I never have gotten into chef shows or culture so I really don't know much about about the man. One thing though that I can totally agree with you on is your closing remark, "You left us far too soon." My reasoning on the agreement is that he and I were born in the same year and I like to think, in my mind at least, that I am still young with many more years left on this earth.
I do remember your post when he died and it doesn't seem like two years have gone by that quickly but I'm sure it has. Good of you to honor him again Eric.