For those who've missed this, Randy Pausch was a Professor at Carnegie Melon University (CMU) who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the summer of 2006.  I say "was" a Professor because Randy finally succumbed to his illness on Friday, dying at the age of 47.

However, none of this is what makes him special.  What makes him special is the way he dealt with this diagnosis, and a prognosis of certain death.  Randy did what we all like to believe we'd do, but I for one am not sure I'm strong enough to do.  He dealt with it head on.  He didn't shut down, withdraw, and just fade away.  He accepted his fate, understood it, and then proceeded to continue living. 

This is epitomized in his amazing Last Lecture. 

You see, it turns out that CMU has (or I guess had) a lecture series called the Last Lecture.  It's purpose was for professor's to deliver a lecture that would be what they'd want to say if they could only give one last lecture.  Well, for Randy, it really was his last lecture.  And it's great.  It's long (over an hour), and if you think you don't have the time to watch it, trust me, you are wrong.

He truly did leave an enduring legacy.  I just hope I don't forget it too quickly.  Especially the part about being meeting Captain Kirk.  :-)

RIP