On July 25th, 2008 the world lost another great man. A wife lost a good husband. 3 kids lost a wonderful father.
Randy Pausch was one of the most inspiring people I’ve ever heard speak. Granted it was only through the internet and tv but nonetheless his words resonated so well that it’s been stuck with me ever since. I’m already a very positive person but I was still blown away by this man.
He gained fame from his “Last Lecture”. A presentation he gave in front of a jam packed audience over at Carnegie Melon University where he was a professor at.
The “Last Lecture” was a presentation on how to live life well. There’s a tradition for professors at CMU to give a hypothetical last lecture. In his case it wasn’t hypothetical. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and was give months to live. Instead of wallowing in self pity, he chose to live the rest of his life as best as he can. He wanted to leave a legacy for his kids. Something that when his kids look back on they can be proud of their dad.
Randy Pausch finally succumbed to cancer on July 25th ending the battle with cancer.
To Randy, I did not have the pleasure to meet you in person but know that your words will live in my heart forever. You’ve managed to inspire a lot of people all over the world, this person included. You have made the world a better place.
I hope you’re happy up there in heaven. I hope to meet you there someday. Although I hope that it isn’t soon.
Read the story of Randy’s legacy, watch the “Last Lecture” here and buy the book here.