Jeez, I hadn't even thought about LeGuin passing, but it would make me mighty sad.

Honestly? It's been so long since I read GRRM's stuff that I will have to reread it whenever the next book comes out, just so I know what's going on. While it would make me sad to have him pass, I'd just file his stuff next to the War Against the Chtorr, and go on from there.

I would be sorry to hear of Gaiman's passing, though I don't think I need to worry about that any time real soon. Likewise, Timothy Zahn.

REH and Tolkien are already dead, so that hardly counts.