Mark Hoekstra has passed away

posted Sep 20th 2008 1:33pm by
filed under: macs hacks, news, wireless hacks

UPDATE: His personal site has been updated.

It was with great sadness that we learned of [Mark Hoekstra]‘s death this morning. Earlier this week, the 34 year old hacker suffered a heart attack while riding his bicycle and was admitted to the hospital in a coma. [Markie] has been a Hack a Day commenter for much of our existence and a project contributor for nearly as long. It started simply with things like his bright green Hack a Day iPod sock and a hand crank iPod charger. He did an excellent job documenting his projects; many people had built IR cameras, but none were nearly as thorough as him. He also enjoyed sharing his love for obsolete hardware with the community. He built a wireless eMate, turned two Mac SE/30′s into audio viualizers, and wired shutter glasses to an old SGI.

It was always a treat to hear about [Mark]‘s latest project and he’ll be missed greatly.

[photo: Bram Belloni]



62 Responses to Mark Hoekstra has passed away

  • Louis II says:
    September 20, 2008 at 1:41 pm

    :-(
    Will be much missed.

    Reply Report comment
  • Vincent says:
    September 20, 2008 at 1:51 pm

    R.I.P brother and may you hack a day every day.

    Reply Report comment
  • Ash says:
    September 20, 2008 at 1:52 pm

    I’m shocked, I LOVED GT. A heart attack at 34? That’s so awful. Especially since he was just recently talking about a girl he’d met and he seemed really happy..

    Reply Report comment
  • jose says:
    September 20, 2008 at 2:02 pm

    anyone else suspecting he was assasinated by super-top secret ninjas?

    okay, just me then…

    He will be missed.

    Reply Report comment
  • barry99705 says:
    September 20, 2008 at 2:03 pm

    that’s really lame. i hit his site almost every day. the scary part is he’s only a year older than me. he will definitely be missed.

    Reply Report comment
  • Kalleguld says:
    September 20, 2008 at 2:48 pm

    R.I.P.
    Too bad they couldn’t hack you back together. You will be missed.

    Reply Report comment
  • Tom Levesque says:
    September 20, 2008 at 2:58 pm

    As a long time reader of Hack-a-day, I extend my condolences to Mark’s friends and family. I hope that people will find solace in his many accomplishments, and honor him by carrying the torch of developing technology and clever solutions to problems.

    Reply Report comment
  • maxkelley says:
    September 20, 2008 at 3:09 pm

    oh, wow. this is really shocking. i loved going to mark’s site, he always had something new going on, so many projects, great ambitions.

    we’ll miss you markie!

    Reply Report comment
  • supaduck says:
    September 20, 2008 at 3:13 pm

    Bad news for us all. He will be greatly missed.

    Reply Report comment
  • Wil says:
    September 20, 2008 at 3:22 pm

    I’ve once met Mark in person a few years ago (during a Firefox release party actually, being true geeks! :D).

    That was also the first time I heard about him and he directly struck me as a very kind and also very knowledgeable person. He gave me his business card but for some reason or another we never met in person again.

    Coincidentally I noticed this card again a few week ago.. and thought: ‘I would be really nice to
    have a meeting with him once again’.

    Sadly this never came to be…

    During the years I followed his work at a distance; Those who have followed this projects/work can only conclude that he had a very rare combination of creativity, knowledge and skills. This combined with his humor made him someone for which I had and have a lot of respect.

    It’s very sad that the world has just lost a great person like him.

    Mark, we will miss you. Thank you for all the inspirational projects and for just being you: Mr. Geek Technique! :)

    May you rest in peace, tinkering with all kinds of heavenly gadgets.

    I also would like to extend my condolences to his family and friends. I wish you a lot of strength and as Tom stated so eloquently before me: the torch with his ‘Maker spirit’ will be carried on by enthusiasts all over the world.

    Conclusion to self:

    - Try to enjoy every day and every moment. You never know how much time you really have available on this world.

    - Do not postpone things you’d like to do; perhaps you’ll never have the chance to do them if you wait too long.

    Reply Report comment
  • mrbob1000 says:
    September 20, 2008 at 3:23 pm

    NOOOO! i loved geek technique.

    moment of silence…

    he will be missed

    Reply Report comment
  • henk says:
    September 20, 2008 at 3:24 pm

    Mark, we zullen je missen.

    Reply Report comment
  • jack says:
    September 20, 2008 at 3:28 pm

    T_T
    from beginning to the end youre the best :)

    Reply Report comment
  • Pyrofallout says:
    September 20, 2008 at 3:54 pm

    RIP bro :-(

    Reply Report comment
  • scott says:
    September 20, 2008 at 4:15 pm

    :( sucks to hear what happened to him, from what i heard he lived a full, and happy life.

    if god really does exist, i hope he winds up in a better place. RIP Mark Hoekstra.

    Reply Report comment
  • Will Gittoes says:
    September 20, 2008 at 4:21 pm

    Been viewing this site ever since the first few posts too, linked from Slashdot.

    Rest in piece, Mark. He’s adding LED’s to Heaven, now.

    Reply Report comment
  • 512MB USB stick says:
    September 20, 2008 at 4:31 pm

    This sucks. Mark has poured so much personality into GEEKtechnique that I feel like I’ve lost a close friend.

    Reply Report comment
  • Jacob says:
    September 20, 2008 at 4:49 pm

    Thats really sad. Although I wasn’t a regular reader, I love geek technique!

    RIP Mark.

    I’ll be thinking of you when I’ll finally be able to do your “How to turn your iPod-mini into a flash based iPod” project this week :)

    Reply Report comment
  • dexter says:
    September 20, 2008 at 4:51 pm

    this is so sad. he will be greatly missed.
    the community has suffered a great loss.
    we will never forget.
    rest in peace.

    Reply Report comment
  • Spidermac says:
    September 20, 2008 at 4:53 pm

    Shocked
    I’m so sad..he was a great “artist”

    RIP

    Reply Report comment
  • Sammy says:
    September 20, 2008 at 5:02 pm

    I had only read about one of his hacks and thought it was excellent. And was looking forward to reading more. But that’s not possible anymore. It’s terrible. Rest in Peace

    Reply Report comment
  • unixx says:
    September 20, 2008 at 5:36 pm

    RIP. This is my fist post after visiting this site for 4 years.
    God bless him, & family /friends.

    Reply Report comment
  • bob says:
    September 20, 2008 at 5:44 pm

    one of the best, loved the dialog, the projects, the web site. Mark will be greatly missed.

    Reply Report comment
  • sean says:
    September 20, 2008 at 5:51 pm

    always sad to lose a member of the community, especially so young

    Reply Report comment
  • nitori says:
    September 20, 2008 at 6:09 pm

    Can’t believe he had a heart attack at 34 and wasn’t 300lbs or anything.
    I thought his mac Se hack was soo cool too.

    Reply Report comment
  • Samuel Gamlin says:
    September 20, 2008 at 6:28 pm

    just flash the bios he will be fine

    but seriously that is sad and he will be greatly missed

    Reply Report comment
  • Alexandre Gauthier says:
    September 20, 2008 at 6:33 pm

    Shit.

    Mark was a really huge inspiration to me, I absolutely loved the guy and his work. I really related to his love of SGI gear and various obsolete chunks of hardware. I read geek technique with almost religous, cheerful glee.

    I can’t believe he’s gone, I truely am sad now. This is a really sad day.

    Reply Report comment
  • Dane says:
    September 20, 2008 at 7:27 pm

    Its really troubling to hear of marks passing.

    the tinkerers and creative folks ive seen from afar have shaped who i am, and its sad to see any of them go.

    I am glad to see so many folks comment back.

    anyone going to make a backup of his site ?
    -Dane

    Reply Report comment
  • werejag says:
    September 20, 2008 at 7:34 pm

    you will be missed fellow hacker.

    Reply Report comment
  • ciricTech says:
    September 20, 2008 at 7:43 pm

    R.I.P

    Reply Report comment
  • jeff says:
    September 20, 2008 at 8:38 pm

    rip mark. you will be missed.

    Reply Report comment
  • Horst says:
    September 20, 2008 at 9:04 pm

    r.i.p.
    very much missed.

    Reply Report comment
  • w00tb0t says:
    September 20, 2008 at 10:05 pm

    Hopefully hes in a better place with all the hardware he can chew on.

    I loved geek technique, and I painted my ibook red after I saw his green ibook.

    Ill miss him,

    Reply Report comment
  • Thomas says:
    September 21, 2008 at 12:28 am

    Fahre wohl, mit etwas Gerechtigkeit wartet schon die neue Lötstation auf dich.

    Reply Report comment
  • peptidefarmer says:
    September 21, 2008 at 12:50 am

    He’s hacking angels now. RIP

    Reply Report comment
  • Jim says:
    September 21, 2008 at 2:14 am

    r.i.p markie, you will be sadly missed.

    Reply Report comment
  • mrbrew says:
    September 21, 2008 at 3:37 am

    So young :(

    rest in peace.

    Reply Report comment
  • strider_mt2k says:
    September 21, 2008 at 5:22 am

    Wow.
    I remember a few of these projects from over the years.
    Indeed, consistent, creative, and the write ups are just great.

    What a bummer. :(

    I really hope his work can live on in an online archive somewhere.
    I’m sure a part of him lives on as long as someone sees and learns and is perhaps inspired by what obviously brought him a lot of joy.

    Whatever your next hack is, give a moment of thought to the man, then fire up that soldering iron, drill, welder, computer, torch, or whatever you’re using for tools.
    He’d do the same, I’m sure. :)

    Hack on, brothers and sisters, hack on.

    Reply Report comment
  • Renji says:
    September 21, 2008 at 5:28 am

    r.i.p. Mark :(

    Reply Report comment
  • pAv says:
    September 21, 2008 at 6:06 am

    I’ve never commented here before, but it’s too sad not to.
    RIP

    Reply Report comment
  • Artemisgoldfish says:
    September 21, 2008 at 9:02 am

    To live in hearts we leave behind, is not to die. Rest in peace.

    Reply Report comment
  • S.P. says:
    September 21, 2008 at 9:59 am

    Rest In Peace.

    Reply Report comment
  • Ghost says:
    September 21, 2008 at 10:02 am

    r.i.p. man, wherever you are.

    Reply Report comment
  • Raggamofyn says:
    September 21, 2008 at 10:15 am

    Holy fucking shit. I almost don’t believe it.

    I follow his site on each and every update.

    He’s as much of a hero as I’ve got, honestly.

    May he be happy as whatever part of the ethereal construct he may now be.

    Reply Report comment
  • MrRandomPerson says:
    September 21, 2008 at 12:04 pm

    just to say i’ve been coming on this site for a while but never commented or looked in depth at many of the hacks. although i’ve never heard of this guy it’s never nice when someone dies, especially since mark was only 34 and by the sound of it he was in pretty good physical shape. all i can say is i hope he has fun playing around with whatever they have in heaven.
    R

    Reply Report comment
  • tiuk says:
    September 21, 2008 at 1:38 pm

    very sad to hear, RIP Mark.

    Reply Report comment
  • Ryan Mitchell says:
    September 21, 2008 at 5:24 pm

    mark… i didnt know you personally but he was an awesome man.

    he has recieved his last DoS attack…

    Reply Report comment
  • daniel andrade says:
    September 21, 2008 at 9:26 pm

    Thats so sad, he was like an hero to me too!!!

    hope you are in a better place right now dude!

    RIP

    Reply Report comment
  • Alan says:
    September 21, 2008 at 11:00 pm

    Very sorry to hear the bad news. RIP Mark.

    Reply Report comment
  • othertonywilson says:
    September 21, 2008 at 11:19 pm

    Is it odd that the last song that he listened to that was scrobbled to his last.fm was “Instant Death” By The Beastie Boys? Sure it might have not been the last track he ever listened to but I find it odd.

    http://www.last.fm/user/markhoekstra

    Reply Report comment
  • Terry says:
    September 22, 2008 at 12:16 am

    RIP Happy hacking wherever you maybe.

    Reply Report comment
  • notatoy says:
    September 22, 2008 at 7:06 am

    very shocking to hear this my condolences to his family

    Reply Report comment
  • jonno85uk says:
    September 22, 2008 at 10:25 am

    What a shock! I always enjoyed checking geektechnique regularly even if Mark himself didn’t appear to be doing so.

    If only we could send all of his gear with him so he can catch up on his great projects. Was he secretly a Viking?

    Reply Report comment
  • adam says:
    September 22, 2008 at 3:55 pm

    wow, I checked his site like every day. what a shock.

    rest in peace buddy.

    Reply Report comment
  • static says:
    September 22, 2008 at 4:42 pm

    Adding LEDs in Heaven, and I have been calling them stars. Gone at 34, a sobering reminder, that we never know. I wish for his family and friends all the strength they will need. Enjoy your eternity in what has to be a more peaceful place, Mark.

    Reply Report comment
  • sean says:
    September 23, 2008 at 12:17 pm

    rip dude

    Reply Report comment
  • Kobilica says:
    September 24, 2008 at 8:11 am

    :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :(

    That sucks badly.

    Will miss you!

    Reply Report comment
  • rkattufts says:
    September 24, 2008 at 12:11 pm

    He will be missed. He was one of those people who made the Net fun for me. He really did.

    :(

    Reply Report comment
  • pistache says:
    September 27, 2008 at 5:56 am

    R.I.P bro’…

    Will be missed by every geek…

    So sad…

    Reply Report comment
  • hackepapz says:
    September 29, 2008 at 1:25 am

    R.I.P mate
    i’ve been here over 4 years, never posted a thing
    but for him
    will miss you.

    Reply Report comment
  • lorddef says:
    September 29, 2008 at 2:40 am

    heart attack at 34 is quite shocking. I’ve never really visited his site before, until now, there’s some excellent stuff on there. the vintage hardware stuff is definately my cup of tea.

    Reply Report comment
  • jay lee says:
    October 14, 2008 at 3:47 am

    R.I.P dear brother.

    Reply Report comment

    • Leave a Reply

    XHTML: You can use these tags: <a href="" title="" rel=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <pre> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>

    Hack a Day serves up fresh hacks each day, every day from around the web as well as hacking related news.

    Send us your hacks










         



    Hacks

    Resources