Stephen Hawking dies aged 76

[Rick]

Stephen Hawking dies aged 76

World renowned physicist Stephen Hawking has died at the age of 76.

He died peacefully at his home in Cambridge in the early hours of Wednesday, his family said.

The British scientist was famed for his work with black holes and relativity, and wrote several popular science books including A Brief History of Time.

More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-43396008

A few years back he gave the BBC Reith Lecture, and the following summary of his achievements was written:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/earth/story/20160107-these-are-the-discoveries-that-made-stephen-hawking-famous

...and here's a bit from Astronomy Now:
https://astronomynow.com/2018/03/14/stephen-hawking-1924-2018/

[doug]

     The world has lost a brilliant man .... who can replace him?

     Doug.

[Carole]

Definitely, he was amazing in a number of ways, his brilliance - he will go down in scientific history, his abilities despite his illness, and that fact that he survived for 53 years longer than the two years predicted.

Carole