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Remembering Dirk
Remembering Dirk
Dirk Larry Walls passed away at home on August 15, 2025, at the age of 59 after living with ALS.
Dirk was a lifelong gamer, storyteller, roleplayer, reader, animal lover, husband, son, brother, uncle, and friend. Around the table, he was the kind of player every group hopes for: clever, quick-witted, quietly hilarious, and always a few steps ahead. He brought a dry sense of humor, a sharp mind, and a generous spirit to every game he played.
Dirk had a gift for elevating the people around him. Whether he was diving into a new system, exploring a strange world, reading sci-fi and fantasy, or sharing a table with friends, he brought curiosity, intelligence, and heart. He was open to trying new things, willing to follow the story wherever it led, and always made the game better by being part of it.
DirkCon exists to honor that spirit.
This event is about more than rolling dice. It is about friendship, imagination, community, laughter, and remembering someone whose presence made every table brighter.
Memorial Donations
Memorial Donations
In honor of Dirk, we are encouraging donations to the following causes. These reflect Dirk’s love of animals, his memory, and the fight against ALS.
Butte Humane Society
Butte Humane Society
Dirk loved animals, and the Butte Humane Society was named in his obituary as the preferred place for memorial donations in lieu of flowers.
Plant a Tree in Dirk’s Memory
Plant a Tree in Dirk’s Memory
A memorial tree is a lasting tribute: a living reminder of Dirk’s life, his roots, and the stories that continue after us.
ALS Therapy Development Institute
ALS Therapy Development Institute
ALS TDI is a nonprofit biotech focused on ALS research and treatment development, with a patient-centered approach to fighting the disease.
Project ALS
Project ALS
Project ALS supports leading scientists and research institutions working to accelerate treatment discovery, including precision medicine approaches for ALS.
How does an online convention work?
How does an online convention work?
Discord makes the magic happen, as do amazing programs like Foundry VTT, Roll20, and Tabletop Simulator.
We will have online TTRPG events, virtual tabletop for war and board games, chat stream for panels, and online gaming for co-op and tournaments.
Can you believe you can play games, try new games, listen to panels, and attend workshops online for free?
Believe it.
But if you feel like spending money, consider donating to one of the worthy causes listed below.
ALS Awareness & Resources
ALS Awareness & Resources
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative condition that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Over time, ALS causes the motor neurons responsible for voluntary muscle movement to deteriorate and die, leading to muscle weakness, paralysis, and eventually, the inability to speak, eat, move, or breathe. Despite decades of research, there is no known cure, and most individuals with ALS face a life expectancy of 2 to 5 years after diagnosis. While some people experience slower progression, the disease is universally devastating, impacting not just the person diagnosed, but also their family, friends, and caregivers.
Raising awareness and funding for ALS research and treatment is crucial because time is a luxury that people with ALS don’t have. Increased funding drives innovation in treatments, improves access to care and assistive technologies, and fuels the global search for a cure. Awareness helps break the isolation and stigma often experienced by those living with the disease, builds compassion, and inspires advocacy. Every dollar donated and every conversation started brings us one step closer to new treatments, better support systems, and ultimately, hope for a world without ALS.
Excellent Resource Links
Excellent Resource Links
1. The ALS Association
Website: https://www.als.org
Mission: Dedicated to making ALS a livable disease until a cure is found through global research, nationwide advocacy, and comprehensive care and support for individuals with ALS and their families.
2. ALS Worldwide
Website: https://www.alsworldwide.org
Mission: Provides guidance, support, and access to treatments for individuals living with ALS around the world.
3. ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI)
Website: https://www.als.net
Mission: A nonprofit biotech lab dedicated solely to discovering and developing effective treatments for ALS.
4. Target ALS
Website: https://www.targetals.org
Mission: Accelerates ALS research by fostering collaboration between academic labs and pharmaceutical companies to speed up drug development.
5. ALS Hope Foundation
Website: https://www.alshf.org
Mission: Supports care for patients and families with ALS, funds education and advocacy, and backs research toward a cure.
6. Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA)
Website: https://www.mda.org
Mission: Supports people with muscular dystrophy, ALS, and related neuromuscular diseases through research, care services, and advocacy.
7. Motor Neurone Disease Association (UK-based)
Website: https://www.mndassociation.org
Mission: Improves access to care and research for people affected by ALS (MND) in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
8. CDC National ALS Registry
Website: https://www.cdc.gov/als/abouttheregistrymain/partnerorganizations.html
Mission: Connects people with ALS to partner organizations and provides reliable government-backed information and support options.
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