The Internet Mourns the Loss of a True Pioneer: David J. Farber, the “Grandfather of the Internet,” Dies at 91

The technology world stands in collective mourning today as news spreads of the sudden passing of David J. Farber, the legendary computer scientist whose foundational work helped shape the modern internet. Farber, affectionately known as the “grandfather of the Internet,” died unexpectedly at his home in Roppongi, Tokyo, on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at the age of 91.

The heartbreaking announcement came through the North American Network Operators’ Group (NANOG) mailing list, a forum where the world’s top internet infrastructure experts discuss routing protocols, IP address allocation, and cybersecurity challenges. The message, signed by colleagues who had worked alongside Farber for decades, painted a picture of a man whose influence extended far beyond his technical achievements.

“We are heartbroken to report that our colleague — our mentor, friend, and conscience — David J. Farber passed away suddenly at his home in Roppongi, Tokyo,” the announcement read. “He left us on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, at the too-young age of 91.”

Farber’s journey began at Stevens Institute of Technology, where he developed the passion for engineering and innovation that would define his career. He remained deeply connected to his alma mater throughout his life, serving as a Trustee and returning frequently to inspire the next generation of technologists.

His professional odyssey took him to Bell Labs during its golden age, when the institution was producing groundbreaking innovations that would transform telecommunications. Farber would later reflect on this period with characteristic humility, acknowledging the giants whose shoulders he stood upon: “At both Bell Labs and Rand, I had the privilege, at a young age, of working with and learning from giants in our field. Truly I can say (as have others) that I have done good things because I stood on the shoulders of those giants. In particular, I owe much to Dr. Richard Hamming, Paul Baran and George Mealy.”

From Bell Labs, Farber’s path led him to the RAND Corporation, where he continued pushing the boundaries of what was possible in computer networking and telecommunications. His work during this period laid crucial groundwork for the packet-switching technologies that would eventually evolve into the internet we know today.

Perhaps one of his most significant contributions came through his role as an educator and mentor. Farber taught at some of America’s most prestigious institutions, including the University of California, Irvine; the University of Delaware; the University of Pennsylvania; and Carnegie Mellon University. It was through his students that Farber’s influence truly multiplied, as he guided and inspired the next generation of internet pioneers who would go on to build the digital infrastructure that connects billions of people worldwide.

In 2018, at the remarkable age of 83, Farber embarked on what would become his final professional chapter. He moved to Japan to become Distinguished Professor at Keio University and Co-Director of the Keio Cyber Civilization Research Center (CCRC). This move wasn’t just a career change—it was a testament to Farber’s lifelong passion for learning, teaching, and exploring new frontiers.

“He loved teaching, and taught his final class on January 22, 2026,” his colleagues noted, revealing that Farber had been actively engaged in education until just weeks before his passing. His time in Japan represented a perfect culmination of his career—combining his technical expertise with his deep interest in how technology shapes society and culture.

Beyond his technical accomplishments, Farber lived a remarkably full life. He served as Chief Technologist of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission, bringing his expertise to bear on national telecommunications policy. He became a proficient instrument-rated pilot, demonstrating the same precision and dedication to mastering complex systems that characterized his professional work. He also served as an active board member of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, championing digital civil liberties at a time when the internet was transforming from a specialized tool into a fundamental human right.

The announcement from his colleagues emphasized that “It’s impossible to summarize a life and career as rich and long as Dave’s in our few words here. And each of us, even those who knew him for decades, represent just one facet of his life.” This sentiment captures the essence of Farber’s impact—his influence was so vast and multifaceted that no single perspective could encompass his legacy.

Farber thrived in Japan in every way, his colleagues noted, suggesting that his final years were as fulfilling and impactful as any period in his extraordinary career. The fact that he continued teaching and researching well into his 90s speaks volumes about his intellectual vitality and his commitment to the advancement of technology and knowledge.

The technology community’s response to Farber’s passing has been swift and emotional. Tributes have poured in from across the globe, with internet pioneers, current tech leaders, and students whose lives he touched all sharing their memories and expressing their gratitude for his contributions.

David J. Farber’s legacy is woven into the very fabric of the internet. Every time someone sends an email, streams a video, or connects with someone across the world, they’re benefiting from the foundational work that Farber and his contemporaries established. His students went on to create companies, develop protocols, and build the infrastructure that powers our digital world.

As we mourn the loss of this true pioneer, we also celebrate a life extraordinarily well-lived. David J. Farber didn’t just witness the birth and growth of the internet—he was instrumental in its creation, and his influence will continue to shape our digital future for generations to come. The internet, and indeed the world, is richer for his having been in it.

Tags and Viral Sentences:

Grandfather of the Internet, David J. Farber, internet pioneer, Stevens Institute of Technology, Bell Labs legend, RAND Corporation, University of Pennsylvania, Carnegie Mellon University, Keio University Japan, Cyber Civilization Research Center, FCC Chief Technologist, Electronic Frontier Foundation, internet infrastructure, networking pioneer, digital civil liberties, packet switching, internet protocols, technology mentor, computer science legend, 91-year-old professor, Roppongi Tokyo, NANOG mailing list, internet routing, IP address allocation, malicious activity containment, Richard Hamming, Paul Baran, George Mealy, internet history, technology education, digital transformation, telecommunications innovation, instrument-rated pilot, technology policy, internet evolution, computer networking, Stevens Institute Trustee, internet foundation, technology legacy, digital pioneer, internet architecture, networking protocols, technology mentor, internet infrastructure, computer science education, technology innovation, internet development, digital communication, networking technology, internet pioneer passes away, technology world mourns, internet grandfather dies, legendary computer scientist, technology community tribute, digital infrastructure pioneer, internet creation story, technology education legacy, computer networking pioneer, internet protocol development, technology policy influence, digital civil liberties champion, internet infrastructure expert, computer science mentor, technology innovation legacy, internet history maker, digital communication pioneer, networking technology development, internet foundation builder, technology education pioneer, computer networking legend, internet protocol pioneer, technology policy maker, digital rights advocate, internet infrastructure development, computer science legend passes, technology community loss, internet pioneer legacy, digital communication pioneer passes, networking technology legend, internet foundation creator, technology education mentor, computer networking pioneer passes, internet protocol developer, technology policy influencer, digital rights champion passes, internet infrastructure pioneer passes, computer science education legacy, technology innovation pioneer, internet development legend, digital communication pioneer legacy, networking technology pioneer passes, internet foundation builder passes, technology education pioneer passes, computer networking pioneer legacy, internet protocol pioneer passes, technology policy maker passes, digital rights advocate passes, internet infrastructure pioneer legacy, computer science legend remembered, technology community tribute flood, internet pioneer influence continues, digital communication pioneer remembered, networking technology pioneer legacy, internet foundation creator remembered, technology education mentor remembered, computer networking pioneer remembered, internet protocol developer remembered, technology policy influencer remembered, digital rights champion remembered, internet infrastructure pioneer remembered, computer science education legacy continues, technology innovation pioneer remembered, internet development legend remembered, digital communication pioneer legacy continues, networking technology pioneer remembered, internet foundation builder remembered, technology education pioneer remembered, computer networking pioneer legacy continues, internet protocol pioneer remembered, technology policy maker remembered, digital rights advocate remembered.

,