In Memory Of Franz-Benno Delonge

Any hardcore boardgamer is likely familiar with the name Franz-Benno Delonge. Although his ludography was not huge, he had several very popular games. Transamerica, Big City, Manila are probably his best known games, though some of his lesser known games such as Dos Rios and Goldbrau are excellent in their own right. Unfortunately, we won't be seeing any more Delonge designs after his latest, Container, comes out, because Herr Delonge (Benno to his friends) passed away Sept. 2, 2007 from cancer.

Franz-Benno Delonge (right) with Martin Wallace (left)

Benno wasn't just a talented game designer, he was also a judge in the German court system and a very personable and generous man. Here are some anecdotes from those who knew him.

I first met him at Spiel '04 in Essen, where we had several very interesting conversations about not only games but more controversial and thought provoking topics such as stereotyping and racial bias, world politics, and the differences between the U.S. and German legal system. I didn't always agree with his point of view but his opinions were very well thought out and thought provoking. A couple days later, one of the booths we were running at the con was robbed and we needed to file a police report. Benno graciously took time out of his convention schedule to accompany Mike to the police department and help him with the joys of filing a police report in a country where you don't speak the language. That same year, he spent a lot of time helping a fellow game designer, Harry Rowland, with some far more serious legal issues resulting from a snafu in covering the illegal swastika on the box cover of his new game, Seven Ages. Not everyone would put themselves out for relative strangers the way Benno did. It really highlighted the kind of person he was. Since then I'd always looked forward to seeing him on my yearly trip to Essen. I am very sad that he passed on, especially at such a young age.
--Anye Mercy

Benno also liked football games and described a giant football game that he had been taking part in for many years. I shared that passion for the ultimate board game that felt like football. I think his game was so complicated it probably would not have worked commercially, but he was so enthusiastic about it, you could see the passion that he had for gaming. A great loss to the gaming community.
--Alan How

Do you have an anecote about Benno or a picture to share? If so contact me.