Quoted from Bud:

Uh yeah, who said anything about theoretical physics? Einstein utilized theory, he had ideas that he couldn't come up with theory, or theory was thought of and the result was completely different from the theory. I don't understand where you are going with this. He had an idea, experiments and observations that led to a "law" of physics. He utilized the scientific process, nobody is arguing that.

I agree with you, and I'm not getting into any "pissing matches". I haven't said anything bad about Hawking, or Billy Graham like frippertron mentioned, though some have. Both individuals had aspects in their life that I don't agree with, but I don't go thread bashing. If anything I have tried to say good things about both of them but still get thumbed down, I don't get it.
I suppose I am of the opinion that these RIP threads should be shutdown as so many have stated and proven to be a "pissing match". I would say the exception would be to people who are related to pinball, collectors, designers or anybody directly related to pinball.