RIP, “Digital Bill” Douthett

I didn’t see Digital Bill of the Wizards of Technology this year at PME and sadly I never will again because he died on Wednesday. I found out from this cartoon which is an odd way to learn but Bill to the core. I didn’t know him well, but I did know him enough that I have fond memories of what little time I spent in his presence. He was just the right amount of nutty – he was funny and a trip to be around but he didn’t frighten you.

Condolences and best wishes to his family and friends, of whom there are very many. As I read tributes to him, many of them say “I never met him in person but he is a dear friend.” That makes me feel both happy and a little guilty that I met him several times. I wish I could yield back some of that to people that knew him better than I did.

Goodbye Bill, you will be missed.