Heinlein Fans Asked To Dig Deep

Heinlein-faceRobert A. Heinlein was one of four additions to the Hall of Famous Missourians in 2013, but he is the only one whose bust has yet to be installed in the capitol.

Missouri’s rule is that the bust must be paid for by the public (not the state) and the funds have yet to be raised. Now The Heinlein Society is stepping up to see that the job is finished.

The Society’s Paypal link (see “I want to Pay it Forward” at top right of Home page) now includes a dedicated selection for “Hall of Famous Missourians Bust” with example amounts. A second donate button is free form if you don’t see one of the example amounts that matches your generosity and desire to “Pay it Forward!” in memory of Robert A. Heinlein. Checks may also be sent to the Society’s mailing address at 3553 Atlantic Avenue, #341, Long Beach, CA 90807-5606. Just indicate “Hall of Famous Missourians” in the memo field of your check.

Last year a staffer for the Missouri Speaker of the House told me the cost of the components would be: bust, $9,500; base, $2,000; and plaque, $250. The Heinlein Society’s latest estimate, including the cost of the award ceremony, is reported in the $12,000-$20,000 range.

7 thoughts on “Heinlein Fans Asked To Dig Deep

  1. This sounds like one of those scams where you get to pay to be listed in a version of Who’s Who.

  2. At first, I was mostly pleased that they’d provided a snailmail address (I don’t do money on the computer). But then I started thinking more seriously about it. Frankly, I don’t give a shit whether or not RAH has a bust anywhere. His books, and the education to read them critically, are what count, and I think I’ll reserve my money for the promotion of those goals, thank you very much.

  3. Two of the four 2013 choices were voted by the public. A lot of fans went to the site and voted.

    The inventor of osteopathy came in first and for his backers it was a big commercial to fund all this. Heinlein fans had a different reason but all these rules were in place when we voted him in.

  4. (We is a tricky word. Maybe YOU weren’t part of “we”, but anybody who was part of “we” hopefully will send in a few bucks.)

  5. might contribute , but also curious about the 4 pane commemorative stamp of him along with Bradbury, Clarke and Asimov…whatever happened with that…if denied before, will it be re-introduced to stamp okaying committee???

  6. I’m not from Missiouri, but if they were paying for a bust of him in a spacesuit helmet, even I might be convinced to contribute.

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