Why? because he was a teacher or friend to someone who is a moderator on HN? Because he wrote some books? Lots of famous people, scientists (computer scientists

Why? because he was a teacher or friend to someone who is a moderator on HN? Because he wrote some books? Lots of famous people, scientists (computer scientists and otherwise), who wrote books and died didn't get a black bar. Every time a black bar is put for someone, his importance is immediately compared to the importance of other great people who died. Frankly I think it does a disservice not only to those who don't get a black-bar, but also to those who do.