You started off as a useless spammer. Yet, now when you quit, many notice, and most will care. This is a sign of your contributions, and your ability to improve. It is arguably more impressive to go from useless spammer to great contributor than to go from unknown person to great contributor.
When I quit, few will notice, and less will care. I do not pretend to aspire to be you, but you lost my respect and then earned it back. Normally when people lose my respect they stay there. I don't pretend that my respect means anything to you, but the same probably holds true for people better (and worse) than I. You will have made significantly more of a mark of the community than most people ever will.
Not only that, but OldTrees even said more than "You will be missed." on your Farewell thread =D