Author Joe L. Hensley, who was also wrote as Louis J.A. Adams, died of leukemia on 27 August 2007. Born Joseph Louis Hensley on 19 March 1926, he was a lawyer, legislator, and judge in Indiana.
He wrote the “Donald Robak” series, and most of his writing consisted of legal thrillers and suspense novels (about 20 books, and nearly 100 short stories in Alfred Hitchcock’s and Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine). He also wrote some shorter sf, including: “And Not Quite Human” (published in Beyond Fantasy Fiction, September 1953), “The Pair” (Fantastic Universe, July 1958), “Harpist” (Speculations, 1982), “Savant” (F&SF, December 1985), and “Alvin’s Witch” (F&SF, September 1991). In addition, he co-authored “Visionary” with Harlan Ellison (Amazing, May 1959) and “Dark Conception” with Alexei Panshin (F&SF, November 1964). Most of these short stories have been anthologized.
He served in the Navy during World War II, rising to the rank of Pharmacist Mate 3rd Class. He also served in the Navy during the Korean War, this time achieving the rank of Journalist 3rd Class. In 1950, he graduated from Indiana University, and received his LLB from Indiana University School of Law in 1955. He served one term in the Indiana General Assembly (1961-62), and then was elected prosecuting attorney for Jefferson & Switzerland Counties (1963-66). He was elected a Judge of the Fifth Judicial Circuit for two terms (1977-88).
Hensley was a member of First Fandom, the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, the Mystery Writers of America, and the Private Eye Writers of America.
He is survived by his brother, sister, son, and grandson. His wife, Charlotte, whom he married in 1950, died in 2000.