Before he and Arneson wrote D&D, role-playing games *didn't exist*. Without them, I wouldn't have the hobby (and sometimes profession) that I've followed for my entire life, or many of the friends that I've met through it. My life would be very different, and I suspect much poorer.

Even though I haven't played D&D itself in years and years, the hobby is a continuing and important part of my life. And it would never have existed if not for those two.