2008-07-25 14:49:07

Randy Pausch

I was saddened this morning to hear that Randy Pausch has lost his battle with pancreatic cancer.

Pausch was a CS professor at Carnegie Mellon who became famous for his Last Lecture, delivered in September 2007 and later published as a bestselling book.  He was also the creator of the Alice software project.

When a famous person dies, I often find myself appreciating their work, but I usually cannot say that I feel a personal sense of loss.  Richard Harris was fantastic in every role I have seen him play, but I doubt he and I would have found much to talk about.  For me, Randy Pausch is a special case.  All of us are lucky to have access to his work, but I think the people who really knew him are even more fortunate.  I wish I was one of them.

Every man dies.  Not every man truly lives.  Rest in peace, Dr. Pausch.  You truly lived.