Louis Zocchi, the man behind the world’s first polyhedral dice, died on April 15, 2026 at 91. After a decade in the U.S. Air Force, he joined Avalon Hill, editing *The General* and play‑testing classics like *Bismarck* and *Stalingrad*. His game‑design catalog spans wargames such as *Luftwaffe* and the RPG *Superhero 2044*. His influence extended beyond design into publishing and distribution.

Zocchi founded Gamescience in 1974, launching the first U.S. polyhedral set that included the 100‑sided Zocchihedron. The company supplied iconic dice to tabletop studios worldwide. In 1986 he entered the Charles Roberts Awards Hall of Fame, cementing his status among wargame pioneers. Later, he sold his distributor to Mike Hurdle, closing in 2001. His legacy lives on in gaming sessions worldwide.

Beyond dice, Zocchi produced the *Star Fleet Battle Manual* and numerous lost RPG modules, shaping early pen‑and‑paper play. His 2022 E. Gary Gygax Lifetime Achievement Award at Gary Con IV highlighted a career that bridged tactical simulation and narrative gaming. Industry veterans remember him as “The Colonel,” a mentor whose craftsmanship set standards still followed today. Their influence persists in tabletop design.