Peter Mayhew has remembered: The legend of Star Wars and the nice giant that I knew

When I was a young geek and grew up in the Midwest in the '70s and' 80s, Chewbacca defined my childhood. I loved Chewie to be his faithful sidekick and his best friend for the devious Han Solo. He was the only Star Wars character to be able to control Han.

But Chewbacca also felt like a person with whom I could hang out in real life. Or could have if I lived on Kashyyyk's Wookiee planet rather than Kansas.

I liked Chewbacca so much that his original Kenner figurine – that I found child by accident on a dirt road near my home – is sitting proudly on my desk. Sometimes I even wear the toy with me as a lucky charm.

So when I heard that Peter Mayhew, actor from Chewbacca, has passed away On Thursday, at the age of 74, I felt like a member of my beloved family left my orbit.

Child, I've always associated Mayhew with Chewbacca. But, at adulthood, I had the chance to know him as a man at the same time kind, generous and funny.

When I worked at Lucasfilm As editor of the StarWars.com website, I always felt honored when my path crossed his. Whenever he went to Lucasfilm headquarters for a special event or where he was attending one of the many cartoon conventions I attended, Mayhew was always happy to greet and make me one of his famous Wookiee cuddles.

I do not know how he did it, given the thousands of people he's met over the years, but he's always remembered my name.

Peter's impressive stature, 7.1 meters (2 feet) high, made him look intimidating at first. But his gentle and kind behavior made me feel instantly at ease.

One of my dearest memories is the first signature of my Star Wars Craft Book at San Diego Comic Con. I was so nervous about meeting fans as an author. Peter stopped to say hello and pose for a photo holding my sock doll Chewbacca. His visit to my signature gave me the confidence I needed to chat with other fans who wanted my signature.

But it was Peter Mayhew in a few words. He wandered around conventions and greeted artists, comic book creators, cosplayers and other Star Wars fans, making them all feel like rock stars. Mayhew was delighted to see his fans dress up in Chewbacca cosplay. He loved it when a young fan greeted him with a Wookiee roar. And he never rushed into a conversation.

Peter made you feel special every time he chatted with you. At his own autograph table, he took his time to talk to fans who were lining up to say hello. Whenever I worked in the Lucasfilm area during the conventions, I apologized for being close to him when he was talking in depth with his fans.

It was fun to see how much fun it was for fans to share his personal stories to act alongside Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher in the original version Star Wars Movies. Peter gave the fans something very special about each interaction.

Hamill summed up the situation by describing Mayhew's loving personality.

"He was the nicest of giants," Hamill tweeted Thursday. The man who played Luke Skywalker described Mayhew as "a big man with an even bigger heart who never failed to make me smile, and a faithful friend whom I loved very much."

Peter will be missed by millions of fans, his teammates and everyone who had the chance to chat with him and get a wookiee hug.

Originally released at 14:39.