Metroid Database.com

It is with a heavy heart that we report on the recent passing of former President and Chairman of Nintendo, Hiroshi Yamauchi, at 85. Yamauchi was the great-grandson (non-blood relative) of the founder of Nintendo, and helped form Nintendo into the video game powerhouse that it is today. He stepped down from the role of President in 2002, which was when Satoru Iwata took over, the first non-relative President in the company's history.

There is some thorough history with Yamauchi and Nintendo (i.e. ex NOA-Prez Minoru Arakawa married Yamauchi's daughter), and for those interested, I would recommend reading through the book Game Over by David Sheff. Yamauchi is said to have had a net worth of approx $2.5 billion. Cause of death is complications of pneumonia. He is survived by his two daughters, Yoko and Fujiko, and his son, Katsuhito.

UPDATE: Hirokazu "Hip" Tanaka, better known as the composer of the original Metroid and many other Nintendo titles, and is now president of Creatures Inc., has written two songs as a tribute to his former boss, who likely helped him get where he is today. The first song is a Super Mario Land remix, and the second is a Metroid one. They are mixes of the end credits themes for both titles. Thanks Emperor Ing from the forum for the heads up!

Song 1
Song 2

--Infinity's End