[exodust]

Apparently a lot of people know him, or know of him, so it becomes "news" of sorts, if out of place in HN context. Can you feel the pressure not to say anything except a condolence message? I certainly can, but I won't because I've never heard of him.

If the man himself had died, I get why that might find its way here because then you could talk about his work etc.

Personal loss happens to every one of us, be it family or friends. It's part of life, it's heart breaking, it's horrible, it sucks, it's painful. Then, you draw strength from their memory and move on because there's no other choice.