[Obituary] Simon Riggs, software engineer involved in the development of 'PostgreSQL', dies in plane crash



On March 26, 2024, Simon Riggs, a software developer who was involved in the development of the database management system

PostgreSQL and the launch of the data server solution company 2ndQuadrant , passed away.

PostgreSQL: Remembering Simon Riggs
https://www.postgresql.org/about/news/remembering-simon-riggs-2830/



First picture of pilot who died in crash at Duxford aviation museum

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/03/27/plane-crash-imperial-war-museum-duxford/

'Truly great' Bedfordshire man named as pilot in fatal Duxford aircraft crash | ITV News Anglia
https://www.itv.com/news/anglia/2024-03-27/truly-great-family-pays-tribute-to-pilot-killed-in-aircraft-crash

Mr. Riggs, a native of Amptill, Bedfordshire, England, has contributed to the development of PostgreSQL, a database management system, by developing enterprise features such as point-in-time recovery, hot standby, and synchronous replication.

Mr. Riggs left the PostgreSQL development team in 2023 and later founded 2ndQuadrant, a data server solutions company, with many PostgreSQL developers.

On March 26, 2024, Mr. Riggs was piloting his private propeller aircraft `` SR22T '' at the Imperial War Museum (IWM) in Duxford, Cambridgeshire, England.

Mr Riggs continued the flight for 19 minutes, but the plane crashed at Duxford Airfield just after 1:40 p.m. Kate Moore, who witnessed the accident, said, ``When I heard a bang, I turned around and saw smoke rising.''



A total of 10 ambulances and fire engines were called to the scene following the incident, but despite the best efforts of emergency services, Mr Riggs was pronounced dead at the scene. At the time of writing, the Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is investigating the cause of the crash.



Mr Riggs' son Sam Marshall said: 'It is with a heavy heart that we share this news. He was loved by all and lived his life to the fullest. My father will be greatly missed. 'Sho.' Another son, Frank Marshall, said, ``My father was a wonderful person. He made my mother happy.''

Andreas Kretschmer, a former colleague of Mr Riggs, also expressed his condolences: ``Simon Riggs was more than just my boss, he was a family member. I am shocked to hear of his death.'' I would like to express my deepest condolences to his wife Karen Riggs and their children.'

In addition, the PostgreSQL development team published a blog article titled ``In memory of Simon Riggs.'' 'The PostgreSQL development team is deeply saddened by the passing of our long-time friend and colleague Simon Riggs on March 26, 2024. Mr. Riggs will be missed by all who knew him. The PostgreSQL Project extends its deepest condolences to his family and friends.'

Josh Berkus, a friend of Mr. Riggs, said, ``If it weren't for him, PostgreSQL would not have become the world-leading database management system it is today.''


Mr. Berkus also shares his memories of Mr. Riggs during his lifetime.

in Software, Posted by log1r_ut