RIP Randy Pausch

Randy Pausch was such an inspiration to not only myself, but to the world. His book was very difficult for me to read, because I just recently lost my mother to cancer, she was a 26 year breast cancer survivor and it came back for the 4th time and she just couldn't fight it any longer. She was only 68 years old. Randy's book reminded me about my mom so, so much because she was also a teacher and she was given a gift to teach so well. I feel truly blessed to have had her in my life as I'm sure Randy's family feels about such a tremendous man Randy was. His message about making this world a better and we as people to strive to better every day will always resonate within me. God Bless him and his wife and 3 children, I hope that they have peace and love always.

I am very sad to learn of Randy's passing today. I read his book and was completely inspired (like millions of people). May God open his arms to Randy as he is received today in heaven. May God wrap his arms around his wife and children as they grieve for him. God bless to his family.

Randy was a remarkable man. He mesmerized me in his speech and taught me so much about living. The world lost a true gentleman today. God bless his wife and children.

thanks for posting this. that was a wonderful speech, very powerful. through to the end i was very inspired by his words, but watching him leave the podium and kiss his wife afterward really broke my heart.

all the strength in the world to his family, and may his strength be all of ours as well.

I loved the book and was so taken with Randy and Jai on Diane Sawyer's show. What a legacy to leave to their three beautiful children!
A Fan

What an inspiration Randy Pausch is to all of us. Hopefully, through his words and actions, others will take his message to heart and make their lives richer for having heard it. God bless Randy and his family.

I learned when I was 5 months pregnant that I had cervical cancer. They have removed it twice and now it has spread to my ovaries. They want to remove my ovaries but I am only 23 years old, so I would like to think that there is still hope of a normal and healthy life. I started radiation treatment two weeks ago, and it is pure hell. especially when I have a one year old child who only wants to play 24/7. It's very hard. I can imagine having a wife and three small children that are counting on you to live a normal life and to help them cope through YOUR illness. I read that he passed this morning and it brought me to tears. I was extremely negative and played the victim card when I found out about my own illness, until my doctor bought me the Last Lectures book. I thas completely changed my life for the better. I am now positive about beating my disease and living my life to the fullest. I have quotes from Randy up on my bedroom mirror that I read daily, and they help me to get through the rough patches in my week. M yheart goes out to his family, friends and all the rest of those like me, that struggle, and that he sincerely touched in so many ways. RIP You are always in our hearts and thank you for everything. You didn't even know that I existed, but you changed my life anyways. And there was no one else out there that could have given me that gift.

I am sorry that Professor Pausch lost his fight with pancreatic cancer. I hope that his very public struggle with this cancer raises awareness of the need to better fund research into treatment and a cure for this most lethal of cancers.

A wonderful inspiration. My sympathies to the family and friends of the Pausch's.

Hi!

Just read that the guy who's book I gave you, The Last Lecture, died today. How sad :(

Happy Friday!

I am so sad to hear about Randy's death. I closely followed his progress on his website and when he had not updated in about a month, I prayed for a miracle. He was an inspiration and heaven will be a better place.

Randy's book was on my "summer read" list, and I finished it within a day. His is a truly remarkable story, not just about a dying man's last manifest, but how to REALLY live life. My favorite story is about the time he lost $16 in a grocer's self check-out, and wondered whether it was worth the hassle of getting the store manager, filling out forms,etc... you get the picture. He chose to just go on with life. I now find myself questioning these same things. Ask yourself the next time you're cast in a similar situation: is it worth it??

Thank you and God bless you, Randy....and prayers to Jai and the kids.

A sad thing to hear. I recently lost my Great Aunt to pancreatic cancer and it's not a pleasant way to go.
As she would say though, "Ddon't pray for a miracle, make them happen." Donate or help raise money for the Dana Farber Cancer Research Center.

I am very sad for his wife and children. He was such a inspiration for everyone. He will be sadly missed.

Randy was a wonderful man who had a profound grasp of life. He will be deeply missed by all who has been touched by his wisdom. I send my sympathies to his family. He will be deeply missed.

Heaven's gain is our loss. What a class act you were, an example for all of us. RIP...

My thoughts and prayers are with Randy's family. His legacy will live on through all the people he has inspired. God Bless.

We need more people Like Randy in this world, instead of the "me first, to heck with everybody else" types walking around.

We have familys losing their homes, crime through the roof, and the only people the state of Massachusetts wants to help is the Pedophiles.

Randy we need more people like you in this world. RIP you are and always will be a great man & husband and father.

Nice kiss! The guy had style. What a loss to us all.

Randy was a great inspiration to me. I read his book, and realized we all have to live, live, live!!!!!!!!!!!! He changed my life in such a way that words can not begin to describe. God Bless you, and may your family be happy for the wonderful times that were spent together, Good by Randy, and may your legacy live on.

I was not able to buy the "Last Lecture" as I am a little shy of funds these days. However, I was able to read it by going to the local bookstores and reading a copy. I must say, though I have been struggling, this book has been so inspiring. It has kept me going. I wish the best for his family and friends who I know are truly going to miss his all the gifts of his wisdom.

I can understand your not posting my comment, submitted last evening, because it spoke to the significance of Dr. Pausch's carreer and suggested he should be considered for the Presidential Medal of Freedom (posthumous) because of how he exemplified the American Dream to the world. My comments were not in keeping with the eloquent words of fundamental humanitarian support and appreciation so many others had posted, so I can easily accept their not being included.

But if my post could not make it past your review, how possibly could one mentioning pedophilia?

I miss him already and didn't even know him. What a testament Randy is!! My heart is broken for his family and for the world really who he inspired so gracefully. He touched more people through his dying than anyone has done in a while through their living. The world has lost a great man. May God bless his family and comfort them always.

Randy's last lecture should be required viewing for every college student before they graduate. These are life lessons that colleges choose to ignore in their curriculum but are so important for students to absorb as they grow and mature.

Many blessings and much love to Jai, Dylan, Logan and Chloe. Their father will continue to watch over them.

what i got from his story is how much time I waste every single day. get off my butt and DO SOMETHING! call an old friend, spend time with my wife, etc. He must have changed millions of lives.

As I struggled with the ego of a professor hell-bent on destroying my goals and dreams, a friend sent me the link to "The Last Lecture." I sat and watched, wondering at first why my friend sent it to me--what was her message for me within this lecture? Then, as soon as I asked it, there it was--THE ANSWER--Randy's "brick wall" in an attempt to keep him from one of his childhood dreams. I knew immediately that God had sent this message to me to give me strength to continue on my path, to find a new way, to reach my goals and live my dreams--no matter who it was trying to stop or squash me. I read Randy's book as soon as it hit the bookstore shelves. I continued to be blessed by his words and his strength. I watch for his posts every single day and when I saw that he had not posted in a month....I feared, but then I prayed that his last breath would be peaceful and that he would be saying "I love you" to Jai. I prayed for him to have the peace in his final days that his words have given me on my road to a childhood dream. When I get to Heaven....After seeing my family and friends who made it there before me...I am going to sit in on a lecture by Professor Randy Pausch and thank God that he allowed my life to be touched by his while we were on this earth together. What a lecture that will be! Godspeed Professor....my prayers continue for Jai and her children.

I am truly going to miss the presence of such a wonderful human being on this earth. What an inspiration to us all!!!! I got comfort visiting his website because I knew he was still alive and able to communicate with us. When he stopped entering log enteries about a month ago, I just knew the end was coming. I prayed he was not suffering in pain. In one way I was terribly sad for him and his beautiful family but comforted in knowing his physical suffering was going to end. What a terrible shame that such a young, talented, beautiful man was robbed in the prime of his life. There must have been a higher calling. God bless you and your beautiful family!!!!!!!!

We have lost a friend. We did not personally know Randy Pausch but due to his selfless, public speach we were granted the privilege to get to know him during his last journey. My sincere, heartfelt sympathy to his beautiful wife Jai, and his three children, Dylan, Logan and Chloe. Your new journey has just begun. May God give you the strength to move forward without your life partner. May He grant you, your children and Randy's mom and siblings peace through this very difficult time.
Thank you Jai for allowing us to get to know Randy publically during a very painful, private time in your lives. That was truly selfless of you. We all came to love Randy and your family in a very public forum. You and your children are blessed with the private and personal memories of a great man, great husband and great father.
I hope the love (around the world) that surrounds you now will give you the strength you will need for the next leg of your journey. God Bless you and peace be with you now.

I am heartbroken beyond words. My condolences to the Pausch family on their loss. How lucky they are to have known Randy. How lucky we are that they shared him with us.

I am so sorry to hear of Randy Pausch’ passing. I read his book, and research his web site. I never met Randy, but the way he lived life and dying is a testament to what a great human being he was. Randy is an inspiration to all of us…to be better people, to live life and to deal with the cards we were dealt with, no matter what the circumstances are. My heart goes out to his family during this time.

I lost my mother ealier this year. It was unexpected and I was engulfed in grief. My mothr was 81 years old at the time of her death. A good friend encouraged me to read Randy's book, The Last Lecture. He felt that I would appreciate Randy's journey and understand why things happen. Without knowing it, Randy made me want to get back to my life and honor the life my parents had always encouraged me too. I hope that Jai and the children know what a gift, Randy gave to millions of readers. Thank you Jai for sharing the last days that should have been just for you with all of us. God Bless you and your family.

God Bless Randy Pausch!
Thoughts and Prayers with his wife and children!

"The Last Lecture" was on my summer reading list for school. It turned out to be one of the most inspiring books I have ever read, and it's taught me so much about life.
I never knew Randy, but millions of people, including myself, are going to miss him deeply. God bless Jai, Logan, Dylan, Chloe, and everyone else who was lucky enough to have him as a presence in their lives.
R.I.P

"He is Just Away"

"I cannot say, and I will not say
That he is dead ~ He is just away!
With a cheery smile,
and a wave of the hand,
He has wandered into an unknown land,
And left us dreaming how very fair
It needs must be, since he lingers there;
And you ~ O you, who the wildest yearn
For the old-time step and the glad return,
Think of him faring on, as dear
In the love of there as the love of here;
Think of him as the same, I say;
He is not dead ~ He is just away!"

By JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY

I believe this poem describes Randy's desire to explore the unknown.

Jai, may you and the children cherish all the magical moments you shared with Randy. I know you'll always remember his abiding love for each and every one of you. What a legacy he has left for you and for us (friends and strangers)!! Until we meet with him again ... keep living, enjoy every moment and achieve your dreams as he would say.

"He is Just Away"

"I cannot say, and I will not say
That he is dead ~ He is just away!
With a cheery smile,
and a wave of the hand,
He has wandered into an unknown land,
And left us dreaming how very fair
It needs must be, since he lingers there;
And you ~ O you, who the wildest yearn
For the old-time step and the glad return,
Think of him faring on, as dear
In the love of there as the love of here;
Think of him as the same, I say;
He is not dead ~ He is just away!"

By JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY

I believe this poem describes Randy's desire to explore the unknown.

Jai, may you and the children cherish all the magical moments you shared with Randy. I know you'll always remember his abiding love for each and every one of you. What a legacy he has left for you and for us (friends and strangers)!! Until we meet with him again ... keep living, enjoy every moment and achieve your dreams as he would say.

Randy is an amazing soul. To keep his composure and grace amidst his illness is heartbreaking as well as inspirational. He is an incredible role model for all of us. He reminds us all to what life is really about.