You’re correct, I forgot about him. Have you read the son’s books? They move the story but seriously lack his father’s enormous skill.
I’m currently reading “The Machine Crusade” and yes nothing compares to the original. Frank Herbert was a genius and Dune is so complicated and profound at times it never grows old to me. I find myself re-reading them every couple of years. Herbert and Tolkien remain 2 of my favorite authors.
The whole Dune epic started out great but quickly went downhill. In the hands of Herbert fils, it turned completely into pulp.