This is probably the toughest piece of VAXMAIL I've ever had to send, so 
please bear with me if I'm not too eloquent.
   As many of you know, George Opperman was admitted to El Camino Hospital
this past Sunday morning.  He was diagnosed as having lung cancer in a very
advanced stage.  I have just been informed by his family that he passed
away shortly before noon today.
   George's family (wife Pat, son Kevin, and daughter Heather) were able to
spend the last couple days at his side.  Other than some shortness of breath
and a raspy voice, the last few days were quite miraculously pain-free, and
he was able to enjoy the time with his family and many close friends and
fellow workers who dropped by to encourage him.  He and his family were
especially grateful for this, and Pat has asked me to pass on her thanks
to all of his "family" here.  
   The family will not be making any final arrangements until Friday, but
according to Pat, they will probably be scheduling a Memorial Service for
some time early next week (Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday).  I will try and
let everybody know the details of this by first thing Monday morning.  I
believe Tuesday will be the most likely day for this to be scheduled.
   Few people have given as much of their life to a company as George gave
to Atari, and even fewer will leave behind the marks of permanence and
beauty and art that 
George was able to leave.  His going will leave a big hole in the lives of
his family, his friends, his fellow workers, and a significant number of
other people who were touched by his role here at Atari.
   George's family's home address, where they will all be for the next week or
two is:      5869 Amapola Drive
             San Jose, Ca. 95129
I'm sure they would all appreciate your thoughts and your prayers.

                                                          Dan Van

   There will be a memorial service for George Opperman on Wednesday evening
(Dec. 4) at 7:00 pm.  The service will be held at:

         LIMA FAMILY MORTUARY
         1315 HOLLENBECK AVE.
         SUNNYVALE, CA.         (Corner of Fremont and Hollenbeck)

   The family has informed us that the service will be open to all friends
and co-workers of George who wish to attend.  Also, for any of those who
wish to convey their personal condolences and messages to the family, George's
wife Pat, son Kevin, and daughter Heather are residing at:

         5869 AMAPOLA DR.
         SAN JOSE, CA. 95129