I am saddened to learn of Vernor Vinge's passing. I love everything I read by him, which was most of his fiction.
I had the rare luck to be on a panel with him at Penguicon some years back. It was only the two of us and he was an amazing copanelist. Thoroughly approachable and kind despite my tongue tied awe. The peak of an amazing trip that I also got to spend with a couple of very good friends.
