My friend and fellow skeptic Jim Oberg reports in a USENET newsgroup that noted UFO debunker Philip Klass has died. Edit: The Washington Post has an article about this.
That’s sad; he was a tireless pursuer of bunkum. The world is a little more credulous without him.
Note added August 11: A friend sent me a follow-up note about Klass. In a UFO newsletter/mailing list called “Saucer Smear”, Klass left this message for UFO believers:
The Last Will and Testament of Philip J. Klass
To UFOlogists who publicly criticize me…or who even think unkind thoughts about me in private, I do hereby leave and bequeath THE UFO CURSE: No matter how long you live, you will never know any more about UFOs than you know today. You will never know any more about what UFOs really are, or where they come from. You will never know any more about what the U.S. Government really knows about UFOs that you know today. As you lie on your own death-bed you will be as mystified about UFOs as you are today. And you will remember this curse.
August 11th, 2005 at 5:41 am
Phil, you have my deepest sympathy. You really do. May his spirit live on in the work of good skeptics everywhere, wether they battle, astronomy, creationinsts, or hoax-believers.
August 11th, 2005 at 10:32 am
Phil Klass was tireless in his pursuit of the truth behind “flying saucer” stories.
He will be missed! He was one of the “good ones”.
Can you believe that there are people (on the usenet that Phil linked to) that are using Mr. Klass’ death as an opportunity to take “pot shots” at him…everything from questioning his character to calling him names. Have they no shame? I guess I answered my own question…
August 11th, 2005 at 10:52 am
His curse was awesome.
The first effective curse in history! He could win the million bucks with that one on JREF.
August 11th, 2005 at 11:03 am
…the heck? Just read the usenet replies…do they think dissing a dead man is going to make their cause any more credible? It certainly isn’t going to help their PR!
Hope the curse works – they certainly deserve one.
August 11th, 2005 at 12:43 pm
If that really was his last message, what a great sense of humor for 85/86. I think we all hope that we’re that sharp in our old age.
August 11th, 2005 at 1:43 pm
The most evil curse ever
Philip Klass, the famous UFO debunker, has died and left behind a particularly nasty curse: The Last Will and Testament of Philip J. Klass To UFOlogists who publicly criticize me…or who even think unkind thoughts about me in private, I do hereby …
August 14th, 2005 at 3:56 am
Try to replace the word “UFOs” with “women” in above curse…:-)
August 15th, 2005 at 7:30 pm
Wonderful! “From Hell’s heart I spit at thee…”
I wish you a long and accurate range, Mr. Klass.
August 16th, 2005 at 12:31 am
[...] Philip J. Klass The CURSE [...]
August 16th, 2005 at 7:32 am
Exactly – the first visual I got was from Wrath of Khan. A long and accurate range, and never ending supply of ammunition.
August 16th, 2005 at 7:37 am
[...] Here’s one to make even a nonbeliever weep. [...]
August 25th, 2005 at 1:47 pm
We’ve lost a Titan in the field of rationalism, lets all make that extra bit of effort as a testament to his memory!
August 26th, 2005 at 11:35 pm
I just learned today (8/26) of Philip Klass’ passing. His “UFOs Explained” is one of the best pieces of skeptical literature ever–marvelous detective work, and something even a science-challenged reader like myself can benefit from. His curse is hilarious!
Men of integrity are always missed.
Lee
September 13th, 2005 at 4:34 pm
I mourn the passing of a great man. It was Phil Klass to woke me up to the mythology behind the UFO mythos. (I was only 18, I was allowed to be gullible!)
I am sure that his curse shall work.
P.S. Mycology, phycology, botany, anything is a better passtime than UFOlogy.
October 15th, 2005 at 5:07 am
Phil, may you rest in peace; you were good for the UFO world, for you exposed all the frauds, money takers and all the phonies that inhabit the world of UFOs. Hopefully, another man of your unique ability will take your place! ADIOS amigo!!!
October 21st, 2005 at 1:11 pm
Phil was not only a wondeful guy and a first-rate intellect but a very kind-hearted soul as well. He tried to get a teenage UFO hoaxer who couldn’t afford college a job with a company that offered scholarships. Phil also debunked Soviet disinformation re the downed Korean airliner in 1983.
R. I. P.
June 12th, 2008 at 11:22 am
Klass was a horrible person and a terrible “investigtor” — when he couldn’t find any legit way to torpedo a claim, he simply called the witness a liar and walked away. Real scientific.
November 19th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
Klass is the prototype of ignorance.Those who spent time on researche will always improve their knowlogde,no matter the subject.I’ve been studying the ufo phenomenon for the last three decades,and every day a learn a little more.As well as in others fields .
Ignorance,intolerance and stupidity are akin,they have the same cromossomial origin.