The "Last Lecture" professor of CMU dies of cancer

by jessica.lam | July 25, 2008 at 12:40 pm | 343 views | 9 comments

Last year, Dr. Randy Pausch gave his Last Lecture. A professor at Carnagie Mellon University, he decided to impart his words of wisdom last fall in the form he knew best: a lecture.

I remember when I watched the clip last year, whether it was through a forwarded email or a forum, I don't remember anymore. What I still remember are his sentiments and the lessons that he wanted to leave. With these captured moments, Dr. Pausch has made his mark on the millions of viewers, and today we are grateful that he taken the effort to remind us of our human strength and fragility.

Randy Pausch, the Carnegie Mellon University computer science professor whose final lecture inspired millions, died early today in Virginia of pancreatic cancer.

Dr. Pausch, 47, who turned the lecture into a book, said that no one would have been interested in his words of wisdom were he not a man in his 40s with a terminal illness, leaving behind a wife and three young children.

According to Dr. Pausch's Web site, a biopsy last week revealed that the cancer had progressed further than expected, based on recent PETscans.

"Since last week, Randy has also taken a step down and is much sicker than he had been," the Web site said. "He's now enrolled in hospice. He's no longer able to post here so I'm a friend posting on his behalf because we know that many folks are watching this space for updates."

What do you remember and what would you say if given the chance?

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mettacara

at 13:07 on July 25th, 2008

good stuff:

jay.el, I like this story. It's good stuff.

tiha zaman

at 13:46 on July 25th, 2008

i love his lecture...and the fact he dedicated it to his kids. A lost indeed

tiha zaman

at 13:47 on July 25th, 2008

good stuff:

jay.el, I like this story. It's good stuff.

lrayholly

at 14:28 on July 25th, 2008

I just discovered Randy Pausch when I read his book. I then found his lecture on the internet. What an inspiration! He didn't speak about dying, he spoke about living! A wonderful legacy to leave us all.

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kristanlh

at 17:32 on July 25th, 2008

Having lasted longer than doctors predicted, Randy Pausch made a surprise appearance at Carnegie Mellon's 2008 Commencement and gave a condensed but still moving speech about following your dreams.

I felt honored to have gotten to hear him in person.

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coolmumu

at 17:35 on July 25th, 2008

I just reviewed this book again last night. I am deeply fulfilled by the life attitude of Professor Randy Pausch.

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tingtingchung

at 09:32 on July 26th, 2008

I was waiting for an appointment in 2007 at CMU when I realized I was right outside the Randy Pausch Labs.

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