What a wonderful idea. Thanks for this.
He will inspire a notable NPC in my campaign in the same manner as Klaus Deland, "the Heromaker" did (Del Close was my teacher when he passed on the same date, March 4, 1999). Rarely does he appear, but occasionally he'll walk onstage and speak in his gruff voice, telling some long-winded story about some past hero.
My best memory of Gary was Gen Con 1999. He was sitting on a brick bench outside the convention center, casually hanging out with a crowd of wide-eyed young gamers who were awestruck by "the god of D&D's" layed back demeanor. I offered him a cookie.
Thus, I see him appearing that way: an old hero whose fighting days are past but everyone forever stands in awe of his achievements. He's approachable, kindly, and formidable all at once. I think I'm going to start my first 4e campaign with that character. He'll be a linker; because of Gary Gygax, I've met the closest friends I've ever had. He brought people together; that's the kind of character Gary Gygax will inspire in my campaign.