It’s tough to announce the death of any APBA fan. When it’s someone like Howard Ahlskog, it’s like losing an APBA All-Star. Howard passed away this week at the age of 74. I was texted about it by Don Smith today. In his words, Ahlskog was a “legend among APBA players”.
Indeed, Mr. Ahlskog was a long time fan of the APBA game. In fact, he was a major contributor to the APBA contributor to the game even back when I was still getting my feet wet. He had the ear of APBA founder Dick Seitz and no doubt influenced how the engine of the game was developed.
He was an avid APBA baseball player but later became known for his expertise in APBA Football. He wrote many articles for the APBA Journal detailing the ratings and describing the APBA Football league he founded in Greenfield, Massachusetts. Howard kept the APBA Journal from going under and became its editor and publisher in 1986. With the help of wife Sally, he kept it going till 1993.
It should be no surprise that Howard Ahlskog was a first time inductee when APBA instituted its Hall of Fame in 2001. If you want to find out more about Howard Ahlskog and the effect he had on the game of APBA, Geoff Giordano did a great interview of Howard that is full of APBA history (here is Part 2 of the interview).
RIP and roll dem 66s, Howard
Sad about his passing. He saved the APBA journal right when I was getting back into the hobby. Condolences to Howard’s family.
I am saddened to come across Mr. Ahlskog’s passing here. I subscribed to the APBA Journal for many years during the 1970s and ’80s. Because I didn’t do a good job of saving them I have lost one of my most treasured issues having to do with a rainout/postponement card (basically a blank APBA card) dice roll that was printed in one of the journals. Can anyone help me with such card? Many thanks if so.