Walter M. Miller had a tragic story. Pray for him.
Freegards.
When I read that book it was akin to when I discovered the blues listening to Led Zepplin, as opposed to listening to it because it was rock. I heard those riffs everywhere and gained a new appreciation for Pink Floyd (specifically Shine on You Crazy Diamond). I thought about that book for a long time after I finished it and see echoes of it in many sci fi stories.