Smithers

Smithers was a cowardly scientist who worked in the Black Mesa complex. He only appears in the Blast Pit level of Half-Life.

Half-Life
When there was a power failure, Smithers was sent by another scientist to fix it. When Smithers arrived at the generator, he found it overrun by Xenian lifeforms and simply hid on top of the gigantic generator, where they could not see him. Since he did not accomplish his task and did not return, the other scientists grew doubtful of his survival and frightened for their own lives.

Gordon Freeman, however, was on hand to do the task. Upon stepping onto the generator, he encountered Smithers, who refused to move until the situation grew better. When Freeman turned on the generator, Smithers grew startled and screamed, then fell to his death. It is unclear if Smithers died because he was shocked by the generator (and so was inadvertantly killed by Freeman) or if he panicked and fell (or jumped) off.

Trivia
Smithers may be named after the sycophantic character named Smithers on The Simpsons.