Wammes Witkop passed away

Source: Tweakers (Dutch)

It's with great sadness that we have to report you that, after a short sickbed, Dutch MSX legend Wammes Witkop has passed away on June 18th 2022, at 70 years of age.

In the 1980s, Wammes was publisher and editor in chief of MSX Computer Magazine (MCM). He would keep publishing MCM and its successor MCCM until 1997, his magazines being one of the driving forces behind the activity of the Dutch MSX scene in the 1990s.
For those interested, these are archived here.

Wammes was an imposing man - his huge stature only rivaled by his big heart.

We would like to express our gratitude to Wammes for sharing his unique and remarkable personality with us, as well as his seemingly infinite enthusiasm for MSX. Wammes, for an important period in time, you truly guided us through life...
Much strength wished to everyone who loved him.

Farewell, you magnificent gentle giant!

Media browser (2)

Commentaires (52)

Par snout

Ascended (15187)

20-06-2022, 01:05

... thanks for everything, Wammes.

Par MrRudi

Hero (525)

20-06-2022, 02:29

Very sad to hear about this. Wammes was a unique character that meant a lot to the Dutch MSX scene, I think snout said it as well as anyone could: his big heart and endless enthusiasm were a great inspiration for the many hobbyists in the MSX scene, many who - like myself - were teens and still growing up. I guess he was a bit of a father to all of us, and I for one feel grateful and happy that I knew this man and I will cherish the many talks we had about computers.

Par meits

Scribe (6534)

20-06-2022, 02:34

in hindsight it is thanks to him i still have MSX as a hobby. If he didn't keep on going with his magazine there would not be anything keeping me connected to the scene.
I never forget his comment on me being so tall (while he was quite the giant himself as well). It was at the train station in Tilburg. He left the fair at the same time as us and went to some friends to play guitar.
Remembering that tells me he made a huge impression on me.

Sad to see him leave.

Par FiXato

Scribe (1742)

20-06-2022, 03:08

I think I'll be reading some Knorretje & Snavelaar stories tomorrow...

Thanks for being such an icon Wammes. <3

Par thegeps

Paragon (1175)

20-06-2022, 06:50

Condolence

Par hamlet

Scribe (4106)

20-06-2022, 06:52

Dear Wammes, thank you for all you've done for the MSX scene!

Par Repair-Bas

Paragon (1170)

20-06-2022, 08:12

Wammes, thank you for everything. I am proud i have known you…

Par ro

Scribe (4920)

20-06-2022, 08:13

Sad news, an MSX icon gone to Z80 heaven. rest in piece, friend.

Par Hans

Supporter (7)

20-06-2022, 08:53

During my introduction to the MSX scene , MCM magazine and its editor Wammes Witkop were our guides. A man with a beautiful alliterative name that you would never forget by the way. Wammes and his magazine were the conduit of a much larger MSX-world beyond your own bedroom.

Thank you Wammes, your work was a great inspiration.
Rest in peace

Par ray2day

Paladin (732)

20-06-2022, 09:06

2022 is a sad year for the MSX scene. Too much MSX legends have left us this year. And with Wammes a true (Dutch) pioneer of MSX has gone. Memories of him and his populair magazine (which I still read sometimes...) remain. Rest in peace Wammes. Rest in peace you all who have left us. I hope there is MSX in heaven...

Par KdL

Paragon (1450)

20-06-2022, 14:21

Through to the MSX clubs I followed MCM and MCCM in Italy for a long time, converting my Philips NMS8280 to MSX2+.

Thank you very much Wammes for all the fun of those years.
Rest in peace.

Par wolf_

Ambassador_ (10095)

20-06-2022, 10:25

Bah

His MCM is really a magazine I still read a lot. In fact, I tend to use small mannerisms from MCM in my daily writing work.

Par ramonsmits

Rookie (20)

20-06-2022, 10:33

Another MSX icon is gone. His name stood out and his prefaces were always fun to read.

I don't know you Wammes but for sure I know your love for MSX. Thanks for sharing your passion!

Par Sandy Brand

Champion (297)

20-06-2022, 11:06

I am pretty sure that, if not for his magazines and efforts to spread (technical) information in those early days of computing, many of us would have had different careers, and he has thus had a profound impact on our lives.

He was there at the very beginning of the digital consumer revolution. And sadly we will now have to travel forwards into the future, without him.

Par Philip

Champion (380)

20-06-2022, 11:13

Thanks for everything Wammes, it was great meeting you some years ago at the bar in Beuningen.

After all those years, it's still nice to get out some MCM's every now and then.

Par shaiwa

Champion (385)

20-06-2022, 11:19

Sad news this morning, condolences to the family and the community.
Rest in peace Wammes.

Par turbor

Hero (519)

20-06-2022, 11:39

Again a great MSX icon has gone. I'm sure that his MC(C)M has influenced a lot of us more then he ever held possible.

My condolences to his family and friends.
Rest in peace Wammes.

Par Popolon_fr

Expert (72)

20-06-2022, 12:36

Sad news, really. Condolence to the family.

Par Pencioner

Scribe (1546)

20-06-2022, 13:06

I didn't know him personally well (but meet on Nijmegen). Thanks Wammes for everything and condolences to family and friends...

Par Bernard

Resident (50)

20-06-2022, 14:08

I'm really saddened by this news.

Back in the day, a new MC(C)M was always something to look forward to. The information was great; the less serious parts (anybody remember: biologist expert opinion wanted on chip duplication project) were even greater.

Thanks Wammes for all your contributions to the MSX world, and for keeping MC(C)M alive for so many years! Rest in peace.

Par Haze

Master (149)

20-06-2022, 14:29

The loss of a legend from the scene! Rest in peace, Wammes. Thank you for everything. Your columns were always a joy to read, even to the young kid that I was back then!

Par Grauw

Ascended (10711)

20-06-2022, 15:21

I'm really sad to hear this, I think the newspost and comments here capture my own feelings upon hearing this news. Wammes was a great person, I'll miss him.

Par Sander

Founder (1871)

20-06-2022, 15:58

Such an interesting person that changed the atmosphere of every place he walked into. A gentle giant indeed. My condolances to his friends, ducks and family.

Par MSX4ever

Master (251)

20-06-2022, 16:35

Also thanks for everything, Wammes.
I recently had at the MSX Beuningen
received a nice signature from you, which you placed on an MCCM Magazine.

Par Grauw

Ascended (10711)

20-06-2022, 17:05

Last year Wammes was interviewed for the podcast The Retro Hour, where he talks about his recollections of those early days of MSX and how he got into writing for magazines, etc.

https://youtu.be/8A2AxdIJ-dA?t=2428

Maybe you will find it as nice to listen to Wammes’ voice and stories as I did.

Par Takamichi

Hero (605)

20-06-2022, 17:22

I probably never met him in person, but as one of the people who appeared in MCM I wish he rest in peace.

Par Briqunullus

Hero (645)

20-06-2022, 20:03

I have read this earlier today and I'm feeling a bit uncomfortable. Dear Wammes, I may have met you only once or twice, but you have been burned in my memory since the days of MC(C)M. Last year, we emailed a bit about scanning some MSX Mozaik magazines. And I still felt like a little boy, oh dear, the big Wammes Witkop is talking to me. Thank you for what you have done for MSX. Let's all play Teachers Terror now!

Par Thom

Paladin (704)

20-06-2022, 20:52

So sad to read that his last days were "30 endless days". He passed away way too young. Also impressed by how young the man was when he made MCM.

Par Latok

msx guru (3928)

20-06-2022, 21:11

As a teenager I was bullied quite a lot. MSX created me an escape from this life. I was deeply touched when Wammes once wrote that, like himself, many people he encountered all used their computer as a shield against society. I was not alone. What followed were the best years of my life. Thank you, Wammes, for everything. I will never forget.

Par raulsantacruz

Hero (604)

20-06-2022, 21:16

Rest in peace :'(

Par Rainman

Supporter (1)

20-06-2022, 21:53

My condolenses

Like many others here, the MSX and MSX Magazines introduced me to the world of computing in my teens. I've read the magazines multiple times cover to cover and I learned a lot from all the published listings. Wammes thank you for inspiring a generation!

Par tfh

Prophet (3317)

20-06-2022, 23:03

I went a little bit quiet when I read this message. And people who know me, know that I usually talk a lot. The MSX community has lost a great soul this weekend.
My condolences to who he left behind. I'm sure he will be missed.

Par Turrebo

Expert (82)

20-06-2022, 23:20

My condoleances to all who were near to him, and everybody here.

Thank you for making my life so much more enjoyable when everything seemed dark and hopeless. You really mattered in my life.

Rest in peace, you will be missed.

Par LaDolceDols

Expert (76)

20-06-2022, 23:21

Geez. What's there to say... It's a shock... A true MSX icon passed away. A guy that meant so much for our dutch community. I wish all of you who miss him strenght. Rest in peace big guy.

Par Gradius2

Hero (652)

21-06-2022, 02:19

R.I.P., may you play the ULTIMATE MSX on heaven.

Par edoz

Prophet (2475)

21-06-2022, 10:42

Grauw wrote:

Last year Wammes was interviewed for the podcast The Retro Hour, where he talks about his recollections of those early days of MSX and how he got into writing for magazines, etc.

https://youtu.be/8A2AxdIJ-dA?t=2428

Maybe you will find it as nice to listen to Wammes’ voice and stories as I did.

Thanks Grauw for sharing this. It is sad …..as we all know him from fairs and from the magazines. He was the one that was motivating us when we were young. I will never forget him….

Par PingPong

Prophet (4096)

22-06-2022, 00:40

condolence

Par Avkooi

Expert (100)

22-06-2022, 23:20

What a sad story, that he passed away at this age. Just like a lot of other Dutch people, the MSX Computer Magazine was what sparked my enthusiasm for all the possibilities of this great computer standard. He was not only the publisher of the monthly magazine but also wrote a lot of articles. And if I remember correctly, he also wrote hilarious game reviews under a pseudonym.

He was a great man, both iterally and figuratively. I had the chance to meet him once and talk about some game tips and maps that I sent in and got published. He will be missed in the MSX world. My condolences to his family and friends.

Par [D-Tail]

Ascended (8263)

23-06-2022, 12:55

Sad news. RIP Wammes. All the best for family and relatives.

Par ddehaan

Resident (60)

23-06-2022, 18:45

That is very sad news. Loved the MSX Magazine from the 1st issue and had a subscription for a very long time.

Love and hugs for all family and friends of Wammes. I'm sure he will be missed

Par Manuel

Ascended (19310)

24-06-2022, 21:56

There is now an In Memoriam on the website of MSX Computer Magazine: https://msxcomputermagazine.nl/achtergrond/

Par wolf_

Ambassador_ (10095)

24-06-2022, 22:16

Who actually owns that website? And will it remain to be?

Par Manuel

Ascended (19310)

24-06-2022, 22:39

The website will remain to be. It is mostly maintained by Hayo and Robbert (and I helped here and there with some contributions).

Par Rataplan

Champion (301)

26-06-2022, 13:23

Oh this news hit me quite hard, got me thinking about my youth, and my hero's at the time. Wammes was certainly one of them, with his striking name and ditto face being in so many magazines I read at the time. I never met him, but I bet a lot of ideas were still floating in his mind.
What a loss for both the MSX scene as his family. 70 years is still too young to go. My sincere condolences to all, and may we remember him for who he was.

Par JasonLee

Resident (40)