Incredibly sad day and loss to us all in pinball. Sincere condolences to Penni, his family and his close friends. Reading through this thread really demonstrates how nice a guy he was. Taking time out to speak and play pinball with young people at shows speaks volumes about him as a person.

I own many of his games and now they all seems just that bit more special than they did yesterday. I remember agonisingly trying to decide whether of not to buy one of my 1st NIB games, Metallica LE it was. What if it's a dud, what if I don't like it.....then I read Lyman was coding it and all my concerns faded away.

RIP Lyman. I hope you passed due to natural causes and the black beast wasn't an influence.

Please do a special edition of the Pinball Magazine featuring Lyman and his work, with interviews or stories from as many of his colleagues as possible. I'm sure it would be a fitting tribute and one that many people would like to own & read.

Oh wow, so incredibly sad, poor Lyman and family. As is always the case with mental illness and suicide, if only anyone and everyone could help change the mindset of the person suffering, would it have made a difference? Unfortunately we will never know.

Having known someone who did this exact thing, it worried me greatly that Lyman had similar issues, he seemed to have a very similar personality. If anyone reading this is struggling, please speak to your doctor, a close friend or family member, seek help, stay with us.

So very true. What others would say, do or think if told doesn't matter. It's the mindset of the person suffering that matters. For some, where a connection is made a breakthrough can occur and a recovery is possible. For others it ends in sadness. Apparently the sufferer feels a peace once they've made their choice and makes plans to end their life. It's just so incredibly sad for everone involved, including the person suffering.

Well said. It seems to be the case all over the world, it definitely is here in Australia. When someone commits suicide, it's hushed up, not reported in the news and very few hear about it unless they have some connection to the family or emergency services. Perhaps it's done in respect for the family and loved ones, left up to them to disclose if they wish. This needs to change for change to occur. The spotlight needs to be shone on depression and anxiety, help is needed, not covering it up due to the fear of shame, dented pride or social standing.

Incredibly sad moment that doesn't seem real. Until now it was like some sort of alternate reality, just like so many things in the last few years. The world isn't supposed to be this way, surely?? The service made it real and the outpouring of emotion both in the words spoken by family and friends and the posts on the tribute wall really show just how much Lyman means to so many people. He will be missed by so many, many that never knew him personally and those so very close to him. RIP Lyman.

Just recently listened to every word of this. What a truly awesome interview, so glad it was made available for everyone to listen too. It was nice to hear Lyman's voice again and get an inside into his thought process of developing the software for a game. He must have devoted so much of himself into each game he made and then updated sometime years later, well after the game was completed and sold. So much of his time and energy went into each game. You can hear in his voice just how much effort it was, when he describes the process, of just how much of a toll it took and what it meant to him to be able to work from home.

A truly genuine person that we are all going to miss and hopefully remember him for what he did. Such a shame he wasn't able to deal with his demons. Hopefully now, he rests in peace and if there is an afterlife, he's enjoying himself, just being him.

Hard to believe it's been a year since I read the terrible news here on Pinside. Such a shame he made that choice. RIP Lyman.

Completely agree.