Ken Siders Has Died

[MrFish]

I know it's already on the front page here on AtariAge and there is a thread in the 7800 forums, but I feel compelled to open one here too.

I don't go to the front page regularly, so I just found out a few hours ago in the 7800 thread.

 

Sad news to hear, especially of someone only 49 years of age and a great contributor to the hobby.

Rest in peace Ken; you'll always be remembered in the community; thanks for everything. Condolences to your family.

 

Obituary page where condolences can be posted: Kenneth Lee Siders (February 12, 1968 - August 12, 2017)

 

Ken's Website: kens classics

 

Ken created the great Atari 8-bit classic (and also for 5200 and 7800): Beef Drop

 

 

 

 

He made another 8-bit game, oddly enough, titled: The Fish-Adventures of Mr. Fish

 

He also created several other games for the 7800 including:

b*nQ (a Q*bert clone)

bloc drop (unfinished Tetris clone)

Edited September 3, 2017 by MrFish

[Justin Payne]

Oh, no. That is so sad and at such a young age. I didn't know the man but what a great contribution to the community and a lasting legacy.

[Mclaneinc]

Seemed to be a really nice guy...

 

49 is way too young though, condolences to the family...

[Grizaptimus]

Didn't know him but I am saddened to hear this

[Madi]

It is sad to hear a loss of one member of our Atari community.

My condolences to his brokenhearted family.

madi

Edited September 3, 2017 by Madi

[+Philsan]

I enjoyed his games for Atari computers.

He was a talented programmer and a nice person.

Condolences to his friends and his family.

[ricortes]

Gut punch news.

[Mathy]

My condolences to all who loved him

 

Mathy

[+CharlieChaplin]

Rest in peace Ken!

[Marius]

What a sad news. May he rest in piece. It sucks. 49 sounds too young... I hope he has not been through a lot of suffering. All the best wishes for his friends and family.

[Lord Thag]

That's awful! My condolences to his family. I was just showing my fiance Beef Drop the other night too.

 

So young...

[917k]

Terrible news indeed, my thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family.

[+Stephen]

Replied in the other threads. Very sad to hear. While I did not personally know him, we chatted several times via IRC. Hope this is not in bad taste, but does anybody know how he died? It seemed sudden, so I assume something terrible like a car accident and not an illness.

[MrFish]

Hope this is not in bad taste, but does anybody know how he died? It seemed sudden, so I assume something terrible like a car accident and not an illness.

 

I don't think it's in bad taste to wonder or ask what happened. I agree that since they said he died "unexpectedly" it probably means something other than long-term illness, but no way of knowing unless a family member or someone close would reply here.

 

Here's the actual obituary, for people who didn't realise they needed to click on the tab to see it on the obituary page i linked to.

 

-------------------------------------------------------

 

Kenneth Lee Siders

 

MARION: Kenneth Lee Siders, age 49, of Marion and Columbus, Ohio, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, August12, 2017 at Riverside Methodist Hospital. He was born on February 12, 1968 to the late Lowell and Judy (Rowland) Siders in Marion.

 

Ken enjoyed computers and video games, and he worked as a computer programmer with H&R Block for 25 years. He loved his niece and nephew, and the family fondly remembers their summer vacations and other adventures to the Columbus Zoo, Port Clinton, Put-in-Bay, and every fair they could attend.

 

He is survived by his sister Cindy Siders of Marion; his brother Bryan (Theresa) Siders of Owensboro, Kentucky; his niece Kelli Siders; his nephew CJ Siders-Hill; his uncle JR (Judy) Rowland; and many friends and extended family by love.

 

He was preceded in death by his parents Lowell and Judy Siders and his brother Eric Siders.

 

Calling hours will be held on Sunday,August 20, 2017 from 2 PM to 4 PM at the Boyd-Born Funeral Home. Services will take place on Monday, August 21, 2017 at 11 AM at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Grand Prairie Cemetery.

Edited September 4, 2017 by MrFish

[Mclaneinc]

Unexpectedly is probably code for heart attack...

 

Whatever the answer its way too young to be passing on....I'm not religious but I'd like to hope he went to a nice place...

[Sikor]

RIP Ken...

[Mark loves Stella]

Sad news. RIP Ken.

[luckybuck]

That is really sad to read, my condolences to his family. At the age of 49, that is way too fast. He and his work will live further in the community and in our mind. May you rest in peace Ken, wherever you may are now.

[adam242]

I think Beef Drop for the 800 was the first thing I ever bought from the AA store..

 

Talented guy, gone way too soon. RIP and condolences to his loved ones.

[atx4us]

This is sad news! I went college (OSU) in Columbus, OH. I wished I had a chance to know him back then.

 

RIP Ken.

 

Hayden

[Level42]

Didn't know Ken although I really love Beef Drop.

 

Also....he died at my age....which is still always a crazy thought.....RIP Ken and thank you.

[+Brentarian]

I hate when we lose Atari people, especially this young. He will be greatly missed. I've played his Beef Drop demo, but I'm going to have to buy the full game on cart.

[ClausB]

He lives on in his creations.

[MrFish]

He lives on in his creations.

 

No doubt.

 

I've been enjoying playing Beef Drop again for the last several days.

[a8isa1]

Can anyone remember the name of Ken's tools that make the 'k' disks?. I thought it was ATRUTIL.EXE but that builds ATRs.

 

I will probably play some Burger Boy this weekend. It's Ken's Action! language based predecessor to Beef Drop.