It was he and his team's belief that computers would one day come to mirror that of the human mind, and although the world isn't quite there yet, it grows closer to Kirsch's vision every day.
Kirsch worked for over 50 years as a scientist for what is now known as the National Institute of Science and Technology in Maryland. It was known as the U.S. National Bureau of Standards when he worked there. Kirsch left Maryland in 2001 and moved to Portland. He had dementia in his later years.Kirsch is survived by his wife Joan Kirsch, whom he had been with for 65 years, and his sons Walden and Peter and his daughters Lindsey and Kara. Wesley LeBlanc is a freelance news writer and guide maker for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @LeBlancWes.