Author Topic: Iron Cheetah Creator is Gone (Read 8984 times)

Rick Raisley · « **on:** 29 August 2015, 22:42:52 »

David "CanisD" Briedis, creator of the infamous Iron Cheetah and good friend for almost 25 years, is gone. He passed away during surgery from a massive heart attack on Thursday, August 27, 2015. Dave was always a player, most often the leader, of our BattleTech games, back before HeavyMetal was even a consideration, and playtested and advised since that time. He was a great BattleTech player, an incredible designer, and a first-rate artist of mechanical designs. He did more with the original Windows Paint program than most people could do with PhotoShop. And he was absolutely the most knowledgeable person I have ever met concerning WWII and other era military ships, as well as so many other topics. I once used a small plastic part from a Yamato 1/720 scale model as an antenna array on my Ghost Ram custom 'Mech design. When Dave saw it, he stared, puzzled for a moment, then smiled and said "Yamato, right?" You just couldn't put anything past him.

Besides our personal loss, Dave was involved in many other projects, mostly involving art or gaming, and most of which I don't have information at hand about. His wit, knowledge, friendliness and just down-to-earth quality is hard to equal, and will be missed so much, by me and so many others. Despite many health problems, and being confined to a wheelchair for the last decade or so, he was one of the most optimistic and positive people I have ever known.

Here are a couple links concerning Dave and his work:

Some work by Dave on DeviantArt: http://djbriedis.deviantart.com/

Some of Dave's work and interests on PhotoBucket: http://s49.photobucket.com/user/CanisD/library/?sort=3&page=1

Dave's drawings for the BattleStar Prometheus series: http://wolfsshipyard.com/BSG_BSP.htm

Dave's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/dbriedis?fref=nf

If you'd like to post a comment or tribute, here's a link for you (there are many comments on Dave's Facebook page, as well):

http://dunbarirmo.tributes.com/dignitymemorial/obituary/David-John-Briedis-102795361

Selah! Dave. You will be missed.

Louie N · « **Reply #1 on:** 29 August 2015, 23:06:45 »

Sorry for your loss Rick.

PurpleDragon · « **Reply #2 on:** 30 August 2015, 02:56:58 »

Not just his loss. All of our loss. I never met the man, but I did use some of his art for illustration in some of my games I ran especially BSG.

God and Davion · « **Reply #3 on:** 30 August 2015, 04:18:11 »

My condolences :( :(

jimdigris · « **Reply #4 on:** 30 August 2015, 07:47:07 »

I am sorry to hear of his loss.

Dragon41673 · « **Reply #5 on:** 30 August 2015, 08:44:41 »

Sorry to hear of his passing, as well as the loss of your friend. I wish you & his family the best.

For those that don't know, the Iron Cheetah was designed as follows on the link below...

http://www.heavymetalpro.com/ironcheetah.html

And probably the best miniature form from our very own Siberian Troll...

And a comparison picture with a standard Dire Wolf...

Takiro · « **Reply #6 on:** 30 August 2015, 09:45:30 »

Sorry to hear about that. My best to his friends and family.

Demon55 · « **Reply #7 on:** 30 August 2015, 09:46:02 »

My condolences.

M-Rex · « **Reply #8 on:** 30 August 2015, 10:08:22 »

This is a sad day. I am very sorry to hear this.

Condolences.

Natasha Kerensky · « **Reply #9 on:** 30 August 2015, 10:35:25 »

Seyla.

DaveMac · « **Reply #10 on:** 30 August 2015, 11:16:58 »

Sorry to hear about that matey

Medron Pryde · « **Reply #11 on:** 30 August 2015, 12:01:27 »

CanisD....he will be missed...

DEZOAT · « **Reply #12 on:** 30 August 2015, 15:31:45 »

I didn't know him but I know I have read many of his post. This oldzoat feels very old right now. He was still very young by my standard . My Condolences

solmanian · « **Reply #13 on:** 30 August 2015, 17:07:59 »

I'm sorry for your loss. He was good people.

Bobbysaypie · « **Reply #14 on:** 30 August 2015, 18:28:13 »

Goodnight Mechwarrior, Goodnight...

...Now its time, to close your tired eyes...

Stormlion1 · « **Reply #15 on:** 30 August 2015, 19:09:52 »

Another great is gone.

FedSunsBorn · « **Reply #16 on:** 30 August 2015, 19:32:01 »

Never knew him but thoughts and prayers go with him and to his family and friends.

I am Belch II · « **Reply #17 on:** 30 August 2015, 19:49:08 »

So sorry for the loss.

GoldBishop · « **Reply #18 on:** 30 August 2015, 19:58:13 »

May he be at peace.

Seyla.

Feenix74 · « **Reply #19 on:** 02 September 2015, 19:48:10 »

Deepest sympathies to his sibkin and comrades in arms.

May his legacy be remembered and burn bright for eternity.

Seyla.

Siberian-troll · « **Reply #20 on:** 03 September 2015, 00:13:27 »

My sincere condolences by his family and frends.

I been sorry to hear about it so late.

Rest in peace, David.

PS. Attached here small tribute to him.

Rick Raisley · « **Reply #21 on:** 03 September 2015, 09:23:12 »

Thanks so much for sharing those. I'd never seen all the variants at one time like that. Very nice work.

Hopefully Dave has fast Internet travel where he's gone and can appreciate them as well.

The Mighty ACHOO · « **Reply #22 on:** 03 September 2015, 13:04:57 »

We all have been lessened by his loss. My deepest condolences to his friends and family. May he be remembered in the halls.

IAMCLANWOLF · « **Reply #23 on:** 04 September 2015, 14:04:29 »

Very sorry to learn of this. Godspeed, David. The Iron Cheetah will live on in your memory.
Thank you for the inspiration! Mech on.

Here is another interpretation of this mighty machine.
Had fun Kit-bashing this one from MWDA parts, for something different.
Hell's Horses paintwork by the amazing SchwerpunktStudios.