Remembering Lunar
Software Heritage mourns the loss of Lunar, aka Jérémy Bobbio, a member of the engineering team whose innovative ideas and iconoclastic spirit made a lasting impact on our organization.
Lunar was a bright light on our team from the moment they joined us in September 2022. In fact, they were the spark that ignited many collaborations, including our first team seminar, a tradition that continues to inspire us today.
They always paid attention to creating safe and inclusive spaces, both in the Software Heritage team and the broader community. Despite their illness, which would have justified them stopping work long ago, Lunar chose to continue contributing to our project until the very end.
We cannot express the gratitude we feel for the time and energy they dedicated to Software Heritage. Their creativity, empathy and dedication left a lasting impression on us all.
Here are some reflections from the team.
Lunar was a special person, bringing light all around. I met Lunar when he joined the Software Heritage team in September 2022, and the first thing we worked on together was the documentation sprint and the SWHAP Days event. Lunar was eager to contribute wherever he could, not only in technical and development tasks. He had an interesting perspective on the world that made me think differently about many subjects I felt certain of. Working together, talking, or just sharing time in weekly meetings was invaluable. I learned so much from him, and I was truly blessed to have crossed paths with such a tender and positive soul as Lunar. I will miss him very much. We will continue what he started with many team-building rituals. My thoughts are with his family, friends, and all those who have lost a loved one — Morane Gruenpeter
I met Lunar when I first arrived at Software Heritage a year and a half ago. We immediately dove into deep discussions about our respective journeys before joining the team, and I remember Lunar pausing, smiling at me, and saying, ‘On est super compatible, non?’ I felt exactly the same. Lunar had that rare talent for creating meaningful connections with people who crossed their path, especially with those of us who sometimes feel inadequate. Lunar became a dear friend, more than a colleague, who taught me how beautiful life could be even when the shit hits the fan. I can’t express how much I will miss them — Mathilde Fichen
I met Lunar the first time at a Bluehats atelier he was leading with Melissa. I was immediately impressed of how thoughtful and dedicated he was. We then randomly met at FLOSS events until we finally became coworkers when I joined Software Heritage. During my time there, he was the light I knew I could always get help and support from. I regret very much I didn’t know him better, but I know he will be very much missed. I send you all my thoughts for this very sad and difficult period — Hélène Jonin
Lunar, it’s been an honor and a privilege to work with you for more than two years. At your side, I’ve learned what courage and elegance truly mean. Your exceptional kindness, your talent and your vision have spread on Software Heritage for the very best, but also in so many other projects and commitments. Beyond the immense sadness of losing you, I treasure the chance I’ve had to cross your path. Farewell Lunar, and thank you for changing the world with so much dedication, conviction and optimism — Benoît Chauvet
I’ve had the incredible fortune to share the geek path of Lunar through life on multiple occasions. First, in Debian, beginning some 15+ years ago, where we were fellow developers and participated in many DebConf editions together…
Later, as a member of the steering committee of Reproducible Builds, a project that Lunar brought to widespread geek popularity with a seminal « Birds of a Feather » session at DebConf13 (and then many other talks with fellow members of the project in the years to come). A decade later, Reproducible Builds is having a major impact throughout the software industry, primarily due to growing fears about the security of the software supply chain.
Finally, we had the opportunity to recruit Lunar a couple of years ago at Software Heritage, where he insisted on working until he was able to, as part of a team he loved, and that loved him back…
I fondly remember one of the last conversations I had with Lunar, a few months ago, when he told me how proud he was not only of having started Nos Oignons and contributed to the ignition of Reproducible Builds, but specifically about the fact that both initiatives were now thriving without being dependent on him. He was likely thinking about a future world without him, but also realizing how impactful his activism had been on the past and present world.
Lunar changed the world for the better and left behind a trail of love and fond memories.
Che la terra ti sia lieve, compagno. — Zack (Stefano Zacchiroli)
It is with great sadness that we learned that Lunar passed away, after a long fight with an incurable illness. Lunar was not only a close friend to many of us but also a cherished colleague and an extraordinary person who touched the lives of everyone around them. Their absence is profoundly felt, and they will be dearly missed — Roberto Di Cosmo
The first time I met Lunar, I immediately felt that we would get along well because his energy, his interesting personality, and especially his values were perfectly aligned with those of the team. His professionalism and his willingness to contribute to various projects, tasks, and document reviews, along with his enthusiasm and dedication, were truly remarkable. I am deeply saddened to see him leave us so soon and at such a young age. He was a wonderful, kind-hearted person — Marla Da Silva
Final thoughts
Lunar passed away peacefully on Friday, November 8, 2024 in Rennes. A final wish was to gather as many friends and loved ones as possible to share stories and celebrate his life in a few months. He also wanted to ensure that financial constraints wouldn’t limit anyone’s ability to attend. To honor his wishes, friends are raising funds to cover travel and accommodation expenses for those who need them.
A dedicated activist, they championed popular education and community efforts, particularly in the realm of digital technology. Lunar was also longtime contributor to the Debian project and a strong advocate for free and open-source software. He co-created the digital education project La Derivation and the community-funded Tor exit nodes, Nos oignons.
They will be missed by many – as tributes from around the web attest:
https://lunar.anargeek.net
https://linuxfr.org/news/deces-de-lunar-un-hacktiviste-pedagogue
https://lwn.net/Articles/997775
https://nos-oignons.net/Actualités/20241110_lunar_est_parti/index.fr.html
Many remember their 2019 talk, « Informatique ou libertés? » (« Computers or Freedom?), where Lunar delivered a memorable performance that challenged us to rethink our relationship with technology and whom it serves. Their iconic look and passionate delivery during the one hour, 53-minute performance made a lasting impression.
They also saw keenly beyond the digital realm, demonstrating their passion for science fiction by taking part – either directly or as a member of les ateliers de l’antémonde – at Sci-Fi festival Les Utopiales (recommended authors include Becky Chambers, Greg Egan, Margaret Killjoy, Jean-Philippe Jaworski) and walking the talk, living in and contributing to a number of activist community spaces in Dijon, Lyon and Grenoble.
“If I had known that computers would take over every aspect of our lives, I would have learned to garden instead,” Lunar, Mastodon bio.