Yeah. The article on CNN.com was kind of sweet. Even though he was terribly depressed he refused to kill himself like Hemmingway: "To set a good example for the children."
A great writer. Whether his books or his short stories (The Great Space F*@K).
John Irving once told a story about dining with Kurt years ago whereby while at a small restaurant in NY Kurt started coughing violently. Irving leapt to his feet and grabbed the much taller Vonnegut from behind. He couldn't get a good hold because of this height difference and threw Kurt to the ground before applying the Heimlich.
Kurt was eventually about to find wind enough to explain that he had asthma. Turns out he wrestled his elderly mentor to the ground and grappled him into submission for no good reason.
Agreed. One of the first school assigned writers to really capture my imagination and also my gateway into Heinlein, Orson Scott Card, Philip K. Dick and William Gibson. This is sad sad news. A giant has fallen.
He had a good, long run. I still remember the meaning of 'granfaloon'. May he rest in peace.