"Aaron is dead.
Wanderers in this crazy world,
We have lost a mentor, a wise elder.
Hackers for right, we are one down,
We have lost one of our own.
Nurturers, carers, listeners, feeders, parents all,
We have lost a child.
Let us all weep."

— Sir Tim Berners-Lee

He was definitely a heavy influence on many freedom models of the mid-life internet.