{{Short description|American wargame designer (1950–2012)}} {{notability|Biographies|date=April 2013}} {{Infobox person |name = Greg Novak |image = |image_size = |caption = |birth_name = |birth_date = {{Birth date|1950|9|4}} |birth_place = |death_date = {{death date and age|2012|3|7|1950|9|4}} |death_place = | resting_place = Saint Marys Cemetery (Champaign, Illinois) |spouse = |other_names = |known_for = |education = |employer = |occupation = Game designer |website = }}
{{Wargaming}}
'''Greg Novak''' (September 4, 1950 – March 7, 2012)<ref>"United States Social Security Death Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KMD7-3YQ : accessed 25 May 2016), Gregory W Novak, 07 Mar 2012; citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing).</ref> was a wargame designer, author of dozens of games, rules supplements and scenario books, his most notable contributions including the Volley & Bayonet series and several works about the American War of Independence.
==Biography== Born on September 4, 1950, in Chicago,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.news-gazette.com/obituaries/2012-03-10/gregory-novak.html |title=Gregory Novak |publisher=News-Gazette.com |date= |accessdate=2012-03-19}}</ref> son of George and Sylvia (Stepnowski) Novak, and married to Donna Oakes Gerbino on July 19, 1997, Greg Novak worked as a librarian at Edison and Jefferson middle schools for 31 years, and for the Champaign Office of Education. He was active in the Champaign Teachers Federation, serving as a building steward, member of the collective bargaining unit, vice president and president. Upon his retirement he was elected to the Champaign Board of Education. After his death Champaign Unit 4 Schools named their Alternative High School facility in his honor.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.champaignschools.org/schools/home/?id=28 |title=Novak Academy |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140129055919/http://www.champaignschools.org/schools/home/?id=28 |archivedate=2014-01-29 }}</ref>
== Wargaming == Greg Novak was a key figure in the wargaming hobby,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://theminiaturespage.com/plus/msg.mv?id=153405|title = [TMP] "Greg Novak" Topic}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=260508|title = [TMP] "A Very Sad Day -- We'ved Lost Greg Novak" Topic}}</ref> leaving a lasting and internationally recognized<ref>{{cite web|url=http://icds.forumattivo.com/t925-greg-novak |title=Greg Novak |publisher=Icds.forumattivo.com |date= |accessdate=2012-03-19}}</ref> legacy both as an author and as a promoter of wargaming events. Among his main contributions as an author should be listed :
'''Boardgames'''
* ''Guilford Courthouse'' (Series 120) – GDW1978
'''Rules''' * ''Fire and Steel - Rules for Battles with System 7 Napoleonics'', GDW 1978 (with John Harshman and Rich Banner) * ''Charlie Company - Infantry Combat in Vietnam 1965-1972'', Ulster Imports 1988 (with John Reeves) * ''Yellow Ribbon : Rules for the Indian Wars, 1850-1890'', Ulster Imports 1988 * ''Over the Top'', WW1 Command Decision series rules, GDW 1990 * ''Volley & Bayonet'', GDW 1994 (with Frank Chadwick) * ''Charlie Company - Infantry Combat in Vietnam 1965-1972'' (2nd ed), RAFM 1997 (with John Reeves) * ''Volley & Bayonet: Road to Glory'', TOB Games 2008 (with Frank Chadwick)
'''Rules supplements and Scenario books''' * ''And Continually Wear the Blue: A Short Guide to the U.S. Army & the 'Indian Wars' 1850-90'', RAFM 1989 (with Mike Gilbert). * ''A Guide to the American War of Independence in the North'', Ulster Imports 1990 * ''Remember the Maine and to Hell with Spain : Being a Wargamer's Guide to the Spanish American War 1898'', Ulster Imports, 1990 * ''Battles of the American Civil War – A Volley & Bayonet supplement'', GDW 1994 * ''The Rough Riders - Vol.1: A Volley & Bayonet Supplement for the Spanish–American War'', GDW 1999 (with Frank Chadwick). * ''The Rough Riders - Vol.2: A Volley & Bayonet Supplement for the Spanish–American War'', GDW 1999 (with Frank Chadwick). * ''The American War of Independence - Book 1: The Northern Campaigns'', Old Glory * ''The American War of Independence - Book 2: The Southern Campaigns'', Old Glory
Greg Novak was also Editor of the ''Command Post Quarterly'' magazine (published by the GDW and Emperor's Headquarters)-
== Awards== Member of the Legion of Honour, Historical Miniatures Gaming Society - East <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hmgs.org/legion.htm |title=Legion of Honor |publisher=Hmgs.org |accessdate=2012-03-19 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314084832/http://www.hmgs.org/legion.htm |archivedate=2012-03-14 }}</ref>
==References== <references/>
==External links== *[https://web.archive.org/web/20120412060957/http://home.comcast.net/~greg_novak_670/site/ Bring up the rear (Greg Novak's blog)] * {{Find a Grave|182476345}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Novak, Greg}} Category:1950 births Category:2012 deaths Category:American board game designers Category:School board members in Illinois Category:Wargame designers