Though I have never met him before, I feel as if I do indeed know Gary Gygax, and deeply mourn his passing. It was Gary's D&D that got me into Role-playing as a kid, and it was partly his willingness to answer an email from a California college student with a dream that enabled me to take the initiative to begin publishing Role-Playing Games myself. Were it not for his advice & example, Basic Action Games may never have existed.
His passing touches us all, and I think also links us together-- whether we are Grognards, Indy Gamers, 4e enthusiasts-- we have all experienced a great loss. Gary, you will be missed, by all of us.