vanderveen88 Posted December 8, 2014 Share Posted December 8, 2014 I remember about 12 years ago, when I was still in high school, sending Ralph an inane question via email regarding the Odyssey line of game systems. He took the time to respond, politely noting that he was only involved with the original model and had nothing to do with all the ones that followed from Magnavox. It's not much, but in retrospect it says a lot to me, about how much he appreciated the interest in his work and accomplishments, and how incredible it was that even in his 70s (and much later) he was eager to connect with fans online. A genuinely nice man, it seems, and I'm glad that he belatedly received recognition for helping to start an industry. Rest in peace, sir. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Jentzsch Posted December 8, 2014 Share Posted December 8, 2014 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JadeETC Posted December 8, 2014 Share Posted December 8, 2014 Like others have said, his legacy will live on. Rest in peace, Mr. Baer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VectorGamer Posted December 8, 2014 Share Posted December 8, 2014 NY Times article http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/08/business/ralph-h-baer-dies-inventor-of-odyssey-first-system-for-home-video-games.html?_r=0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maibock Posted December 8, 2014 Share Posted December 8, 2014 Thanks Mr Baer for bringing joy to me for many years and also joy to my kids. I met him at one of the Philly Classics and actually got to play verse him on the Brown Box. I took the first point thinking that his reflexes were slipping with old age, and then he went ahead on a 10 point tear leaving me in the dust. I'm thinking I got played there 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+FujiSkunk Posted December 8, 2014 Share Posted December 8, 2014 Godspeed, Mr. Baer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oscar G. Posted December 8, 2014 Share Posted December 8, 2014 RIP Mr Baer. Saddened by the news. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sanriostar Posted December 8, 2014 Share Posted December 8, 2014 Had to come back to the Old Guard after hearing the news. I hope there's one thing that those of us on the older game sites (DP, AA, et. al) can take comfort in:We held his banner high From the start. I'd like to think our support of his efforts were the initial snowball roll that turned into the Smithsonian donations and the National Medal of Technology.God bless you Mr. Baer. It was a highlight of my life to meet you in 2000. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Charlie Cat Posted December 9, 2014 Share Posted December 9, 2014 (edited) Hi guys, Rest in peace Mr Baer, I hope you continue to play video games in Heaven! Interesting enough, I have a friend that is studying to be a Rabbi after he gets his B.A.. He asked me what a good term paper that is due in June that includes a known American. I told him about Ralph Baer seeing he came from a Jewish background in Germany, and should take him into consideration! After telling him that he invented home video games and co-created "Simon and Super Simon", he was interested on doing so Hope it works out for him! Anthony... Edited December 9, 2014 by fdurso224 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lauren Tyler Posted December 9, 2014 Share Posted December 9, 2014 May he rest in peace knowing he helped pioneer one of the biggest markets ever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+wongojack Posted December 9, 2014 Share Posted December 9, 2014 A true inspiration to a problem solving tinkerer like me. I hope I can keep my mind as active trying to "make things work" as late in life as he did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Mitchell Posted December 9, 2014 Share Posted December 9, 2014 (edited) I heard the news on the BBC which interviewed the editor of Retrogamer Magazine. Sad news. I enjoyed reading my signed copy of his book. Edited December 9, 2014 by Rob Mitchell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
high voltage Posted December 9, 2014 Share Posted December 9, 2014 What a great loss, he did have an adventures life, what a ride having all that freedom to just 'mess' around at the company he worked for and come up with all these things. Gonna give my Odyssey some love tonight. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uppy Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 R.I.P. Ralph. I actually just found out the news today and I'm bummed. I didn't know Ralph personally but he took the time to have a few email conversations with me and autographed a few odyssey items for me. It was very cool of him to take the time to do this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+wood_jl Posted December 12, 2014 Share Posted December 12, 2014 Sad. He seemed like a nice guy in the video clips, and he attended retro-gaming shows and such. What a guy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retro Rogue Posted December 13, 2014 Share Posted December 13, 2014 Sad. He seemed like a nice guy in the video clips, and he attended retro-gaming shows and such. What a guy! He also regularly opened his home to fans, journalists, historians, archivists and more. Spending the day (or days) with them, bringing them down to his basement lab to show his latest project, etc. I was one of those fortunate enough to do that, staying there for a week several years ago, and it's a memory I'll always cherish. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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