Hardly any game had such a cultural influence on modern culture than Dungeons & Dragons. It was the very basis of the Nerd culture of the 1980’s - and still is in the heads of many great makers of software, computers, gadgets and other important technology.

Gary Gygax -God of the Game Masters, Inventor of D&D in 1974 and overall storyteller - just passed away.

Since I grew up playing D&D - and then producing a role playing fanzine (on paper) I owe him a lot of inspiration, because it was that very hobby that got me into writing and publishing - and later into computer. Not to play, but to write about Role Playing Games.

More? a nice interview and some video over at BoingBoing and the ultimate Nerd discussion about his death and his influence on Slashdot.