The scientific consciousness community mourns the loss of Francis Crick, the co-discoverer of DNA, who devoted the last several decades of his life to the quest for understanding consciousness and its brain basis. Crick successfully encouraged new experimental research, and in collaboration with Christof Koch, developed testable hypotheses about the brain basis of conscious experience. He helped rescue the topic from an undeserved negative reputation and did much to return it to the forefront of scientific interest. His quick and penetrating mind, kindness to others and leadership in the field will be sorely missed.