- From: David Booth <david@dbooth.org>
- Date: Fri, 8 Sep 2023 18:24:00 -0400
- To: Sarven Capadisli <info@csarven.ca>, "public-solid@w3.org" <public-solid@w3.org>, "public-webid@w3.org" <public-webid@w3.org>, W3C Semantic Web <semantic-web@w3.org>
Such a sad shock. Although TimBL's invention of the web attracted its share of spammers and get-rich-quick opportunists, it also attracted a surprising number of brilliant minds with very strong idealism, who worked tirelessly to help the web make a better world for all. Henry was an exceptional embodiment of the latter. He brought many important insights to the web's technical community, with a wonderfully kind and open-minded demeanor that invited thoughtful collaboration. His passing is a loss to us all. Through saddened eyes, David Booth On 9/8/23 08:51, Sarven Capadisli wrote: > It is with great sadness that I must inform everyone that we have lost > our dear friend and colleague Henry Story ( > https://bblfish.net/people/henry/card#me ) earlier this week. > > This is incredibly hard for me to write. I am deeply saddened by his > friends' and family's loss, as well as personally, and for several > communities he has been part of for so many years. My deepest > condolences, and those of members of the community who knew him and > admired him, go out to his family. > > If memory serves me well, Henry and I were acquainted in 2008, but met > online in 2010, when we discussed FOAF+SSL / WebID, social web, > decentralisation, and everything in between. And, of course, with Henry, > if one is willing, there is always a healthy dose of discussion on > philosophical and mathematical underpinnings of a lot of such topics, > and how it all came together. > > Over the years, Henry provided me with all the context to undoubtedly > interconnected ideas in technology and philosophy I ever needed. > > I had the privilege of having him visit my place in Bern. He was kind > enough to eat my overly spicy food and drink wine to compensate the > taste. It was a joy to talk about life stuff and tech in my balcony. > > Henry has impacted and influenced me in different ways over the years. > His perseverance to get to the bottom of a problem is unmatched. > > Whenever I felt frustrated in open standards development, Henry reminded > that standards are like wine: some will age well, and others spoil. He > encouraged me to be patient, assuring me that things will work out in > due time. > > He took the time to research and develop, and meet open challenges by > approaching from multiple disciplines to solidify the ideas is > inspiring, and has been instrumental, to say the least, for the > communities he has been part of. One doesn't have to look far to come > across Henry's footprints. Quite literally the father of many works and > projects. > > From my perspective, he generally came across like the underdog in > whatever he was doing. Humble and aiming for the stars. He took time to > carefully listen what others had to say and was generous with his > knowledge and time, and kind. > > Henry, I admire you immensely. Words will never suffice. > > I'd like to invite everyone to reflect and honour his memory. Carry on > with his work. A moment of silence will be observed at W3C TPAC to > remember Henry and his impact on our community. > > -Sarven > https://csarven.ca/#i >
Received on Friday, 8 September 2023 22:24:09 UTC