Category: Obituaries
Dale Eugene LaFrenz (September 21, 1937 – February 25, 2026) was a visionary mathematics educator, early adopter of computers in the classroom, and the driving force behind the Minnesota Educational Computing Consortium (MECC). As a teacher-turned-executive, he transformed MECC from a state-funded consortium into a powerhouse that delivered computer access to nearly every Minnesota schoolchild and popularized landmark educational software like The Oregon Trail. His leadership helped launch the educational technology industry in the United States, bridging mainframe time-sharing in…
The famed producer of the PBS television programs Computer Chronicles and Net Cafe, Stewart Cheifet, has passed away on 28 December 2025. The 87 year old Stewart most famously was known for highlighting the growing personal computer realm in the 1980’s with his relaxed professional style, along side other luminaries in the computer field including George Morrow, Gary Kidall and even Bill Gates and a host of others. He also had worked professionally at both PBS and ABC and taught…
Rebecca Heineman, a brilliant and accomplished programmer and video game creator, passed away today after an unexpected battle with cancer. She shared her battle on Bluesky, where she highlighted some of her many achievements, “First video game champion (1980 Atari 2600 Space Invaders National Champion). Created Bard’s Tale III: The Thief Of Fate & Dragon Wars.” I’d like to share a few memories of the fun and joy she brought into my world, which is rather difficult on the day…
Lebanon, NH – Thomas Eugene Kurtz, whose pioneering work in computer science made programming accessible to the masses through the development of the BASIC programming language, died on November 12, 2024, in Lebanon, New Hampshire. He was 96 years old. Along side the venerable John Kemeney, Kurtz worked tirelessly at Dartmouth College to bring programming to the masses, even working on his own version of BASIC into his later years. Early Life and Academic Journey Born on February 22, 1928,…
It is with a heavy heart that we convey the passing of a trailblazer in the adventure gaming community, Gerald Marshall Moore, known to most people as Shay Addams. Gerald’s extraordinary journey, spanning 76 years, concluded tragically on December 8th, 2023, as a fire consumed the childhood home that had been witness to the chapters of his remarkable life. Born in Manchester, GA, in 1946, Gerald was a man of diverse interests. Literature, writing, and exploration defined his essence. From…
Don Lancaster, a highly-revered figure in the microcomputer industry for the past six decades, peacefully passed away at age 83 on June 7, 2023, in Mesa, Arizona. Don’s contributions to the world of microcomputers were exceptional by any measure. Probably his most notable early achievement was the creation of the “TV Typewriter,” a revolutionary device that utilized transistor-transistor logic (TTL) to display text on a TV screen. The TV Typewriter first appeared in the September 1973 issue of Radio Electronics. This…
James Joseph Shackel, an A.P.P.L.E. Member, Kansasfest attendee, long time Apple II user, Arizona Air National Guard Lt. Col. and Southwest Airlines pilot passed away January 19th, 2023 at the age of 58. Obituary: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/legacyremembers/james-shackel-obituary?id=39585348
Jim Warren, the famed founding editor at the People’s Computer Company, publisher of Dr. Dobbs Journal has passed away. Jim was aged 85 and was known for his intelligent editing of Dr. Dobbs as well as the founding of the West Coast Computer Faire. He died on the 24th in St. Michaels Medical Center in Silverdale, WA.. Some of the publications he worked on included Intelligent Machines Journal, Later known as InfoWorld, Silicon Gulch Gazette, Datacast Magazine, Computer World, in…
Long time Apple II hobbyist and business owner, Tony Diaz, has passed away at the age of 54. Born in 1967, Tony was known for his legendary knowledge of the Apple II series as well as for his collection of extremely rare Apple II computers and software. Tony was also known as a civil aviation and military enthusiast, having held the rank of Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Civil Air Patrol. His well-documented and simulcast trips across the US in…
We regret to inform our readers of the passing of famed Robotics pioneer David Lee Heiserman. His obituary on the Funeral home site his family chose reads as follows: David Lee Heiserman, age 79 of Columbus, died Friday February 21, 2020 at Dublin Riverside Hospital. David was an educator, author, and visionary. David was a pioneer in robotics, authoring “Build your own working robot” (1976) and others. In total, he wrote over 40 books during the 70’s and 80’s. Diverse…
We learned today that one of our directors, Mike Pfaiffer, has passed away. Michael was a programmer, editor of Call-A.P.P.L.E. and The Digital Civilization, as well as A.P.P.L.E. President. He passed away at his home in Manitoba Canada. Mike was a driving force behind the rejuvenation of A.P.P.L.E. in the early 2000’s and will be sorely missed by all of us.
Ryan Suenaga, a driving force in the Apple ][ community and creator of the Apple IIgs Twitter client passed away today. Ryan was an avid cyclist, runner and hiker and was hiking the Olomana trail on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. He apparently became separated from his hiking party and fell. Rescue helicopters were sent in to get him but upon his evacuation from the scene was declared dead. He was 44 years old. Many in the Apple II and…
A.P.P.L.E. Founding Member Dave Lingwood passed away this week. Dave was well known for his insightful columns in Call-A.P.P.L.E. Magazine over the years and was one of the first 15 members of the group. According to the announcement: Dave Lingwood was a beloved family member and friend who shared his numerous talents with the world. He passed away on Thursday, February 17, 2011. Please join us for a memorial and short graveside service on Friday, February 25th, 2011 at 12:30…
