Update, October 20: Chris died on the 14th. We’ve just published a 3,000-word tribute to him.
Chris Meadows, long-time TeleRead writer and former editor, was seriously injured on his electric bike in a hit and run accident in Indianapolis. Sympathy to his family. If you’re religious, pray as hard as you can for him—he has serious brain injuries and is on a respirator.
In full, here is a just-seen Facebook post from his mother, Judy L. Meadows:
Our son Chris was in a devastating accident. He was riding his electronic bicycle when he was hit, hit and run by an SUV in Indianpolis. Chris has bad head injuries, swollen brain, and bad bleed in his head. Chris has been unconscious ever since and is on a respirator. The doctor warns that this may not be survivable for Chris. All we can do is pray.
I’ll share updated facts here or in a separate post when I know more. I’m the founder and publisher of TeleRead, but in recent years Chris has been the main contributor, so this is quite a setback, especially given the level of his talent for producing sprightly, thoughtful prose—reflecting a love of both books and gadgets. Fittingly, he is the son of two librarians.
Chris has never been afraid to speak his mind in his writings or, in his Ozarks twang, in real life. Although a big library booster, for example, he has questioned the copyright-related practices of the Internet Archive. I myself have disagreed to an extent, but have welcomed his different perspective.
No matter what happens, TeleRead will go on, albeit most likely with far less frequent posts. TeleRead is no longer commercial, and in recent years Chris was working as a volunteer except for small tips from readers. His daytime job has been as an employee of the Anthem insurance company.
You can read an old bio of Chris, a 47-year-old Missouri native and graduate of Missouri State University, on our About page and also see his LinkedIn entry. He holds both computer- and communications-related degrees from MSU. Experienced in tech support and software testing, he has endeared himself to readers with how-tos on such topics as using Google software on Amazon tablets.
Chris has been ebooking since the late 1990s and, except for some time at The Digital Reader, has been writing for us since 2006. He has also run his own blogs, including That’s All I Have to Say, full of miscellaneous essays as readable as his TeleRead posts.
A full-strength games, comics, and SF fan, Chris is author of The Geek’s Guide to Indianapolis: A Tour Guide for Con Gamers and Other Visitors, well-received by Kindle readers. “This book has tons of information for the Con Gamer, but it’s impressive as a guide to Indianapolis for anyone visiting the area,” a representative review on Amazon says. In games circles, Chris is known as Robotech_Master (more on Robotech here).
Perhaps the copyright issues associated with the Robotech franchise, which goes back to a Japanese TV series starting in 1985, helped inspire Chris’s interest in intellectual property issues—the topic of many of his TeleRead posts.
Let’s hope for the miracle Chris so much deserves. He did survive a less serious scooter accident in 2008. Needless to say, I’ve seen Chris as the logical person to keep TeleRead alive after I’m gone. I’d rather that still happen.
Update #1, added 10 p.m. Eastern Time, October 9, 2020
Update #2, 10:30 a.m., October 10
Update #3, about 4:45 p.m., October 10
From Judy Meadows, Chris’s mother, writing this afternoon: “We just got this news update from Alex. This sounds encouraging. We were about to lose hope, but maybe God will work a miracle after all. Of course, Chris is still in serious condition, so we must not get our hopes too high. We’ll just keep praying.”
From Alex Meadows, one of Chris’s brothers: “I am visiting Chris right now. He looks much better today on the outside. The hematoma swelling is significantly reduced from when I saw him Thursday. They have switched his ventilator to APAP only, as he is breathing on his own. They are currently doing a 24-hr EEG because of some minor seizure activity which neurology will review tomorrow. Apnea study will probably happen on Monday. He is on some medicine to control seizures and to reduce high blood pressure and to control his temperature. ~Alex”
Update #4, about 7 p.m., October 11
From Alex, writing this afternoon: “Just visited Chris. He had a bit of a spa day this morning — the nurses trimmed his mustache for him. He is doing a better job with his blood pressure today, managing to maintain it below 160 without medication. His body temperature is also much more stable. He has a cooling blanket still, but it is at a very low setting.”
Update #5, about 11 a.m., October 12
From Judy, when asked about a GoFundMe page: “He should have good insurance since he works for Anthem. I will see what Alex thinks. We are praying that the results from the 24hour EEG that will come in today will be good. Right now, I am going to take a walk with my dog in the woods. I was feeling very low yesterday. I am so thankful that he is breathing on his own! Now we pray that the EEG will give us more hope and that he will WAKE UP! All the love and support from his friends and ours is comforting. I have to keep my hands and head busy. I may feel up to a horseback ride soon. Right now I am sticking close to technology. Audible books and praying for my head, housework for my hands.”
Update #6, about 9 p.m., October 12
From Judy: “No news today so far. Alex has been in Bloomington Indiana and was going to let us know the results of the EEG, but maybe he doesn’t have them yet or maybe he hasn’t gotten home yet. Aaron is out of town also. Alex has called us at 9:30 the past two nights, so maybe he will do that tonight.”
Update #7, about 10 a.m., October 13
From Judy: “Sad news. Chris stopped breathing on his own yesterday. He will be put on palliative care today. We are praying for peace, comfort, and strength for our family and others who love him.”
I’m sad and worried. All his friends are. He inspired so many people. Much of our work is lying on that hospital bed with him.
I’m also furious, but that rant doesn’t belong here. We all know who the real culprit is. And it doesn’t help us in the least.
Feel free to e-mail me if you need to talk to someone about… anything, really.
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Beautifully put, Felix. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. There are more than a few Chrises. The TeleRead editor-writer. The travel guide author. The games enthusiast. The comic fan. And of course, the son, brother, cousin, friend, and more. Let’s hope the best for all of them.
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Sorry to hear this. He was a useful presence on these topics. Best wishes to him and his family.
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I’m not a Republican, but I offer my thoughts and prayers anyway, in deepest sincerity. This is horrible news and I hope for the best. I haven’t entirely agreed with Chris’s postings but that’s the beauty of it. His has been an enlightened and enlivening voice in the discussions over publishing, technology, copyright, etc.
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Bill, thank you very much for your kind words about Chris. Just so you know, he comes from a very religious family, and I thought of that when I wrote the lead. My impression is that he himself is a believer. Politically? Most likely either independent or Democrat. Of course, I’ve been far more interested in his insights on e-books and related matters then in his political or religious views.
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I think Bill was referring to the way Republicans, at least the ones who are prominently featured in society today, tend to offer ‘thoughts and prayers’ rather than constructive actual help. I don’t think he was referring to Chris’s political stance, as you clarified. 🙂
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Philip Meadow: I guess I’ve already taken care of the clarification issue. My sympathy, and please keep us very much up-to-date on Chris.
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I think Bill was referring to the way Republicans, at least the ones who are prominently featured in society today, tend to offer ‘thoughts and prayers’ rather than constructive actual help. I don’t think he was referring to Chris’s political stance, as you clarified. 🙂
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Despondo: Thanks for your clarification of my clarification. You’re probably right. Whatever the case, I very much appreciate Bill’s good wishes for Chris. And yours, too!
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I pray the Chris has a good outcome. It is devastating news.
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Thanks, Dana—and David Rosenfeld as well.
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I didn’t even know I had a presence or account on this site. Well I’ll just a few words.
Chris is a dear friend of mine, though it hurts to be using that name. I mostly used his online handle Robotech_Master. What has happened is far too real for pen-names.
I pray hard that one day I will call him “Robotech_Master” once again. For it means that life has ceased being so impossibly real.
This is hit me harder than I dare imagine. I can barely force myself to eat. When I first this article it scared the hell out of me, I had already known from mutual friends what happened to Chris. So when I told another friend about what happened he thought I was crafting a dark humor, but then he found this article proving I told the truth.
When I saw Chris’ thumbnail in the picture, my heart skipped a bit and I feared that an obituary had been printed. Thankfully that’s not the case.
So far, there have been no updates on Chris’ situation, hell he’s still listed as AFK on Steam and Discord.
When it comes to brain injuries, no news tends to be good news. I mean they’re not going to tell the family the second Chris wakes up, they’ll have to test his cognitive function and memory first, rather slowly at that since they wouldn’t want to risk overwhelming him or sending him into shock.
What I’m saying is, I’m scared as Hell, but thankfully there is a chance that the nightmare will end and we can have our friend back.
All I want for Christmas is my good chum, Chris “Robotech_Master” Meadows, alive, intact, and well.
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HawlSera: What a touching tribute to Chris—Robotech_Master! You’re right about brain injuries. Let’s hope Chris is conscious even now and the doctors are on the cusp of alerting the family. Sorry we can’t find out the nanosecond he awakes! As soon as I heard the terrible news, I shared my email address with Chris’s mother and asked for updates. Judy is already a Facebook Friend, so she can also reach me that way. In addition, I have requested the same of his cousin, Philip Meadows, in a comment here. Let’s hope you get your Christmas gift. Thanks again for sharing your feelings.
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So I heard more news and the prognosis is not good at all. His brothers are receiving end of life counseling with the doctors and Chris has no eye movement. They say he would not last more than a few minutes if taken of the respirator. Short of a miracle, he may already be gone.
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Chris is a good person. I had the pleasure of training Chris when he transferred to the Preauthorization department at Anthem.
I am praying for Chris. I have always been intrigued by Chris. He is very smart. I have enjoyed reading some of his work. My prayers also for his family.
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@Martha: Thank you. I’m not surprised that Chris has been the same wonderful person at Anthem as in his TeleRead role.
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He is awesome. He would tell me about his writing adventures. He would sometimes bring me a delicious treat from a bakery. He sat next to me. I enjoyed hearing him on the phones. He was always compassionate and caring. I am praying for him. He makes the world a better place just by being himself.
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I’ve just added Update #1 to the main post: The news is not good, but his mother is still hoping for a miracle. More details in Update.
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I’ve known Chris for decades. We’ve written together. And since the days of Palm Pilots and Treos as ebook readers, Chris has been my go-to for advice and recommendations.
He is a gentle, kind, and loving man, and knowing him has been a gift and a privilege, and I’m praying for a miracle too.
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@Eric: Not surprised Chris has been your go-to. I bought my last two or three phones after he purchased similar models. Same in regard to Google Fi.
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Chris is a huge inspiration to me personally. Longtime acquaintance and a friend, though I regret falling out of contact over the past couple of years. I recently resumed my own journey as a writer and I can only hope to match up to him. His ability to just put everyone at ease, you just felt comfortable around him. One of the best guys I’ve ever met. Just a good soul. Praying for him to pull through. No surprise that so many people are here doing the same, he inspired a lot of people.
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I have no words.
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“No one is finally dead until the ripples they cause in the world die away, until the clock wound up winds down, until the wine she made has finished its ferment, until the crop they planted is harvested. The span of someone’s life is only the core of their actual existence.”
― Terry Pratchett, Reaper Man
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I’m another writer who loved and was inspired by Chris’ work, and every time we spoke he’s been a warm, friendly, and easy to talk with person.
I’m not religious, really, but I am hoping that some way, some how, I get to talk to him again soon.
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I was just trying to contact him the other day to pester him about a story thing … I’ll wait for when he’s awake, or when we meet again. Meanwhile, praying for his recovery and for his family.
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I have great respect for this man, going way back to the shared silly world of Superguy. It’s always a pleasant surprise to see his name on articles. I’m praying for his recovery.
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How sad — hope he can bounce back. Chris Meadows has been an indispensable fixture in the ebook/sci fi world.
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Continued thanks to everyone!
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If the family has set up a GoFundMe to help with medical expenses, we could spread the news. I have people asking if there is one.
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Thanks, Stephen. I have asked Chris’s family what their wishes would be in regard to a fund. Once a decision is made to go ahead, I’m confident they’ll appreciate all the publicity they can get. I can’t read the Meadows’ minds, but for now, they may simply want to focus on medical matters.
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From Judy Meadows, Chris’s mother, when asked this morning about a GoFundMe page: “He should have good insurance since he works for Anthem. I will see what Alex thinks. We are praying that the results from the 24hour EEG that will come in today will be good. Right now, I am going to take a walk with my dog in the woods. I was feeling very low yesterday. I am so thankful that he is breathing on his own! Now we pray that the EEG will give us more hope and that he will WAKE UP! All the love and support from his friends and ours is comforting. I have to keep my hands and head busy. I may feel up to a horseback ride soon. Right now I am sticking close to technology. Audible books and praying for my head, housework for my hands.”
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“ALL THINGS THAT ARE, ARE OURS. BUT WE MUST CARE. FOR IF WE DO NOT CARE, WE DO NOT EXIST. IF WE DO NOT EXIST, THEN THERE IS NOTHING BUT BLIND OBLIVION. AND EVEN OBLIVION MUST END SOMEDAY. LORD, WILL YOU GRANT ME JUST A LITTLE TIME? FOR THE PROPER BALANCE OF THINGS. TO RETURN WHAT WAS GIVEN. FOR THE SAKE OF PRISONERS AND THE FLIGHT OF BIRDS.
Death took a step backwards.
It was impossible to read expression in Azrael’s features.
Death glanced sideways at the servants.
LORD, WHAT CAN THE HARVEST HOPE FOR, IF NOT FOR THE CARE OF THE REAPER MAN?”
― Terry Pratchett, Reaper Man
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