Greg Novak

Greg Novak (September 4, 1950 – March 7, 2012) was a wargame designer, author of dozens of games, rules supplements and scenario books, his most notable contributions including the Volley & Bayonet series and several works about the American War of Independence.

Biography

Born on September 4, 1950 in Chicago,^[1] son of George and Sylvia (Stepnowski) Novak, and married to Donna Oakes Gerbino on July 19, 1997, Greg Novak worked as a librarian at Edison and Jefferson middle schools for 31 years, and for the Champaign Office of Education. He was active in the Champaign Teachers Federation, serving as a building steward, member of the collective bargaining unit, vice president and president. Upon his retirement he was elected to the Champaign Board of Education. After his death Champaign Unit 4 Schools named their Alternative High School facility in his honor.^[2]

Wargaming

Greg Novak was a key figure in the wargaming hobby,^[3][4] leaving a lasting and internationally recognized^[5] legacy both as an author and as a promoter of wargaming events. Among his main contributions as an author should be listed :

Boardgames

• Guilford Courthouse (Series 120) – GDW1978

Rules

• Fire and Steel - Rules for Battles with System 7 Napoleonics, GDW 1978 (with John Harshman and Paul Richard Banner)
• Charlie Company - Infantry Combat in Vietnam 1965-1972, Ulster Imports 1988 (with John Reeves)
• Yellow Ribbon : Rules for the Indian Wars, 1850-1890, Ulster Imports 1988
• Over the Top, WW1 Command Decision series rules, GDW 1990
• Volley & Bayonet, GDW 1994 (with Frank Chadwick)
• Charlie Company - Infantry Combat in Vietnam 1965-1972 (2nd ed), RAFM 1997 (with John Reeves)
• Volley & Bayonet: Road to Glory, TOB Games 2008 (with Frank Chadwick)

Rules supplements and Scenario books

• And Continually Wear the Blue: A Short Guide to the U.S. Army & the 'Indian Wars' 1850-90, RAFM 1989 (with Mike Gilbert).
• A Guide to the American War of Independence in the North, Ulster Imports 1990
• Remember the Maine and to Hell with Spain : Being a Wargamer's Guide to the Spanish American War 1898, Ulster Imports, 1990
• Battles of the American Civil War – A Volley & Bayonet supplement, GDW 1994
• The Rough Riders - Vol.1: A Volley & Bayonet Supplement for the Spanish-American War, GDW 1999 (with Frank Chadwick).
• The Rough Riders - Vol.2: A Volley & Bayonet Supplement for the Spanish-American War, GDW 1999 (with Frank Chadwick).
• The American War of Independence - Book 1: The Northern Campaigns, Old Glory
• The American War of Independence - Book 2: The Southern Campaigns, Old Glory

Greg Novak was also Editor of the Command Post Quarterly magazine (published by the GDW and Emperor’s Headquarters)-

Awards

Member of the Legion of Honour, Historical Miniatures Gaming Society - East ^[6]

References

1. "Gregory Novak". News-Gazette.com. Retrieved 2012-03-19.
2. "Novak Academy".
3. http://theminiaturespage.com/plus/msg.mv?id=153405
4. http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=260508
5. "Greg Novak". Icds.forumattivo.com. Retrieved 2012-03-19.
6. "Legion of Honor". Hmgs.org. Retrieved 2012-03-19.

External links

• Bring up the rear (Greg Novak's blog)