<p>I don't see it as depressing. We all die. Randy Pausch died after accomplishing most of his dreams, while enriching the lives of many people, and after leaving a legacy that will allow his widow and children to know how much he loved them.</p>
<p>Most people don't accomplish those things even if they live decades longer than Pausch did. </p>
<p>If any of us died tomorrow, would any of us have accomplished half of what Pausch did -- particularly what he was able to do to let his family know who he was and much he loved them. </p>
<p>My father died when he was in his mid 70s. While I grew up in an intact home, my father never took the time to get to know my brother or me or to let us get to know him. He didn't even bother to spend much time at home for special days like Christmas or his birthday. Randy Pausch lived his truncated life in a way so that even his toddler had more of an opportunity to be with him than I ever had to be with my dad.</p>
<p>I like your attitude, northstarmom. The saddest part is that he can't continue to inspire others through his lectures. Students will have to go by what he has left for us.</p>
<p>The Brown U website has a tribute to Randy Pausch as well as a link to a full-feature article from the Brown Alumni Magazine; the article is very well worth reading for folks seeking to learn more about this amazing man.</p>
<p>I saw Pausch's last lecture on YouTube, and I got so much out of it, really. I felt like he was one of my own professors talking to me. He seemed really warm and personable. As for being remembered after one dies, I don't think it matters how many people remember you, but how you are remembered. If you can fill your life with good actions, you will undoubtedly leave a lasting mark on the people in your life, and that tends to trickle down to those around you, and those who come after you. I think that's the best anyone can hope for in the end. :)</p>
<p>Northstarmom, I think Mr. Pausch would disagree with you if you were to tell him as he wasted away in the past few months that leaving three his little children without a daddy at the relatively young age of 47 is not depressing. And yes, he accomplished many things. It doesn't mean he was done. This was a man in the prime of his life, still contributing to and enjoying everything the world has to offer. And now life will go on without him. That, to me, is pretty depressing. . . or at least unfair.</p>
<p>gettinin- I think you are missing northstarmom's point. As you said he accomplished many things and life will go on without him. The fact that he was such an engaging and inspirational man, life will go on and he will continue to impact people's lives. Death is something that happens, and that is very fair, yes it is unfortunate that his children and family have to go through this...but to me this is far from depressing. He was uplifting. His spirit, passion and lessons in life will continue to live strong and his children will grow up knowing that they had a father that never took life for granted and wanted to accomplish his goals while influence others. To me that is amazing.</p>
<p>I'm not missing the point at all. Yeah, it's great that he's done all these amazing things and sent an inspiring message throughout the world. But to say that it's not depressing at all seems a little cold and simplistic.</p>
<p>Unfair, perhaps from one perspective, but although he was an intelligent and influential person, his death is no more unfair than anyone else's death. Because we recognize him we maybe perceive his death to have a much stronger effect, but is not everyone's death equally sad? I don't think Northstarmom was discounting the nature of death as a sad occasion. In this moment, yes, of course, it is deeply sad news, but, from a grander scope, the lasting effect of his work and his deeds far outweighs the sadness of his death. Even in the future, it is far more likely that people will memorialize him than pity him.</p>
<p>"Northstarmom, I think Mr. Pausch would disagree with you if you were to tell him as he wasted away in the past few months that leaving three his little children without a daddy at the relatively young age of 47 is not depressing. And yes, he accomplished many things. It doesn't mean he was done. This was a man in the prime of his life, still contributing to and enjoying everything the world has to offer. And now life will go on without him. That, to me, is pretty depressing. . . or at least unfair."</p>
<p>I truly think that Randy Pausch was a remarkable man and lived a life worth celebrating.</p>
<p>I don't find it unfair or depressing that he died of the terminal illness that brought him to my attention and to the attention of many other ordinary people around the world to whom he became an inspiration.</p>
<p>No one is guaranteed a long life. Everyone will die. I don't see anything unfair in the fact that he died at age 47 leaving a widow and young children who understandably will mourn him. Certainly the fact that such a promising, inspirational person died at a relatively young age leaving a wife and children is sad, but I don't see it or life in general as being fair or unfair. </p>
<p>As Pausch said, "We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand."</p>
<p>What I think are depressing are adults who die without accomplishing any of their dreams or touching anyone's life in an inspirational way.</p>
<p>We were at the CMU graduation commencement this year, and the surprise appearance of Randy Pausch as a speaker was like electricity through the crowd. He gave yet another wonderful and inspiring speech and the crowd was truly enthusiastic. As he walked off stage, he swept his wife off her feet and carried her offstage. This can also be viewed on u-tube, search for cmu commencement. The University and the world is a lesser place with his passing.</p>
<p>Kittymom, I just came here to this discussion to recommend viewing that video myself - how inspiring it must have been to see him. His life was no more nor less important than any, but he did live it much more fully than most people I know and I am so grateful he shared his energy and humor and intelligence and mostly his passion in the manner that he did, -headfake number two notwithstanding, his speeches will make a difference to many lives - mine too I know.</p>
<p>He left a wonderful legacy for his children. The world is going to miss him, but his kids should be proud that their dad was such a wonderful and inspirational man.</p>