Henry Story passed away, rather suddenly, in September 2023.
Over the past 30 years, he made many contributions to the standards of the World Wide Web on a wide range of standards; from Atom to LinkedData to WebID and many other semantic- and big-data work.
Always trying to keep the web open, fair and neutral. Labouring to keep the web, and its technology, available for anyone. Requiring as little as a smart inquisitive individual devoting time. And without having to enter into license agreements, pass toll-gates or becoming a member of some walled gardens. Latterly he was the chair of the W3C WebID Expert Group on the Apache Software Foundation's behalf. Here he was instrumental in keeping some of the early standards open and specifically designed to be as resistant as possible for capture by platforms, browsers and other fiefdoms.
I will personally also remember him for the many little surprise emails. In which he generously explained complex concepts. Or where he shared his insights, or mapped out unintended, but real, consequences arising from the interaction between standards, society and economics. Often adding his lovely philosophical touch that lifted you up, with positivity, hope and helped you see things in perspective.
Dirk-Willem van Gulik, on behalf of the ASF community