Beyond the litany of accomplishments, which includes more than 20 books, those who knew Sorkin personally will miss his friendship most. “Everyone will pay tribute to him as a great intellect and writer. He was that but also so much more,” said Tau Tavengwa, co-founder Cityscapes magazine, in an email to Quartz. “Michael was funny, generous and a joy to be around—a true humanist. I spent New Year’s eve with him…We laughed all night. That’s how I will remember him.”

Sorkin is the most renowned architect lost to the coronavirus pandemic to date. He is survived by his wife, Joan Copjec, an editor and professor at Brown University.

Earlier this month, 92-year-old Milanese architect Vittorio Gregotti died from pneumonia after contracting Covid-19.

📬 Sign up for the Daily Brief

Our free, fast, and fun briefing on the global economy, delivered every weekday morning.