His death is a great loss to science indeed. I read your entire post and was about to remark for your not having added the customary R.I.P. but then I saw it at the end. I guess, old habits die hard (excuse the pun).

A man having questioned the afterlife and soul,
Does he now exist as universal foam?

• or has the Lord forgiving his scepticism,
  granted him a place where he now rests in peace?

I like to think it is the latter. For there must be a reward for so much wisdom and immense gifts to humankind. Surely, such does not go by unnoticed ;-)