I’m with you on Charles DeLint. I’d add Tanith Lee.
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I am trying to get a DeLint Thread going in Cafe, I just gave it a push.
http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=6486326#post6486326
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Did Tanith Lee die? :eek:
Not that I’ve heard, I think Fabulous Creature was saying she will mourn when that sad day comes.
Of the ones who’ve already passed on, i really miss Douglas Adams, i never had the honor of meeting the man, but through his writings, i feel like i really knew him, i wish i could’ve met him when he was alive, his works were a large factor in shaping how i look at the world…
without the voice of Peter Jones as The Book, HHGTTG just doesn’t feel exactly right…
Henson, James Doohan, Carl Sagan, all good names as well
hmm, currently living people i’d miss?
perhaps Lewis Black and Denis Leary, i’d be sorry to see Pratchett go as well, when he passes (hopefully not for a great while) at least he’d be on good terms with DEATH though 
MR. PRATCHETT, I REALLY ENJOYED THE WAY YOU WROTE ME, PRESENTING ME AS A REASONABLE AND EVEN…LIKEABLE ENTITY, I’D LIKE TO PRESENT YOU WITH YOUR LIFETIMER, FROZEN IN TIME AS A TOKEN OF MY GRATITUDE, YOU WILL NOT AGE AS LONG AS THE LIFETIMER REMAINS UNBROKEN, THANK YOU
Alan Alda. I was just thinking about this the other day, when he appeared in the Peter Jennings memorial. I’ve loved him for over 30 years, and it will be very hard to let him go (MASH reruns notwithstanding).
Also a few I was thinking about even before they were mentioned upthread: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, (and Patrick Stewart!), Barry Manilow…
I’ll also add Tiger Woods. The coverage of the end of Jack Nicklaus’s career has made me think about what it would be like to see Tiger retire – his death would be much more devastating, especially since if I’m around to see it, that means he died relatively young.
Looking at the OP, I guess Tiger doesn’t really fit the parameters, and we could probably put together a whole list of sports figures we’ll miss, but I like to think of him as an artist (and hey, he’s written a book or two, so can’t he get in under the Stephen Hawking exception?)
Arthur C. Clarke - for the passing of an era / last of the old guard aspect.
Ray Haryhausen(sp?)
Those deaths (plus Ray Bradbury) will be sad but not unexpected.
(also Ursula K. LeGuin)
Unexpected deaths may also be grieved, but also have a element of shock (such as Douglas Adams or Jim Henson). I’d put Joss Whedon and JMS in this category.
Along with JKR add George RR Martin in the “don’t die before finishing the series” category.
Brian
I’m not a rabid fan, but I think Cher is really a one-off. She just has that “will survive the apocalypse along with the squirrels and cockroaches” quality. No matter how old she is when she dies, I think I will be shocked that such a thing could come to pass.
Truly truly sad when JK Rowling dies. Also Cecil (aren’t there rumors that this has already happened?)
Eric Clapton
James Earl Jones
Robert Duvall and Gene Hackman will be absolutely crushing, to be sure.
Didn’t want to repeat anyone that’s already been mentioned, so…
David Brin. Especially if we never find out what happened to the crew of the Streaker’s skiff (although there were a few hints dropped in Heaven’s Reach).