Stephen Hawking, who needs no introduction to geeks and non-geeks alike, has passed away at the age of 76.

Hawking defied a diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis to live virtually his entire adult life with the disease – in a wheelchair and paralyzed but making constant contributions to a world few could understand.



He was not modest about what he wanted to do. "My goal is simple. It is a complete understanding of the universe, why it is as it is, and why it exists at all."

RIP Mr. Hawkings, your accomplishments will never be forgotten.