Robert Jordan has died.

"Death is lighter than a feather, duty heavier than a mountain," — The Great Hunt

"That mountain can grow awfully heavy sometimes," Rand sighed, taking a spear and buckler from Rhuarc. "When do you find a chance to put it down awhile?"
"When you die," Lan said simply. — The Shadow Rising

Robert Jordan passed away at 2.45p.m on the 16th of September after a long and valiant struggle against cardiac ambyloidosis. Even though the illness had a median life expectancy of four years Jordan was determined to not only complete his epic Wheel of Time series but also to write several prologues as well as two more trilogies set in a new world (Infinity of Heaven). The indications are that "A Memory of Light" will be completed based on Jordan's considerable notes and outlines.

Jordan led an impressive and fulfilling life. He served two tours in Vietnam where he earned a distinguished flying cross, the bronze star and two Vietnamese Gallantry crosses with palm. After the war he attended the prestigious Citadel where he received his degree in physics. He later served the U.S navy as a nuclear engineer before turning his hand to writing.

Jordan (originally James Oliver Rigney Jr.), was dreaming up his Wheel Of Time Series as early as the late sixties but it should be mentioned that Jordan had made a name for himself as an accomplished author long before "Eye of the World" was released in 1990. Under the pen name of Reagan O'Neal he wrote the "Fallon" trilogy as well as several Conan the Barbarian novels before finally embarking on The "Wheel of Time" saga.

I read "Eye of the World" about three years ago and was immediately hooked. What impressed me most was the depth and detail of the world he created. The history of every nation, the background of every character and the intricacies of every culture were all developed diligently to create a masterpiece of worldbuilding. Jordan once mentioned in an interview that he had over a gigabyte of information just on individual Aes Sedai so it beggars belief to imagine how much "Wheel of Time" data must exist on his hard drive(s). What is rarely mentioned is the strength of his characters. With a cast of dozens it is easy to overlook the few that really stand out but Rand, Perrin and particularly Thom have in my opinion been developed convincingly and realistically. It is a tribute to the late author's skill that such characters still stand out in the midst of the massive and cataclysmic events they are swept up in.
The death has been announced here and discussed here . Pat over at Fantasy Hotlist has posted a short but poignant tribute .
Rest in peace Robert Jordan.