STEPHEN HAWKING, the world-famous theoretical physicist, has died at the age of 76. He passed away in the early hours of this morning (Mar 14) at his home in Cambridge, said his family.

In a statement, his children Lucy, Robert and Tim said: “We are deeply saddened that our beloved father passed away today.

“He was a great scientist and an extraordinary man whose work and legacy will live on for many years.

“His courage and persistence with his brilliance and humour inspired people across the world. He once said, ‘It would not be much of a universe if it wasn’t home to the people you love.’ We will miss him forever.”

But the summer of 2010 was one which many Pembrokeshire youngsters will find hard to forget, as it when Professor Hawking spent several days in the south of the county.

Young computer enthusiast Daniel Goodridge, from Milford Haven, was one of those who happened to be in Tenby when Stephen Hawking visited.

Daniel told The Herald: “In September 2010 I was in one of the sweet shops in Tenby when my girlfriend, Amy, said she saw Stephen Hawking go past the window in his wheelchair. I said no, it can’t be, but we went outside and chased after him and asked if we could have our picture taken.”

Mel Phillips of Pembroke has a vivid recollection of that summer. She said: “I was having lunch in the Kings Arms Hotel Pembroke a few years ago and went to the bar to get some drinks.

“Someone asked me to stand back as a wheelchair was coming through.  It was summer and I had a pair of flip flops on.

“I didn’t stand back far enough and the back end wheel of the chair clipped the side of my foot.

“The pain!”

She added: “The barman said ‘that’s your claim to fame Mel, Stephen Hawking ran over your foot!!’  Apparently that had been his second visit to the Kings Arms.”

Army cadets who were fundraising in Tenby said at the time that they were ‘delighted’ to meet the famous professor.

“Lee is a great ambassador for the cadet force and he looked so proud stood next to Professor Hawking,” said instructor Janet Clark.

On the same day, theoretical physicist Professor Hawking, then aged 68, visited the Tenby House Hotel for lunch.

Lesley Fisher said: “We were very very pleased to see him – I did say a quick hello, but tried not to disturb his meal.”

Hawking also dined at the Carew Inn and visited Carew Castle and Pembroke.

Scientists and famous figures around the world are paying tribute to Hawking. Brian Cox said on Twitter: “Sad to hear about Stephen Hawking. What a remarkable life. His contributions to science will be used as long as there are scientists, and there are many more scientists because of him. He spoke about the value and fragility of human life and civilisation and greatly enhanced both”

Sean Carroll, a physics professor at US university Caltech, said: “Stephen Hawking was the rare famous scientist who deserved every bit of his fame. A brilliant physicist and an inspirational person. And quite a character.”

“Stephen Hawking was a great physicist, a great public communicator, and a great icon for science and rationalism throughout the world.  He will be sorely missed,” said Paul Nurse, director of the Francis Crick Institute in London.

NASA tweeted: “Remembering Stephen Hawking, a renowned physicist and ambassador of science. His theories unlocked a universe of possibilities that we & the world are exploring. May you keep flying like superman in microgravity, as you said to astronauts on the Space Station in 2014.”

Prof Hartle told BBC Radio 4’s Today: “What was unique about him was that he had a marvellous ability to see through all the clutter in physics and to see what the essential points are and that, of course, was a great thing for going forward.”

He added: “My memory of him would be on several fronts: first our work together, as a scientist, and second as a human being whose whole story is of triumph over adversity and who inspired a lot of people, including me.”

But locally, professor Hawking will be remembered by those who were fortunate enough to meet him on those sunny days in Pembroke and Tenby.