It was because of him, Mike Portnoy, Gavin Harrison and Danny Carey that I became some sort of a 'closeted' drummer, just never had the chance to buy a drum kit either because no space and/or picky neighbors. His passing really hits me as he showed me (along the other guys, coincidentally influenced by him) how the drums could be so much more than a 'beat machine' and really soar to new heights composition-wise.
Farewell, Professor...