Filed under: Hacks, Cult of Mac, TUAW Business
Mark Hoekstra of geek technique passes away at 34
Mark Hoekstra, blogger and hacker extraordinaire, has passed away at the age of 34 after suffering a heart attack last Wednesday. The sad news of Mark's passing is making its rounds, and we at TUAW would like to offer our condolences to his family, his friends and his readers. Many of Mark's hacks and adventures are thoroughly documented on his blog, geek technique ... evidence of Mark's creative drive and problem-solving ability. He was a geek's geek in the proudest sense of the word.
We've regularly admired Mark's extraordinary determination and imaginative solutions. We'll miss you, Mark.
Thanks, Eliot.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
who? said 11:39PM on 9-20-2008
He died at 34? Wow. That's terrible. ... I didn't even know that it was possible to have a heart attack that young, barring a serious heart defect/disease. That's really sad.
I Hope he led a full life- R.I.P.
:-(
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Patbons said 11:58PM on 9-20-2008
Heart attack? 34?
Can anyone shed some light on that
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pila said 12:41AM on 9-21-2008
My brother died of a heart attack age 35.
Cholesterol level is the problem.
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NickMtl said 12:38AM on 9-21-2008
That's sad. When Om Malik had his heart attack, many fellow bloggers saw this as a sign to start taking it easy. He was blogging *everyday*, had a weekly video podcast on Revision3 and was making the VC round. Phew! We work *with* machines buts we don't have to work like them.
I looked at Mark's blog. The guy was a huge talent. So many things left to do...
R.I.P
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Rico-San said 1:26AM on 9-21-2008
Man, this is sad indeed.
Also kind of eerie, since I was planning on modding my iPod mini in a few days to a flash card.
I wish his loved ones the best.
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michas_pi said 1:29AM on 9-21-2008
This is incredibly sad news. My condolences to his family and friends.
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knight667 said 1:40AM on 9-21-2008
I'm 35, so that really hits home. I hope someone will take care of Bates (his cat). :(
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Ash Matadeen said 3:38AM on 9-21-2008
This is really sad!
R.I.P. Mark.
I hope someone, somehow manages to keep Mark's blog online.
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Ender said 6:10AM on 9-21-2008
That's so young! :(
My condolences.
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Michaelsviews said 6:50AM on 9-21-2008
Lost my father at age 35 massive heart attack.
Our hearts and prayers go out to Mark and his family
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Fubar said 8:50AM on 9-21-2008
This past April I lost my fiancee to a heart attack at 43. She died in my arms at a local movie theatre. She was an active woman that was not overweight at all. From his picture it looks like Mark was the same.
I know exactly what his family and friends are going through at this very moment. Tragic and sad are words that only begin to express the situation. My heart, prayers and condonlences go out to Mark's family and friends.
Rest in peace...
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Sup said 10:54AM on 9-21-2008
Sad news, condolences to the family and friends.
I got a 99% blocked of an key artery at 33 and fortunately caught it in time with an emergency single bypass. I believe genetics played a part and if your father had an issue under 50, puts you at a higher risk. Life can be short, make the best of it.
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Allison said 12:47PM on 9-21-2008
I love geek technique and I'm extremely sad to hear that the genius behind it has passed away. =[
I wish his family the best and I hope there are loads of computers for him to mod up there in heaven.
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bnystedt said 12:55PM on 9-21-2008
Wow.... who would have thought this could happen? Mark was such a cool guy with really great ideas. He inspired me to hack an iPod mini with a CF card... major bummer for the community. Does anyone know if there's a charity or something we can donate to?
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Dustin said 2:25PM on 9-21-2008
Heart attack at 34 is either one or two things:
1. Congenital heart defect
2. Use of cocaine
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scott said 6:41PM on 9-21-2008
This is so terrible. His blog is in the top in my blogroll and i had been wondering why there hasn't been an update in the past week. I truly wish his family the best and my condolences go out to all of his friends and family.
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Boyo said 6:59PM on 9-21-2008
Just shocking, I'm 37 and have been up nearly 24 hours hacking my IB-NAS 4220..I think I'll take a break now.
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itoilet9 said 7:32PM on 9-21-2008
If this is some kind of joke, it ain't funny.
I've been reading that blog since 2004, and I've considered Mark one of my heroes.
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Hussain Khalaf said 10:33PM on 9-21-2008
Very sad
this was his birthday cake
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3218/2856075240_e590fb4c31.jpg
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Doran said 11:49AM on 9-22-2008
Oh Marc, you were so young and full of talent. You shall be missed here, but I secretly hope you're hacking heaven right now.
His blog saved my iPod from the wastebin.
I wonder if BRIGHT will takeover his blog and archive it? I hope someone does, the work he put into it can't disappear.
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