Say what you will about their current state of expansion and their froofy blended drinks: Alfred Peet is the reason we have Blue Bottle, Ritual, Intelligentsia, Ecco Café and all of the other players in the thriving independent coffee scene. He was the seminal figure in the revolution that has given the discerning palette a way out of the Folgers fog.

Express your condolences, share your memories at the blog Peet’s has set up in Alfred’s honor.