Editing Chris Bunch

{{Crew Data
| image= Chris Bunch.jpg
| role=Story Editor; Writer, "[[The Day They Kidnapped Cleopatra]]"
| series=1980
| dob=December 22, 1943
| nationality= US
| death=July 4, 2005
| imdb= 0120343
}}
'''Christopher R. "Chris" Bunch''' (December 22, 1943&mdash;July 4, 2005) was an American science fiction and fantasy novelist and television screenwriter who served as one of two story editors on ''[[Galactica 1980]]'' with fellow writing partner [[Allan Cole]], and co-wrote its final episode in production, "[[The Day They Kidnapped Cleopatra]]."<ref group="commentary" name="alpha_control_cole_bunch_story_editors">{{cite web|url=https://en.battlestarwiki.org/Sources:Interview_with_Allan_Cole_and_Chris_Bunch#:~:text=two%20of%20three%20story%20editors|title=Interview with Allan Cole and Chris Bunch|work=Galactic Sci-Fi Television Series Revisited|publisher=Alpha Control Press|date=1995|accessdate=16 June 2026}}</ref> An active member of the [[w:Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America|Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America]] at the time of his death, he wrote more than thirty novels across the science fiction and fantasy genres.<ref group="external" name="sfwa_bunch_obit_novels_member">{{cite web|url=https://sfwa.org/2005/07/06/rip-chris-bunch-1943-2005/#:~:text=author%20and%20co-author%20of%20over%2030%20novels|title=RIP: Chris Bunch (1943-2005)|publisher=Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America|date=6 July 2005|accessdate=16 June 2026}}</ref>

== Career ==

Born in [[w:Fresno, California|Fresno, California]], Bunch attended [[w:Mira Costa High School|Mira Costa High School]] in [[w:Manhattan Beach, California|Manhattan Beach]], where he met [[Allan Cole]], his future writing partner and eventual brother-in-law.<ref group="external" name="ebsco_bunch_mira_costa_cole_1960">{{cite web|url=https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/biography/chris-bunch#:~:text=met%20his%20future%20collaborator%20and%20brother-in-law%20Allan%20Cole%20in%201960%20at%20Mira%20Costa%20High%20School%20in%20Manhattan%20Beach|title=Chris Bunch|publisher=EBSCO Research Starters|accessdate=16 June 2026}}</ref> He later studied at [[w:California State University, Los Angeles|California State University, Los Angeles]]<ref group="external" name="latimes_bunch_obit_calstatela">{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/192700950/#:~:text=Born%20in%20Fresno%20and%20educated%20at%20Cal%20State%20L.A.|title=Chris Bunch, 61; Vietnam War Novelist, Science Fiction Writer|work=Los Angeles Times|date=11 July 2005|page=33|via=Newspapers.com|accessdate=16 June 2026}}</ref> before serving in the [[w:United States Army|United States Army]] during the [[w:Vietnam War|Vietnam War]] as a patrol commander, completing two tours of duty that ended in 1966.<ref group="external" name="sfwa_bunch_obit_patrol_commander">{{cite web|url=https://sfwa.org/2005/07/06/rip-chris-bunch-1943-2005/#:~:text=veteran%20of%20Vietnam%20where%20he%20served%20as%20a%20patrol%20commander|title=RIP: Chris Bunch (1943-2005)|publisher=Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America|date=6 July 2005|accessdate=16 June 2026}}</ref><ref group="external" name="sfe_bunch_vietnam_second_tour_1966">{{cite web|url=https://sf-encyclopedia.com/entry/bunch_chris#:~:text=early%20veteran%20of%20Vietnam%20(ending%20his%20second%20tour%20of%20duty%20in%201966)|title=Bunch, Chris|publisher=The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction|date=10 July 2023|accessdate=16 June 2026}}</ref> A contemporary magazine profile additionally described him as having trained in explosives during his service.<ref group="commentary" name="vanhise_sftv5_bunch_explosives_expert_p43">{{cite magazine|title=Galactica scripters Chris Bunch and Allan Cole reveal the practical side of television writing|author=Van Hise, James|magazine=SFTV|issue=5|date=April 1985|page=43}}</ref> After returning from Vietnam, he worked as a correspondent for ''[[w:Stars and Stripes (newspaper)|Stars and Stripes]]'' and contributed to ''[[w:Rolling Stone|Rolling Stone]]'' and other publications, including ''[[w:Popular Science|Popular Science]]''.<ref group="external" name="sfwa_bunch_obit_stripes_rollingstone">{{cite web|url=https://sfwa.org/2005/07/06/rip-chris-bunch-1943-2005/#:~:text=correspondent%20for%20Stars%20%26%20Stripes.%20His%20writing%20jobs%20following%20the%20war%20included%20Rolling%20Stone|title=RIP: Chris Bunch (1943-2005)|publisher=Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America|date=6 July 2005|accessdate=16 June 2026}}</ref><ref group="external" name="latimes_bunch_obit_popular_science">{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/192700950/#:~:text=freelancing%20for%20magazines%20including%20Popular%20Science|title=Chris Bunch, 61; Vietnam War Novelist, Science Fiction Writer|work=Los Angeles Times|date=11 July 2005|page=33|via=Newspapers.com|accessdate=16 June 2026}}</ref>

Bunch and Cole began their television writing partnership in the late 1970s. By 1985, after roughly six years of television work, they had sold 67 scripts together, a figure that eventually exceeded 150 by the time their partnership ended.<ref group="commentary" name="vanhise_sftv5_67scripts_sixyears_p43">{{cite magazine|title=Galactica scripters Chris Bunch and Allan Cole reveal the practical side of television writing|author=Van Hise, James|magazine=SFTV|issue=5|date=April 1985|page=43}}</ref><ref group="external" name="televisionacademy_cole_150_scripts">{{cite web|url=https://www.televisionacademy.com/bios/allan-cole#:~:text=Cole%20and%20Bunch%20collaborated%20on%20over%20150%20television%20scripts|title=Allan Cole|publisher=Television Academy|accessdate=16 June 2026}}</ref> Their early credits under [[Glen Larson|Glen A. Larson's]] executive production included ''[[buckwiki:Buck Rogers in the 25th Century|Buck Rogers in the 25th Century]]'' (two episodes in 1980)<ref group="external" name="imdb_buckrogers_fullcredits_bunch_2eps">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078579/fullcredits/#:~:text=Chris%20Bunch%20%C2%B7%20written%20by%20%C2%B7%202%20episodes%20%E2%80%A2%201980|title=Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (TV Series 1979–1981) – Full cast & crew|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=16 June 2026}}</ref> and ''[[w:The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo|The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo]]'', for which they co-wrote the series pilot with Larson.<ref group="external" name="imdb_lobo_pilot_bunch_cole_larson">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0649066/#:~:text=Glen%20A.%20Larson%20%C2%B7%20Chris%20Bunch%20%C2%B7%20Allan%20Cole|title=The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo: The Day That Shark Ate Lobo (TV Episode 1979)|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=16 June 2026}}</ref> Their broader television credits as a team included ''[[w:The Incredible Hulk (TV series)|The Incredible Hulk]]'', ''[[w:Quincy, M.E.|Quincy, M.E.]]'', ''[[w:Magnum, P.I.|Magnum, P.I.]]'', ''[[w:B.J. and the Bear|B.J. and the Bear]]'', ''[[w:The Rockford Files|The Rockford Files]]'', ''[[w:Hunter (TV series)|Hunter]]'', ''[[w:The A-Team|The A-Team]]'', ''[[w:The Smurfs|The Smurfs]]'', and ''[[w:Walker, Texas Ranger|Walker, Texas Ranger]]''.<ref group="external" name="televisionacademy_cole_credits_full_list">{{cite web|url=https://www.televisionacademy.com/bios/allan-cole#:~:text=B.J.%20and%20the%20Bear%2C%20The%20Incredible%20Hulk%2C%20Magnum%2C%20P.I.%2C%20Quincy%20M.E.%2C%20The%20A-Team%2C%20Hunter%2C%20The%20Smurfs%2C%20and%20Walker%2C%20Texas%20Ranger|title=Allan Cole|publisher=Television Academy|accessdate=16 June 2026}}</ref> The ''A-Team'' episode "Pure-Dee Poison" (season 2, January 31, 1984) was written by Bunch and Cole.<ref group="external" name="imdb_ateam_puredeepoison_bunch_cole_writers">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0504190/#:~:text=Chris%20Bunch%20%C2%B7%20Allan%20Cole%20%C2%B7%20Tom%20Szollosi|title=The A-Team: Pure-Dee Poison (TV Episode 1984)|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=16 June 2026}}</ref> The two also served as story editors on the television series ''[[w:Werewolf (TV series)|Werewolf]]''.<ref group="external" name="barnesnoble_werewolf_cole_bunch_story_editors">{{cite web|url=https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/werewolf-allan-cole/1113655935#:~:text=Werewolf%20where%20they%20were%20story%20editors%20on%20the%20TV%20series|title=Werewolf: The Black Ship|publisher=Barnes & Noble|accessdate=16 June 2026}}</ref> As their television careers were winding down, the two also contributed to the 1985 NBC drama ''[[w:Hell Town (TV series)|Hell Town]]'', including its second episode, "The People vs. Willy the Goat."<ref group="commentary" name="vanhise_sftv5_hell_town_next_project_p43">{{cite magazine|title=Galactica scripters Chris Bunch and Allan Cole reveal the practical side of television writing|author=Van Hise, James|magazine=SFTV|issue=5|date=April 1985|page=43}}</ref><ref group="external" name="ctva_helltown_willy_goat_writers">{{cite web|url=http://ctva.biz/US/Crime/HellTown.htm#:~:text=Participating%20writers%3A%20Allen%20Cole%2C%20Chris%20Bunch|title=Hell Town (1985) starring Robert Blake|publisher=CTVA US Crime|accessdate=16 June 2026}}</ref>

=== ''Galactica 1980'' ===

Neither Bunch nor Cole had prior involvement with the original ''[[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|Battlestar Galactica]]'' series.<ref group="commentary" name="vanhise_sftv5_no_involvement_original_series_p43">{{cite magazine|title=Galactica scripters Chris Bunch and Allan Cole reveal the practical side of television writing|author=Van Hise, James|magazine=SFTV|issue=5|date=April 1985|page=43}}</ref> Cole and Bunch's involvement with ''[[Galactica 1980]]'' began when they sold a freelance script, "[[Earthquake]]," to producer [[Jeff Freilich]] shortly after the pilot was produced. A Universal Television executive subsequently pressured them into accepting positions as two of three story editors on the series, threatening to blacklist them from future Universal projects if they refused.<ref group="commentary" name="alpha_control_bunch_cole_blackmailed_thompson">{{cite web|url=https://en.battlestarwiki.org/Sources:Interview_with_Allan_Cole_and_Chris_Bunch#:~:text=blackmailed%20by%20Peter%20Thompson%2C%20the%20honcho%20at%20Universal%20into%20becoming%20story%20editors%20on%20the%20show|title=Interview with Allan Cole and Chris Bunch|work=Galactic Sci-Fi Television Series Revisited|publisher=Alpha Control Press|date=1995|accessdate=16 June 2026}}</ref> Their agent negotiated an initial ten-week contract paying $3,000 per week, with studio options to extend the arrangement for a year and then for three years.<ref group="commentary" name="vanhise_sftv5_contract_terms_p46">{{cite magazine|title=Galactica scripters Chris Bunch and Allan Cole reveal the practical side of television writing|author=Van Hise, James|magazine=SFTV|issue=5|date=April 1985|page=46}}</ref>

In practice, the role carried almost no creative authority. Series creator Glen Larson wrote nearly every produced episode himself from his homes in Hawaii and Malibu, the sole exception being  [[Robert L. McCullough]]'s "[[Harvest Home]]," later retitled "[[Space Croppers]]," was the only one Bunch and Cole were not asked to police for studio-mandated content.<ref group="commentary" name="vanhise_sftv6_larson_wrote_all_but_one_p26">{{cite magazine|title=The story editors for Galactica 1980 describe the death rattle of the series|author=Van Hise, James|magazine=SFTV|issue=6|date=June 1985|page=26}}</ref><ref group="commentary" name="paxton_bzone_bunch_larson_hawaii_malibu">{{cite web|url=https://www.geocities.ws/sjpaxton/bunch.html#:~:text=Glen%20Larson%20wrote%20every%20single%20episode%20either%20from%20his%20place%20in%20Hawaii%20or%20from%20his%20place%20in%20Malibu|title=Battlestar Zone Interview: Chris Bunch|author=Paxton, Susan J.|publisher=Battlestar Zone|accessdate=16 June 2026}}</ref> Their principal assigned task was inserting the mandatory "educational beats" that ABC's Broadcast Standards & Practices department, overseen by [[Susan Futterman]], required for the Sunday 7 p.m. timeslot.<ref group="commentary" name="alpha_control_bunch_cole_educational_beats_task">{{cite web|url=https://en.battlestarwiki.org/Sources:Interview_with_Allan_Cole_and_Chris_Bunch#:~:text=given%20the%20job%20of%20putting%20in%20the%20educational%20beats%20in%20each%20script|title=Interview with Allan Cole and Chris Bunch|work=Galactic Sci-Fi Television Series Revisited|publisher=Alpha Control Press|date=1995|accessdate=16 June 2026}}</ref> Specific disputes with the censor included a line about an "internal combustion engine" she deemed insufficiently substantiated, a comic line using the word "[[Arnie's meatballs|meatball]]" that she suspected of being indecent, and a sequence in which child characters examined a security guard's holstered handgun, which she ordered cut on the stated grounds that a child fascinated by a firearm would grow up to use one.<ref group="commentary" name="vanhise_sftv5_censor_meatball_p46">{{cite magazine|title=Galactica scripters Chris Bunch and Allan Cole reveal the practical side of television writing|author=Van Hise, James|magazine=SFTV|issue=5|date=April 1985|page=46}}</ref><ref group="commentary" name="vanhise_sftv6_gun_censorship_p29">{{cite magazine|title=The story editors for Galactica 1980 describe the death rattle of the series|author=Van Hise, James|magazine=SFTV|issue=6|date=June 1985|page=29}}</ref> Despite working for Larson throughout the production, Bunch and Cole said they never met him in person.<ref group="commentary" name="paxton_bzone_bunch_never_met_larson">{{cite web|url=https://www.geocities.ws/sjpaxton/bunch.html#:~:text=worked%20for%20him%20for%20twenty%20weeks%2C%20and%20to%20this%20day%20HAVE%20NEVER%20MET%20HIM|title=Battlestar Zone Interview: Chris Bunch|author=Paxton, Susan J.|publisher=Battlestar Zone|accessdate=16 June 2026}}</ref><ref group="footnotes" name="footnote_duration_discrepancy">The total length of Bunch and Cole's engagement on ''Galactica 1980'' is reported inconsistently across sources. Both the Alpha Control Press interview and a 1985 ''SFTV'' interview describe a ten-week initial contract negotiated by their agent. However, Bunch told interviewer Susan J. Paxton in a separate account that the two worked for Larson for twenty weeks. The discrepancy is unresolved; it may reflect additional time worked under the studio's contractual options.</ref> The studio's per-episode license fee from ABC was approximately $800,000, with Universal Television absorbing further costs as overruns.<ref group="commentary" name="vanhise_sftv6_budget_license_fee_p28">{{cite magazine|title=The story editors for Galactica 1980 describe the death rattle of the series|author=Van Hise, James|magazine=SFTV|issue=6|date=June 1985|page=28}}</ref>

Before being hired as story editors, Bunch and Cole had already written a first-draft script titled "Earthquake" built around the recurring villain [[Xaviar|Xavier]] using artificially triggered tectonic activity; the character was written out of the series before the draft was filmed, and the broadcast episode was substantially rewritten without him.<ref group="commentary" name="vanhise_sftv6_unproduced_scripts_p30">{{cite magazine|title=The story editors for Galactica 1980 describe the death rattle of the series|author=Van Hise, James|magazine=SFTV|issue=6|date=June 1985|page=30}}</ref> Other material that went unproduced included "[[The Money Machine]]," a comedic script by [[Alan S. Godfrey]].<ref group="commentary" name="vanhise_sftv6_money_machine_p30">{{cite magazine|title=The story editors for Galactica 1980 describe the death rattle of the series|author=Van Hise, James|magazine=SFTV|issue=6|date=June 1985|page=30}}</ref> During production of "[[The Super Scouts, Part I]]," director [[Vince Edwards]], best known for starring in ''[[w:Ben Casey|Ben Casey]]'', staged a fire-and-explosion sequence in which a falling I-beam narrowly missed him on camera after a stunt cue was delayed.<ref group="commentary" name="vanhise_sftv6_vince_edwards_schoolship_p27">{{cite magazine|title=The story editors for Galactica 1980 describe the death rattle of the series|author=Van Hise, James|magazine=SFTV|issue=6|date=June 1985|page=27}}</ref>

"[[The Day They Kidnapped Cleopatra]]" centered on Xavier abducting [[w:Cleopatra|Cleopatra]] and bringing her to the present day. Bunch and Cole said they wrote around the resulting time-paradox problem, since Cleopatra's exposure to her own recorded fate was difficult to address within the family-hour format, and that the finished script was credited primarily to [[Anne Collins]] because a heavily revised draft had been built on top of her version.<ref group="commentary" name="vanhise_sftv6_cleopatra_plot_anne_collins_p29">{{cite magazine|title=The story editors for Galactica 1980 describe the death rattle of the series|author=Van Hise, James|magazine=SFTV|issue=6|date=June 1985|page=29}}</ref> Lead actors [[Kent McCord]] and [[Barry Van Dyke]] had indicated they would refuse to report for the episode's filming after being told they were not needed for "[[The Return of Starbuck]]"; the dispute became moot that same afternoon when ABC cancelled the series during production of "Cleopatra," the eleventh episode, prompting an impromptu wrap gathering on the set.<ref group="commentary" name="vanhise_sftv6_mccord_vandyke_refusal_p31">{{cite magazine|title=The story editors for Galactica 1980 describe the death rattle of the series|author=Van Hise, James|magazine=SFTV|issue=6|date=June 1985|page=31}}</ref><ref group="commentary" name="alpha_control_bunch_cancellation_cleopatra_wrap">{{cite web|url=https://en.battlestarwiki.org/Sources:Interview_with_Allan_Cole_and_Chris_Bunch#:~:text=They%20started%20shooting%20The%20Day%20They%20Kidnapped%20Cleopatra%20and%20then%20the%20word%20came%20down%20that%20the%20show%20was%20cancelled|title=Interview with Allan Cole and Chris Bunch|work=Galactic Sci-Fi Television Series Revisited|publisher=Alpha Control Press|date=1995|accessdate=16 June 2026}}</ref>

=== Novels ===

Bunch and Cole co-authored eight novels in the military science fiction ''[[w:Sten_(book)|Sten]]'' series between 1982 and 1993, along with the Anteros fantasy series.<ref group="external" name="sfe_bunch_sten_anteros_cole_collab">{{cite web|url=https://sf-encyclopedia.com/entry/bunch_chris#:~:text=Sten%20sequence%20of%20Military%20SF%20adventures%20beginning%20with%20Sten%20(1982)%20and%20ending%20with%20Empire%27s%20End%20(1993)%2C%20and%20the%20Anteros%20fantasy%20sequence|title=Bunch, Chris|publisher=The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction|date=10 July 2023|accessdate=16 June 2026}}</ref> Their 1987 Vietnam War novel ''A Reckoning for Kings'', about the [[w:Tet Offensive|Tet Offensive of 1968]], received a [[w:Pulitzer_Prize|Pulitzer Prize]] nomination.<ref group="external" name="chinookobserver_wold_pulitzer_1987">{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/1237968294/#:~:text=one%20nominated%20for%20the%20Pulitzer%20Prize%20in%201987|title=Book review: 'The Warrior's Tale'|author=Wold, Amy|work=Chinook Observer|date=18 October 1994|page=20|via=Newspapers.com|accessdate=16 June 2026}}</ref><ref group="external" name="latimes_bunch_obit_reckoning_for_kings">{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/192700950/#:~:text=well-received%201987%20novel%20%22A%20Reckoning%20for%20Kings%22%2C%20about%20the%20Tet%20Offensive%20of%201968|title=Chris Bunch, 61; Vietnam War Novelist, Science Fiction Writer|work=Los Angeles Times|date=11 July 2005|page=33|via=Newspapers.com|accessdate=16 June 2026}}</ref> By the mid-1980s the pair had already resolved to wind down their television careers in favor of novel-writing, citing the more direct creative control fiction afforded compared to working within a network's editorial structure.<ref group="commentary" name="vanhise_sftv6_leaving_tv_for_novels_p32">{{cite magazine|title=The story editors for Galactica 1980 describe the death rattle of the series|author=Van Hise, James|magazine=SFTV|issue=6|date=June 1985|page=32}}</ref> Their professional partnership ultimately ended in 1995, after which Bunch continued writing fiction as his primary occupation, following an approximately twenty-year television career.<ref group="external" name="sfe_bunch_cole_split_1995">{{cite web|url=https://sf-encyclopedia.com/entry/bunch_chris#:~:text=full%20partners%20(writing%20at%20least%20100%20television%20scripts%20together)%20until%20their%20acrimonious%20split%20in%201995|title=Bunch, Chris|publisher=The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction|date=10 July 2023|accessdate=16 June 2026}}</ref><ref group="external" name="penguinrandomhouse_bunch_20yr_tv_career">{{cite web|url=https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/3734/chris-bunch/#:~:text=full-time%20novelist%20following%20his%2020-year%20career%20as%20a%20television%20writer|title=Chris Bunch|publisher=Penguin Random House|accessdate=16 June 2026}}</ref> His solo fiction includes the ''Shadow Warrior'' space opera trilogy (1996–1997), the Seer King fantasy trilogy (1997–1999), the Last Legion military science fiction series (1999–2001), the ''Star Risk'' mercenary series (2002–2005), and the ''Dragonmaster'' trilogy (2002–2004).<ref group="external" name="sfe_bunch_solo_series_star_risk">{{cite web|url=https://sf-encyclopedia.com/entry/bunch_chris#:~:text=Star%20Risk%20sequence%20%E2%80%93%20comprising%20Star%20Risk%2C%20Ltd%20(2002)%2C%20The%20Scoundrel%20Worlds%20(2003)%2C%20The%20Doublecross%20Program%20(2004)%20and%20The%20Dog%20From%20Hell%20(2005)|title=Bunch, Chris|publisher=The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction|date=10 July 2023|accessdate=16 June 2026}}</ref>

== Personal life ==

Bunch's sister Kathryn married [[Allan Cole]], making the two men brothers-in-law throughout their working partnership.<ref group="external" name="ebsco_bunch_cole_brothersinlaw">{{cite web|url=https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/biography/chris-bunch#:~:text=collaboration%20with%20his%20brother-in-law%20Allan%20Cole|title=Chris Bunch|publisher=EBSCO Research Starters|accessdate=16 June 2026}}</ref> Around 1993, Bunch and Cole relocated to the Long Beach Peninsula on the Washington coast, with Bunch settling in Chinook.<ref group="external" name="longview_bunch_moved_chinook_1993">{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/575902572/#:~:text=Bunch%20moved%20to%20Chinook%20in%201993|title=Murder suspect is author of sci-fi books|work=Longview Daily News|date=18 June 1996|page=3|via=Newspapers.com|accessdate=16 June 2026}}</ref><ref group="external" name="chinookobserver_wold_peninsula_moved">{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/1237968294/#:~:text=They%20moved%20to%20the%20Peninsula%20about%20a%20year%20ago%20to%20focus%20on%20writing%20novels|title=Book review: 'The Warrior's Tale'|author=Wold, Amy|work=Chinook Observer|date=18 October 1994|page=20|via=Newspapers.com|accessdate=16 June 2026}}</ref>

In June 1996, Bunch was arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of Michael G. Mauch, 26, a neighbor at an RV park in Chinook where Bunch resided at the time.<ref group="external" name="longview_bunch_arrest_june17_1996">{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/longview-daily-news-chris-bunch-arrest/199746965/#:~:text=Christopher%20R.%20Bunch%2C%2052%2C%20is%20accused%20of%20shooting%20Michael%20G.%20Mauch%2C%2026|title=Man arrested after 26-year-old shot to death in Chinook|work=Longview Daily News|date=17 June 1996|page=9|via=Newspapers.com|accessdate=16 June 2026}}</ref> Bunch maintained throughout the proceedings that he fired in self-defense after Mauch threatened and charged him.<ref group="external" name="chinookobserver_kennet_bunch_selfdefense_testimony">{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/1237684289/#:~:text=Bunch%20said%20the%20confrontation%20started%20over%20a%20pit%20bulldog%20chasing%20his%20cats|title=Chinook shooting ruled justifiable homicide|author=Kennet, Andrea|work=Chinook Observer|date=20 August 1996|page=13|via=Newspapers.com|accessdate=16 June 2026}}</ref> A Pacific County coroner's inquest convened in August 1996 and returned a verdict of justifiable homicide, with no charges  filed.<ref group="external" name="chinookobserver_kennet_justifiable_homicide_verdict">{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/1237684133/#:~:text=Chinook%20shooting%20ruled%20justifiable%20homicide|title=Chinook shooting ruled justifiable homicide|author=Kennet, Andrea|work=Chinook Observer|date=20 August 1996|page=1|via=Newspapers.com|accessdate=16 June 2026}}</ref>

He subsequently settled in [[w:Ilwaco, Washington|Ilwaco, Washington]], where he died on July 4, 2005, following a prolonged lung ailment.<ref group="external" name="sfwa_bunch_obit_death_ilwaco">{{cite web|url=https://sfwa.org/2005/07/06/rip-chris-bunch-1943-2005/#:~:text=Christopher%20R.%20Bunch%2C%20passed%20away%20on%20Monday%2C%20July%204%2C%202005%20following%20extended%20illness|title=RIP: Chris Bunch (1943-2005)|publisher=Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America|date=6 July 2005|accessdate=16 June 2026}}</ref><ref group="external" name="latimes_bunch_obit_ilwaco_lung">{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/192700950/#:~:text=died%20July%204%20in%20Ilwaco%2C%20Wash.%2C%20of%20a%20lung%20ailment|title=Chris Bunch, 61; Vietnam War Novelist, Science Fiction Writer|work=Los Angeles Times|date=11 July 2005|page=33|via=Newspapers.com|accessdate=16 June 2026}}</ref>

== Writer credits for ''Galactica 1980'' ==

* "[[The Day They Kidnapped Cleopatra]]," with [[Mark Jones]], [[Anne Collins]] and [[Allan Cole|Alan Cole]]

== Notes ==
{{reflist|group=footnotes}}

== References ==

=== Commentary and Interviews ===
{{reflist|group=commentary}}

=== External Sources ===
{{reflist|group=external}}

== External links ==
{{ext-buckwiki}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bunch, Chris}}

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Behind the Scenes]]
[[Category:Crew]]
[[Category:Writers]]
[[Category:1980]]