The Lighter Side of Transformation

April 8, 1961 – January 19, 2025

“I think we dream so we don’t have to be apart for so long. If we’re in each other’s dreams, we can be together all the time.” ― A.A. Milne, Winnie the Pooh

Gary Scott Malkin, a pioneering software engineer, peacefully died at the Southern New Hampshire Hospital in Nashua, NH, at age 63 on January 19, 2025. He was known for his valuable contributions to the development of the internet.

Gary was born on April 8, 1961, in Fayetteville, NC.  Gary’s family moved to Long Island where he attended Dix Hills High School in Huntington. He continued his education at Boston University, where he completed his Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (BSCS)  and Master of Science in Computer Science (MS in CS).

Gary was a long-standing member of the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) and the IETF User Services Advisory Council. He wrote and edited many popular IETF Requests for Comments (RFCs). Gary also wrote over 20 books and articles, including the Comprehensive Networking Glossary and Acronym Guide, The TAO of IETF and RIP: An Intra-Domain Routing Protocol.   

Gary was a full-time Principal Software Engineer at several large software companies, including Nortel Inc., Xylogics, Inc, Spartacus Inc. and most recently with the Oracle Corporation.

In his last 15 years working at Oracle, he was a senior software engineer and enjoyed working with his exemplary team in Nashua, NH. He loved the stimulating meetings with his local and international peers. He savored his convivial lunches in the cafeteria with dear friends. Gary took advantage of Oracle’s excellent in-house gym and walking paths, using his time well on the beautiful Oracle Campus in Nashua.

Gary had several creative passions throughout his life. First, he cherished laughter and good comedians. In his college days at Boston University, he and his friends enjoyed the zany hilarity of the Boston comedy scene. In his later years, he continued to follow comedians Jeff Dunham, Jim Gaffigan, Rita Rudner, John Pinette and Richard Jeni to name a few.

Second, Gary was an avid science fiction reader. His favorite sci-fi book was HELLSPARK, by Janet Kagan. He also loved all of the Star Trek and Stargate television series, Babylon 5, and many other long form sci-fi productions.

Gary was also a huge fan of Winnie the Pooh.  He cultivated his own Pooh philosophy and was able to quote large sections of A. A. Milne’s books from memory.  “People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day,”  he would quote Milne and laugh at the paradox of his life.

Third, Gary was a culinary genius in the kitchen. He gained mastery over marinating and grilling meats to perfection, and enjoyed creating healthy meals for his wife, Lisa Wessan, who appreciated his low-carb chocolate mousse, zero-carb mac and cheese (made with riced cauliflower), and his extraordinary air-fried coconut shrimp with mango jalapeno dipping sauce, to name a few of his healthier specialties.

Gary was a kind and generous friend, and for many years Gary loved to entertain at home. He made delightful dinner parties, where he would show off his whimsical and delicious creations for his friends and family.  

Gary was also quick to lend a helping hand if someone was building a shed, or needed some house repairs. He was extremely talented and gifted with his hands, and could truly repair almost anything. His wife affectionately called him “My Cosmic Pooh Bear Wizard” which captured many of his remarkable traits in one phrase.

Throughout his life Gary was extremely committed to donating blood. For over 20 years he donated monthly platelets in a three-hour pheresis process to the Red Cross. He also gave whole blood every eight weeks for most of his adult life.

He is survived by his wife, Lisa Wessan and their beloved two kitties, Yum-Yum and Qtip; his mother, Rona Malkin;  his step father, Jerry Yellen, and his sister, Donna Shine.

💙 In lieu of flowers, please send donations to one of Gary’s favorite charities:  Memorial Gifts | ASPCA or Honor and memorial gifts | Habitat for Humanity. 💙