Tabletop journalist and advocate Rob Wieland has passed away

Rob Wieland, a longtime journalist, performer, and designer in the tabletop hobby, died on October 12 at the age of 48. Wieland wrote for numerous outlets and websites, such as Forbes, Wyrd Science, and ENWorld, where he reviewed games, interviewed both creatives and luminaries, and kept a keen eye on the broader industry. As a trusted peer and fellow reporter, Wieland will be sorely missed by the Rascal crew.

News of his passing was first shared on social media by close friends. “I'm shocked and crushed to hear of the passing of my pal Rob Wieland this morning,” said designer Matt Forbeck on Bluesky. “I knew Rob for many years, and he was always a shining light in gaming in general and Milwaukee in particular … The first year we were guests at Gamehole Con — about a decade back — Rob and I were roommates. You couldn't find a better guy to hit a con with. He was a fixture at such events. I even bumped into him running a trivia contest at Irish Fest one year. My heart is with his wife and their young daughter who were the lights in his life. He glowed every time he talked about them, and he was taken from them far too soon.”

Wieland also contributed to local arts and culture outlet, the Milwaukee Record, where he covered the Milwaukee-based Adepticon show every year alongside tabletop events, music, films, and — one time — a blood rave. A memorial article from the Record’s co-founders and regular contributors recounts the legacy he leaves behind there.

Beyond his journalism career, Wieland hosted and facilitated Theatre of the Mind Players, an actual play featuring Milwaukee-based performers playing a wide range of tabletop RPG. He also hosted a recurring charity game of The Extraordinary Adventures of Baron Munchausen at Gamehole Con. Wieland styled himself as the admiral and led attendees in a group storytelling event called the Baron’s Ball. This year, friends will lead a Remembering Rob Wieland Storytime Hour with ticket proceeds donated to his surviving family. He was also a tabletop designer who boasted Star Wars Saga Edition, Shadowrun, Savage Worlds, Firefly, and World of Darkness book credits in his portfolio, alongside personally published games such as Camelot Trigger and Save Game.

Theatre of the Mind Players member Sarah Babe shared some words with Rascal via email: “Rob is, was, my best friend. I talked to him nearly every day in a group chat with my husband, Brad, and myself. He was the Batman to our Nightwing and Batgirl. He was the officiant at our wedding. He was one of the first friends I made at UW-Whitewater. He was my first longtime GM/DM/Storyteller. I owe a lot of who I am today to the adventures we shared. Nothing I write will ever do justice to the amazing impact Rob Wieland has had on so many lives. His passing has left a void in the entire gaming community, but it will be filled with stories inspired by his caring, generous, humble, and genuine nature. Damn it, Wieland. We are all going to miss you so much. No one had this on their bingo card.”

Dimension 20 and Critical Role dungeon master Brennan Lee Mulligan also remembered Wieland on Bluesky: “Devastated to hear about Rob Wieland's passing - a wonderful, golden-hearted man, a brilliant writer and journalist, and a passionate advocate for games and the people who play and make them. Sending nothing but the utmost love and deepest condolences to his friends and family,” Mulligan wrote. “I think Rob holds the record among journalists I've worked with for joyfully and happily going over time on a Zoom call - every time we would chat, we'd immediately shoot the shit for at least 15 minutes about home games or deep cut TTRPG lore, and I would eagerly anticipate seeing his name on the list for a press junket, because I knew there'd be a chunk of time where not only would I be chatting with a great journalist, but I'd also just be sitting across from a pal talking about the hobby we both loved.”

Wieland is survived by wife, Lindsay O’Neill, daughter, Louise, and mother, Nancy. A GoFundMe campaign is collecting donations to assist the family in the wake of their loss.