In Memory Of Randy Pausch

“If you lead your life the right way, the karma will take care of itself. The dreams will come to you.”

On a September day last fall, professor of Computer Science Randy Pausch gave his final lecture to his students and colleagues at Carnegie Mellon University.  You see, Randy Pausch had only months to live and wanted to share his dreams and passion with those he cared most about.  That lecture, “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams” was delivered on September 18, 2007 in an auditorium at CMU.  If you’d like to see and hear what Randy has to say, click the video below.  Be prepared for an hour of both smiles and tears.

I never met Randy Pausch, but I’m amazed and inspired by his words of passion and love.  My son, Josh, was on campus at the time and a part of the community that he loved.  And, as so many who teach do, his subject area was computer science, but he taught of joy, life, and dreams.

Randy Pausch died at age 47 on July 25, 2008.  His spirit remains alive through all he reached.

Living Life Well

Randy Pausch, (October 23, 1960) is a Professor of Computer Science, Human-Computer Interaction, and Design at Carnegie Mellon University, where my son Joshua proudly attends. Professor Pausch was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2006, and in August, 2007, told he only had a few months left.

Since that time, he has become well known for the insight and inspiration in his “Last Lecture” to his students at Carnegie Mellon. Since that talk in the fall of 2007, he has appeared on several TV shows and written a positive and inspirational book about his path.

Here is the link to his web site, where you will find videos and commentary.

Recently Professor Pausch gave a speech at the Carnegie Mellon commencement that brought tears to my eyes. No words are necessary; take the 6 minutes to watch and hear this amazingly positive man.