Dennis Ritchie has Passed away

[RSX11M+]

I guess I haven't been watching the news the last couple days.

We've lost another Giant, Dennis Ritchie.

I don't think I need explain why he would be commemorated here on the DEC groups.

Suffice it to say - Rest in peace Dennis.

 

[Ole Juul]

It's amazing how this didn't generate more news than it did. Actually I know why, but it's a sad reflection of our society's lack of interest in computers.

Duplicate thread: "Dennis Ritchie passed away" http://www.vintage-computer.com/vcforum/showthread.php?27653-Dennis-Ritchie-passed-away

 

[RSX11M+]

I guess Steve Jobs was a cultural ICON, and thus got more notice.

Apparently, there isn't a consciousness in the media of the more fundamental basis which lead to what we have today . Dennis was an important participant, a direct progenitor of the whole world that would follow. His programming ethic, succinct "elegant" style and simplicity, has been noted by more than one colleague.

I thought it was worth noting here, because his original work on 'C' and UNIX were done on, and for PDP-11s, although I was unaware of the other thread.

Recent events like these make one aware of their own mortality. Dennis grew up in the town next to mine. I never heard that at the time, but of course knew of him through contacts at Bell Labs.

It's odd now, to reflect on how our paths might have crossed. It is indeed, a small world. It gets even smaller when we lose people like Dennis.