Gary Gygax has passed away

I just received an email from my friend Peter with some sad news:

It is with great sadness that I have to tell you that Gary Gygax has passed away. He meant a lot to me, even if I sometimes joked like Gary was some crusty old guy from a previous generation. The truth is, he was one of a kind. He created something that I have always loved, and I will miss him.

http://www.freeyabb.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=4373&highlight=gygax&mforum=trolllordgames

It would be hard to quantify the contribution Gary Gygax has made to my life, and to the lives of countless other people like me. So much of the gaming culture I consider myself a part of has been influenced by him, directly or otherwise. So much of my childhood and teenage years was spent playing games based upon his work, games that I continue to play today with friends old and new.

Your presence will be missed, Gary. My deepest condolences go out to his family and friends.

Update: Here are some of the wonderful tributes I have seen across the web today:

• Order of the Stick: A Brief Tribute
• WWdN: across the sea, a pale moon rises
• Penny Arcade: Bordering On The Semi-Tasteful
• DnD kitteh morns loss of Gary Gygax