Actually its funny you mention that. I have a feeling given the relative youth of the field of CS (and CE), even those of us who are relative newbies like myself (by which I mean when and under what circumstances I got into the field) still appreciate the work of such pioneers, even though it is as a result of reading up about them rather than actually working directly with them (or their contributions). Another name that comes to mind is Kildall! Every time I read about them, a certain nostalgic sadness fills me, even though I have never used a DEC or CP/M (respectively).