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Dennis Ritchie Obituary
Ritchie created the popular C programming language and helped create the Unix operating software. He died a month after his birthday, according to his biography on a webpage of Alcatel-Lucent's Bell Labs. Ritchie joined Bell Labs in the late 1960s.
The company confirmed his death to The Associated Press but would not disclose the cause of death or when Ritchie died. A spokeswoman said the company was trying to contact his family.
Ritchie is best known for his contributions to computer programming and software. The C programming language, which Ritchie developed in the early 1970's, is still popular. It has gone through a number of upgrades, and it is commonly used for website development and other computer tasks. The Unix operating software also surged in popularity. It and its offshoots, including the open-source Linux, are widely used today, in corporate servers and even cellphones.
Ritchie's biography on the Bell Labs site says that he was born on Sept. 9, 1941 in Bronxville, N.Y., and studied physics and math at Harvard University.
"My undergraduate experience convinced me that I was not smart enough to be a physicist, and that computers were quite neat," Ritchie wrote. "My graduate school experience convinced me that I was not smart enough to be an expert in the theory of algorithms and also that I liked procedural languages better than functional ones."
Jeong Kim, president of Bell Labs, wrote in a blog post Thursday that Ritchie was "truly an inspiration to all of us, not just for his many accomplishments, but because of who he was as a friend, an inventor, and a humble and gracious man."
Copyright © 2011 The Associated Press
42 Entries
skrp freenode#freebsd
May 1, 2016
I am nothing but a lowly punk hacker
Looking for the fantastical themes
Find'n it in the world
Which was the product of your life's work
I don't have a god
But you are one I worship
With gratitude
-pedrk.com
M Gill
March 23, 2014
To Dennis,
You will always be an inspiration to me. Thank you for your immense contributions to computer science, and in particular, to software.
You were a true credit to the human race. One of life's very rare gems.
My sincerest condolences to your loved ones and to your friends and colleagues.
Dellroy GM
March 8, 2014
Thank you, Mr. Ritchie, for all your great work. May you never be forgotten.
Srinidhi
January 10, 2012
The C Programming Language, the ever mysterious programming language which teaches the paradigm of how to be more disciplined in life, is the essence of all other Programming Languages. DMR thank you.
How you can show support
venkat venkataswami
November 13, 2011
Dear Sir, May your soul rest in peace. Thank you for giving this indian middle class boy a future and more importantly a livelihood. Your efforts at perfection put food on the table for me. The whole world is indebted to you and your colleagues. R.I.P.
Hedwig Doets
November 6, 2011
Dennis Ritchie, I only just heard about all the wonderful things you did. That if it weren't for you, we wouldn't have C and we would probably still be reading in binary. Thank you for everything
Gail Winfred
November 1, 2011
Thank you Dennis Ritchie, the inventor of the C language; may you rest in peace. C is the building block of many other computer languages, operating systems, the Internet/Wide World Web and many more computer related subjects. The C language jump started my career as a software engineer, helped me raise my 2 boys, assisted in my BSCS degree, and over a decade in my career as a software engineer. Thank you so much Dennis Ritchie.
Charles Lafond
October 18, 2011
Dennis -
You are one of the greatest men that ever lived. Thank you for your time, code, and methods. Your inspiration is uniquely in everything we see and do. You shared like no other.
To the Ritchie family -
Thank you for sharing a truly great person. May you all find everlasting Peace and Grace through these times.
Harold Molly
October 18, 2011
Mr.Ritchie , you are one off them, who helped to reshape or planet. Rest In Peace
Steve Beckle
October 17, 2011
I wrote many lines of C code under the UNIX operating system during my days at Bell Labs in 5ESS Operator Services. You made a very memorable career at Bell Labs possible.
October 17, 2011
Please accept my condolences during this time of sorrow.
B A
October 17, 2011
"Rest in peace Mr Ritchie. I have a successful career because of 'C' language. Thank you" - B A (SF, CA)
Terja Lange
October 17, 2011
I had the privilege of sharing a meal with Dennis in 1995, and was so inspired by him. rest in peace, may you plan-9 heaven ready for the rest of us :)
Ari Paananen
October 16, 2011
A major portion of my daily job is and has always been based on your great pioneering work. May you rest in peace, or as we say in Finnish: "kevyet mullat".
K aboushiwa
October 16, 2011
Rest in peace mr .Ritchie
Victoria&Andrew
October 15, 2011
Condolences to ~DENNIS RITCHIE~
As For the Brillant minds of Computer
Engineers is where it Started Thank you
for the Technical era for many,years
rest in peace`DENNY
October 15, 2011
Mr. Ritchie was a computer pioneer. Well done sir, your place in history is secure. Rest in Peace. 01010100
Paul Slattery
October 15, 2011
Hello World From Ireland.
A truly great man. To his family and friends I hope that his passing will be eased by knowing he will always be remembered and admired - all over this world. R.I.P Dennis.
Jerry Garbacz
October 15, 2011
I grew up next door to the Ritchie family and loved them all. My sympathies go to Bill, John, and Lynne. We were all honored by Dennis' life, his creativity, and his ability to live life to the fullest his way. Jerry Garbacz, [email protected]
Karl Plenge
October 15, 2011
This man will get none of the fanfare that Steve Jobs did, but none of what Jobs did would have been possible without what he did.
Tafadzwa Gwena
October 15, 2011
Goodbye Friend, we will always remember you.
Rex Burnham
October 15, 2011
Hello World,
That is the phrase that Mr. Ritchie used as an example for teaching us how to code a C program that would output a string of characters. Everyone talks about how rapidly computers change. I never unxerstood that because Mr. Ritchie's C language was invented in 1969. It is still widely used today. His book is the book that I have used the most over the years. It was thin enough to not be intimidating. It's brevity encouraged millions to learn how to program.
Hello, Dennis Ritchie
BC
October 15, 2011
I am sorry for you loss. May the God of comfort who strengthens us in our trials and hardships sustain you at this most difficult time.
2 Cor 1:3,4
October 15, 2011
To the family of Dennis Ritchie, my condolences for the loss of your beloved one. May the God of all comfort strengthen you at this difficult time. (Erma L. Davis, Park Forest, IL.)
zer0 cube
October 15, 2011
you are the person who inspired me to take interest in computer programming
DENNIS RITCHIE HAS NOT DIED
HE WILL NEVER DIE
LONG LIVE dmr
Martha Roessner
October 14, 2011
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
October 14, 2011
Rest In Peace.
Ed Riddle
AT&T UNIX Software Licensing, 1976-1994.
North Carolina
Luc
October 14, 2011
Tank you very much, Mr. Richie.
October 14, 2011
My deepest sympathy to Dennis Ritchie's family. I know the precious memories of Dennis will always be cherished by you. He paved the way for so many young ones to embrace computer programming as a whole. He was a pioneer in his own sense of the word.
K White
October 14, 2011
Because of the trail you paved I was able to blaze into the computer world in which I'm successful today. Thank you for your legacy and God Bless your family. K White Ohio.
October 14, 2011
My deepest condolences to the Ritchie Family. Dennis's work in creating the C Programming Langage has contributed greatly to society and the lives of many. From programmers who had careers writing C code, including myself, to the many that use software originating from his creativity.
Tom O'Connor
October 14, 2011
As one of thousands that learned and used C - printf("God bless you, Mr Ritchie\n");
K M
October 14, 2011
My sincerest sympathy to the Ritchie Family. I worked in the same area of Bell Labs that Dennis worked in. He was such a pleasant person. He will be deeply missed.
October 14, 2011
As as former Bell Labs employee, it was wonderful just being in the same company as Dennis Ritchie. Those were the golden days of my life.
Walt Fles
October 14, 2011
We would NOT have careers without you. I know you at the time were creating a better OS and language for the phone company, but it led to the launch thousands of careers and products. You worked hard all your life and deserve an eternal rest. Thank you Mr Ritchie
michelle plakas-kaiser
October 14, 2011
rip
Paul
October 14, 2011
An unsung hero of the millennium, nevertheless will live forever in anyone's daily life. His contribution to science and knowledge has been outstanding, even if not nearly enough acknowledged. My deep personal condolences to the family an one last tought: I feel proud to have lived in the same days of people like Dennis.
Betty Dailey
October 13, 2011
may god comfort those in their moment of sorrow. bring forth a heart of joy for a great man.
October 13, 2011
Offering my deepest condolences to the Ritchie Family. I am the faithful follower and a humble student on Dennis Ritchie's C language and UNIX system. Ritchie and family, you will be remembered among millions C programmers worldwide. JY, North Carolina
JPWormley
October 13, 2011
Offering my deepest condolences to the Ritchie Family. "God is near to those that are broken at heart; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves." (Psalm 34:18) So pour out your feelings to the God who promises to comfort our hearts.
October 13, 2011
My sincere condolence to the Ritchie family,,,,,,,May the God of tender mercies bring the family comfort
Tom Smith
October 13, 2011
May the God of all comfort, comfort the family and friends of Dennis Ritchie. I wrote many lines of C code as a systems and application programmer. We can all look forward to the time when all of mankind with use and speak the pure language from God.
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