Umberto Eco, renowned Italian philosopher, author, and semiotician, passed away on February 19th, 2016 at the age of 84. Born on January 5th, 1932 in Alessandria, Eco was a pioneer in Semiotics, the study of interpretation and representation. As a professor of both Semiotics and Philosophy at the University of Bologna, Eco created, studied and wrote about many diverse topics, ranging from literary criticism, philosophy and ecology, to religion and politics. His lifetime work led to the publishing of various influential books, most notably his novel The Name of the Rose, which went on to be an award-winning international bestseller. He also wrote many significant essays, including The Role of the Reader: Explorations in the Semiotics of Texts, which became an instant classic. Throughout his academic and publishing career, Eco was recognized and awarded for his work, including most notably the Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres, a prestigious French government award. Eco is remembered for his active intelligence and prolific writing, as well as his continuous contribution to the understanding of philosophical thought. He is survived by his wife, two children and four grandchildren.