25 July 2008

Godspeed, Randy Pausch

From Associated Press:
Prof whose 'last lecture' became sensation dies
44 minutes ago

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Randy Pausch, a Carnegie Mellon University computer scientist whose "last lecture" about facing terminal cancer became an Internet sensation and a best-selling book, has died. He was 47.

University spokeswoman Anne Watzman says Pausch died early Friday at his home in Virginia.

Pausch was diagnosed with incurable pancreatic cancer in September 2006. His popular last lecture at Carnegie Mellon in September 2007 garnered international attention and was viewed by millions on the Internet.

In it, Pausch celebrated living the life he had always dreamed of instead of concentrating on impending death.

The book "The Last Lecture, " written with Jeffrey Zaslow, topped best-seller lists after its publication in April.


I'll probably re-watch The Last Lecture again today, and probably hug my kids a few extra times.
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2 comments:

Chesher Cat said...

I love Randy Pausch. What an incredible role model. Especially in the face of adversity.

After you watch The Last Lecture (again) make sure you check out the Time Management lecture he gave at the University of Virginia.

Very cool dude.

MaryAn Batchellor said...

Really weird. With Randy Pausch, you can't say his passing was such a tragedy because it was that very passing that he used to inspire so many others. Turned tragedy on its head, so to speak. Amazing guy.