Greg Novak 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.
Background
Born on September 4, 1950 in Chicago, 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.
Career
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. Greg Novak was a key figure in the wargaming hobby, leaving a lasting and internationally recognized 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 Paul Richard 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 United States. Army & the "Indian Wars" 1850-1890, 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 - Volume(s).1: A Volley & Bayonet Supplement for the Spanish-American War, GDW 1999 (with Frank Chadwick). The Rough Riders - Volume(s).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)-.
Membership
He was active in the Champaign Teachers Federation, serving as a building steward, member of the collective bargaining unit, vice president and president