http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/03/04/obit.gygax.ap/index.html
Not just a legend for creating D&D, but also for influencing movies, and computer games. In many ways, he created the modern roleplaying game and had a huge influence on fantasy.
I'd never heard of him until he did a guest spot on Futurama. And I realised that somebody had to have invented the game.
Still, it's a shame he's now passed. I'm sure he's rolling dice up in heaven.
:bluesad: Sad news. GARY GYGAX is a legend; people will be playing his game for a long time to come. Good night, GARY.
He finally lost the big Saving throw, huh? Too bad I had plenty of fun playing his games. Drank my first beer roleplaying a dwarven fighter/cleric. Oh well, now he's behind the big Dm screen in the sky. Say what you want about D&D nerds, Gygax maked the world a little better place.