Tau graph software author dies

Published: 10th Feb 2008, 22:14:34GMT Source: drobe.co.uk
By the Drobe news desk


Dad-of-two Peter Killworth loses battle with long-term illness

Tributes were paid this week to RISC OS software developer and interactive fiction writer Peter Killworth, who lost his fight with motor neurone disease late last month.

Peter, who worked as an ocean modeller for the National Oceanography Centre at the University of Southampton, died on January 28, leaving a wife and two sons. He was the author of top graph plotting program Tau and in the 1970s and 1980s he was best known for penning a number of sci-fi interactive fiction games. He wrote, among others, Philosopher's Quest, Countdown to Doom, and Castle of Riddles, pictured right.

In a statement, friends at the University of Southampton said: "Peter will be remembered for his unbridled enthusiasm for science, his dedication to work, and his selfless and generous nature that fostered and encouraged the scientific development of the numerous colleagues he worked with.

"Peter will be sorely missed by the many people who knew him and worked with him. His outstanding contribution to oceanography will live on through his published papers, and in the hearts and minds of those who knew him."

Peter was also a frequent contributor to the mailing list for users of the EasiWriter and TechWriter packages, published by Icon Technology. Mike Glover of Icon said the news was "very sad."

TechWriter user Stewart Brookes added: "This is very sad news indeed. My very first experience of a BBC Model B was playing [Peter's interactive game] Philosopher's Quest. I was immediately hooked, and in later years I was delighted to be in contact with Peter through the EasiWriter mailing list. He'll be missed. My condolences to his family."