Randy Pausch: The Last Lecture, a genius and a force of nature

Jai and Randy Pausch, and their children Logan, front left, Dylan and Chloe.

Dr. Randy Pausch (Oct. 23, 1960 – July 25, 2008), a Carnegie Mellon University computer-science and human-computer interaction and design professor best known for his inspiring "Last Lecture," passed away today in Chesapeake, Virginia, after losing a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 47.

Professionally, Pausch was known for developing Alice, a computer programming environment for children. Alice enables novice computer users to create 3-D computer animations using a drag-and-drop interface.

Dr. Pausch will perhaps be best remembered for a surprisingly humorous and deeply moving lecture called the talk "The Last Lecture" because he had recently been told by doctors he had only months to live due to pancreatic cancer that had spread to his liver. He was first diagnosed with the terminal illness in 2006.

The Last Lecture gave Pausch celebrity in his last days. He survived for nearly a year after the lecture and was able to spread the teachings of his lecture through numerous public appearances during that time.

In The Last Lecture, Pausch provided simple guidance to help people live valuable lives and achieve their childhood dreams based on lessons he said he learned throughout his life. He emphasized that rather than seek material wealth, people should seek meaningful interactions with other people, and treat the people they encounter in their lives with the compassion and respect that come with forming lasting and true relationships.

The lecture also included simple advice for overcoming adversity and criticism people face every day to achieve important life goals, and guidance for making genuine apologies and amends to loved ones when necessary.

He is survived by his wife Jai, and their three children Logan, Dylan and Chloe.

The Last Lecture by Dr. Randy Pausch