The most recent May update for Team Fortress 2 has added a tribute to the late voice actor for the Soldier. Rick May was born on September 21, 1940, providing many voices and roles for live action & voice work alike. In addition, he was an educator for Seattle Rekindle School for acting. Sadly, Rick May passed on April 14th, 2020 at the age of 79, after battling a stroke and COVID-19.
When launched, the main menu contains the Soldier idle pose, along with a rendition of âTapsâ, a United States military bugle call. Additionally, prominent maps have been edited to add a bronze statue of the Soldier to memorialize Rick May, complete with a monument that reads the following Soldier quote:
âThat was a hell of a campaign, son!âÂ
Additionally, Robin Atkin Downes has uploaded a video per request of his fans to voice act as his roles Kaz from the Metal Gear series, as well as Medic from TF2.Â
In said video, Kaz explains to Snake through a transmission that in such uncertain times, he hopes Snake is doing well, and also says heâs found a video from a Medic teaching how to wash hands properly during the COVID-19 epidemic, which heâll upload for Snake.
This video of Medic is indeed of Medic teaching everyone haphazardly (in true loss of medical license fashion) how to wash your hands in a comedy skit. Included amidst this is a brief but in-character tribute to Rick May in the form of a portrait of Soldier that Medic notices and pays brief but solemn respects to, before continuing his lesson enthusiastically:
âOh, Soldier…you will be missed. May peace be with you and your family, mein freund.â
For the full Team Fortress 2 update patch notes, look on the official website here: http://www.teamfortress.com/post.php?id=61036
You can read more on Rick May from Rekindle Schoolâs memorium here: https://www.classesandworkshops.com/in-memory-of-rick-may/