I'm a little late in posting this but I only just heard that Gary Gygax passed away on March 5th.
He was the co-creator of Dungeons and Dragons for those who don't know.
As a result he influenced my life in ways I cant even begin to measure. No doubt there are plenty of other nerds (and others) who are the same. I can't imagine what I would have done without D&D in my younger days, pass better grades probably.
On a larger scale the influence of Dungeons and Dragons on todays Video Game and Fantasy literature is enormous. Games like World of Warcraft, Diablo, Baldur's Gate certainly wouldn't exist, nor would Magic The Gathering.
If Tolkien was the Elvis of fantasy the boys behind D&D were probably The Beatles.

I heard about this, and I have only just gotten into D&D (and mum wont let me do it except in holidays) it doesn't affect me as it has affected some.
Very sad news though.