RIP Lyman and condolences to all his loved ones. Gone so very much too soon. From what I read here, Lyman was not only an asset to pinball, but also an amazing person.
Quoted from bigehrl:Back when i owned Reciprocal Skateshop in the E.village of Manhattan, I used to run a tournament called Pinferno. We did it every year or so. So in, or around 2011, His wonderful girlfriend Penni, whom many of you probably know, was still living in NYC and was a regular face there, playing almost daily. Lyman flew in for one of the tournaments, both to compete and to spend time with her. So, rewind maybe 3 months or so before, I had just bought a NIB LOTR LE, which came with the authenticity certificate unsigned by Gary Stern. That's right, the signature line was left blank. As well, there was no goodie bag! I was like WTF?!? So i jokingly wrote an RGP Post reviewing the machine and insisting that Gary owes me his signature. In one line I asked "do you realize how many parent-less skate rats, asking for free-s&^t all day long, i have to put up with to earn $5000??". It never occurred to me that anyone at Stern would ever actually see it. Fast forward back to the day of the tournament, and Lyman walks into the shop. We're all mesmerized. We were looking at, and about the play against THE LYMAN SHEATS!!! The guy who did the code on Spider-Man!! So first he hands me a Spidey translight, because he knew it was one of my favorite games. It included a very nice message written on it, which i proudly still have today. Then he pulls out a LOTR goodie bag, and a new certificate with Gary's signature on it, and says "Gary says this is for you, and he wants to know.. exactly how many skate-rats DO you have to put up with to earn $5000?!?"
What a coincidence. This day is also my memory of Lyman, but from a totally different perspective. I had just flown to New York City for a short holiday. I remember being at your shop to pick up some stuff, talking to you and playing some pinball. Pinferno was about to start.
Just when my girlfriend and I were ready to leave, in walks Lyman Sheats. I remember being quite starstruck and thinking "Wow, this guy is Pinball Royalty!" and also "If this is the level of competition here, I don't mind not taking part in this tournament. I wouldn't stand a chance!" Back on the streets, I enthusiastically told my girl how important the guy we just ran into was for pinball. And he was.
Santa Clara, CA
Orillia, ON
