Text File

Dedicated to Joel 'Espy' Klecker

On July 11, 2000, the Debian Project, and the Free Software Community as a whole, lost a very dear friend and developer. For most of Joel's life he had been fighting a disease known as Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Since July of 1997, Joel has been a Debian developer, and for most of that time was bed-ridden because of this disease. Joel was 21 when he died, far from the ripe age we imagine most people in our field will reach. His great dedication to the project is an inspiration to us all, and will never be forgotten.

He was known by most of us as "Espy", his IRC nickname, and also as the outspoken voice we heard on the mailing lists, never afraid to speak his mind in a way that only Joel could do, with humor and directness. He maintained a level of excellence in many important packages for Debian. His expertise and knowledge was never questioned. Those of us who have the honor of carrying on the work that he has done for us, will try to maintain it to his degree of technical perfection.

Most of us had no idea the trials that Joel endured every day of his life. Not until near the end did any of us know he even had this disease. Only now are we realizing his dedication, and the friendship that he bestowed upon us. So as a show of our appreciation, and in memory of his inspirational life, this release of Debian is for him.

* The "Joel 'Espy' Klecker" release

-- The Debian Developers