By RAMIT PLUSHNICK-MASTI, Associated Press Writer Fri Jul 25, 12:03 PM ET
PITTSBURGH - Randy Pausch, the Carnegie Mellon University computer scientist whose "last lecture" about facing terminal cancer became an Internet sensation and a best-selling book, died Friday. He was 47.
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 lecture was for my kids, but if others are finding value in it, that is wonderful," Pausch wrote on his Web site. "But rest assured; I'm hardly unique."
"We don't beat the reaper by living longer, we beat the reaper by living well and living fully," he said.
__________________________________________________
He was an inspiring man, and a definite inspiration to me. I wrote down a few of the things he said in his lecture when he was on the Oprah show.
- “Have fun all the time!”
- “Allow children individual creativity.”
- “Live a little…things are just things!”
- “Be a TIGGER, not an Eeyore….Tiggers are optimistic and enthusiastic; Eeoyores wallow in self pity!”
- “Tell the TRUTH!”
- “When you screw up, say “I’m sorry,” and ask how you can make it right!”
- “Show gratitude!”
- “Don’t complain - just work harder!!!”
- “If you lead your life in the right way…good things will come to you.”
- “The biggest regrets we have are the things we don’t do!”
- “Combine hope and realism to find the reality of hope!”
"We don't beat the reaper by living longer, we beat the reaper by living well and living fully."
He is a true example of someone who practiced what he preached. Thank you Randy for leaving us these great and inspiring words of wisdom!
It is rare that we take a family picture, because I'm the one that usually takes the pictures! Thanks Sarah!!
This is Abigail, our friends Cory and Sarah's little girl. Isn't she adorable?!!
Abigail with our little bubble faced Madison! :)
Abigail and Madison
We finally got a shot of Tyler in the air....thanks Cory for your awesome camera skills! :) Isn't my hubby a baller! We had such a blast on Saturday out at Lake Mead! It was a perfect afternoon/ evening out at the lake...we couldn't have asked for better weather or better water!! Thanks Bethany and Jeff for a fun time out on the lake!
