Conversely, what better way for a non-coder to show genuine appreciation for a technical individuals talents, than by showing that he/she is an engaged student of their craft?

I'm a non-technical co-founder, but I'm learning to code. Along with all the other obvious advantages already shared in this thread, there is an intangible benefit that my technical co-founder appreciates.

It's hard to measure, but my interest in coding communicates a deep level of respect for him and his contributions. Contrast this with the classic "Whartonite Seeks Code Monkey" type. Which type do you want to work with?

Learning to code should be celebrated and encouraged. Nobody loses.