Horrible news broke over the weekend. ABC reported that 33-year-old Oculus Rift co-founder Andrew Reisse was killed as the result of a hit and run accident.
The hit and run apparently occurred during a high-speed chase between police and escaping gang members.
As news spread, the Oculus Rift team released a lengthy statement:
"Andrew was a brilliant computer graphics engineer, an avid photographer and hiker who loved nature, and a loyal friend. Andrew was unique in so many interesting ways. He was extraordinarily kind and utterly selfless. He was a mentor and an inspiration to everyone around him.
Some of us have known Andrew since college, and have worked with him at multiple companies beginning with Scaleform in Maryland which he helped start at age 19, then at Gaikai in Aliso Viejo which brought him out to California, and finally at Oculus where he was a co-founder and lead engineer.
Andrew’s contributions span far and wide in the video game industry. His code is embedded in thousands of games played by millions of people around the world.”
The group’s full response can be read here.
Our thoughts go to Reisse's family, friends, and others close to him.