[snicky]

> If I had to guess; did the project grow organically for a few years where the original developer learned all of the skills as they went and now this person left?

Well, sort of. He was experienced before he joined, but staying with us many years definitely helped him to structure everything correctly and automatize a lot of tasks. What's interesting, he actually worked only 3 days a week. It's doable if you clearly define the responsibilities.