remembering bob justman

I just found out that Bob Justman died over the weekend.

Bob was a producer on the original Star Trek, and one of the few people Gene trusted enough to bring along with him when he began putting TNG together. When I talk about the things that make Star Trek what it is, that set it apart from other science fiction on television, I’m usually talking about something that was directly created or heavily influenced by Bob. His contributions to this thing we all love so much are difficult to overstate.

The Star Trek family had a rough May: Alexander Courage and Joseph Pevney both passed away last month, and while the fan in me felt compelled to honor and remember their contributions, the passing of Bob Justman feels like a tangible, personal loss, because I knew him, and I really liked him. Bob didn’t treat me like a clueless teenager who had no idea what the
hell he was doing, even if that’s exactly who I was when we worked
together.

I can close my eyes right now and see him standing just outside the set lights on stage six, gesturing excitedly at the bridge while our crew set up a shot. I can hear him tell me, "Good job, kid," after a particularly grueling day on Planet Hell. I can see him walking around the set with Gene during our first season, discussing — sometimes heatedly — how to make the show better. Bob really cared about Star Trek, and fully understood and appreciated what Star Trek meant to the people who watched it. If you’re one of those people, take a moment today to remember him; he was one of the Good Guys.

Discover more from WIL WHEATON dot NET

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

19 thoughts on “remembering bob justman”

  2. I’m a bit older than you, Wil (saw TOS in First Release), and when I hear about all these people, and remember the great Star Trek they helped create, passing away, I feel Ancient.
    I’ll be in the bar…

  3. Science fiction pioneers are few and far between these days, and his passing is noted.
    It’s incredible to me that people can leave a legacy such as his.
    Maya Angelou says in a poem:
    Our senses, restored, never to be the same, whisper to us,
    They existed. They existed,
    We can be. Be and be better.
    For they existed.

  4. Mad Monk, that Maya Angelou poem is gorgeous. And absolutely right.
    I doff my hat to the memories of Bob Justman, Alexander Courage and Joseph Pevney. Were it not for them and their marvelous work, I might not be the Trekkie that I am today.
    RIP, gentlemen.

  6. Without him, we may not have had Patrick Stewart. That alone justifies Trek immortality, but he did a lot more than that.

  7. I had the honor of meeting Bob Justman at a convention about a decade ago. He was friendly, knowledgeable and fascinating to listen and to talk to.
    His presence will be missed.

  8. As an admirer of musical scores, Mr. Courage’s passing was a huge loss….as a Trek fan, all of them, especially Mr. Justman it seems, who as you describe so eloquently gave so much will be sorely missed….
    “May the wind always be at your back.”

  9. As I close in on 40 I find myself getting really nostalgic on news like this. Maybe it’s that I feel so many “eras” of my life are starting to pass. Maybe it’s that I’m on cholesterol meds. I don’t know.
    But thanks for bringing me a little bit closer to one of the few pieces of entertainment that truly shaped my life, if only a bit. I appreciate perpectives like these.

  10. Bob Justman (and Herb Solow) wrote what I think is the best book on the making of the original series called “Inside Star Trek: The Real Story.” I think I’ll go back and re-read.

  12. I have all the ST:TNG episodes on shuffle right now. ‘Angel One’ is on right now. I have a good deal of respect for anyone who worked on this show, because it was such a huge part of my early teenage years, and even the development of my personality.
    My condolences to you, and all of Bob’s friends and families.
    -Chris

  13. Dear Wil,
    My condolences, not only on the passing of Bob Justman, but also Joseph Pevney and Alexander Courage.
    I was very fortunate to have met all three gentlemen (at the Gene Roddenberry Hollywood Star Ceremony party at Paramount), and encountered Mr. Justman on several other occasions.
    I remember that Mr. Justman had a terrific sense of humor. He greeted the 25th Anniversary Creation Con audience with these words: “Friends, Romulans, Vulcans…lend my your ears.”
    Wishing you and your family the very best, Wil, and hoping that your memories provide you some solace.
    Morjana

  14. Wil, you have my deepest condolences as does the families of Bob Justman, Joseph Pevney and Alexander Courage. It is sad that they have passed on. My hopes are that you (and the rest us) are able to keep smiling for the ways they touched our lives and the memories we have of them in our hearts. No one can take those memories from us. We are to treasure them in our hearts, where those memories will remain. I too had an uncle pass away this weekend. So, these losses hit hard all the way around this week.

  17. Mr. Justman was kind enough to come and speak to one of my college classes a few years ago. (I had at least a decade on most of my classmates) He was so warm and encouraging. He left an impression on me. I still have the handout he autographed for me. I was very sorry to hear of his passing.

  18. I am very sad to hear this. TNG was one of the best parts of my childhood: no matter how rough a week had been, I could always park myself on the floor in front of the TV and watch Star Trek, and I would feel better. It remains one of my favorite TV shows ever. My thoughts are with you, his family, and all those he touched.

  19. That is sad news. His influence and devotion to Star Trek helped shaped it. Thankfully his legacy will live on in the shows and the fans of them.

Comments are closed.

Related Posts

Recent Posts