Trek novel, Grounded, featured on bestseller lists. He also taught in the long-distance creative writing program at Seton Hill University in Pennsylvania.

Dave loved movies, from the classics of the '30s and '40s to the latest superhero adventures, radio shows of the 1940s and '50s, and as theatre. He could easily recall the cast of every London play he'd seen, as well as most of the other productions the actors had appeared in. He especially loved music, above all progressive rock, and he hosted the Soundscapes show on KRVM radio in Eugene. He was an enthusiastic collector of comic books, pulp paperbacks, and cover art.

In 2001 he married Martha Bayless; the marriage was later dissolved, but they remained friends, and their son, Bernard (Bernie) Bischoff, was the apple of his eye.

His mother, Betty Bischoff, died on Jan. 13 of this year. He is survived by Bernie, father Herman Bischoff, brothers Mark and Kerry (Connie) Bischoff, many nieces and nephews, by Martha, and by friends across the country.

There will be a gathering in memory of Dave on Saturday, March 31, from 4-6 pm at Tsunami Books, 2585 Willamette St., Eugene, with refreshments, memories, and conversation.

Arrangements by Major Family Funeral Home in Springfield. Visit majorfamilyfuneralhome.com to sign the guest book.