Dr. Hunter S. Thompson (July 18, 1937 – February 20, 2005)

Hunter S. Thompson (1937-07-18  – 2005-02-20) was an American journalist and author and was regarded by many as the author of the "greatest book on the dope decade" (The New York Times). He was known for his flamboyant writing style, known as Gonzo Journalism, which blurred the distinctions between writer and subject, fiction and non-fiction. Thompson died at his home in Woody Creek, Colorado, of what police officers stated was a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

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I'm not going to sit here and go on and on about Hunter. There's no need. A man of his caliber is the type of person that every now and again comes along and doesn't need an introduction. Those who know him know what it means. And those who don't will either learn, or never know.

I've been a fan of Hunter for many years. Having more than just read his work, I've come to study it. Take it in as deep as the soul and learn from it. To an extent, live by it. Not saying I take red convertibles to Vegas on a head full of acid, but Hunter was the type of person to touch the ones that understood him. As he once put it, "Crazies always recognize each other."

I can sit here and go on about Hunter and the great man and writer he was, but I feel as if it's better for someone to understand on their own. Learn from Hunter on your own experience and it's much more delightful and rewarding in the long run.

Hunter wrote his legacy long ago, and he became bigger than life itself. Which is quite possibly the very thing that brought him to his downfall. He will forever be remembered, not just for some of the most extraordinary pieces of journalism ever written, but for being a person that one can better themselves from. We need more Hunter's in this day and age.

Reminiscing about the Good Doctor has always conjured up more than a few choice moments to chew on. Even now, 5 years later since he made his exit, I still get as keyed up when I think of him as I always did. And though I know he won't be calling and that bastard phone won't be ringing off the hookk in the middle of the night I clearly hear his voice. I hear him "WHOOP!!!" every time "One Toke Over the Line" creeps up on the radio, I feel him puff up when "Sympathy for the Devil" kicks in. He calms and ponders the gravity of "Mr. Tambourine Man". - Depp

He appears when he is needed.

He arrives when absurdity peaks.

I imagine he always will.

I salute you Hunter and everything that have done, and everything that you have given us.

"Myths and legends die hard in America. We love them for the extra dimension they provide, the illusion of near-infinite possibility to erase the narrow confines of most men's reality. Weird heroes and mould-breaking champions exist as living proof to those who need it that the tyranny of 'the rat race' is not yet final."

 RIP

Dr. Hunter S. Thompson (July 18, 1937 – February 20, 2005)