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July 25th, 2008

Last Lecture Professor Randy Pausch Loses Battle with Pancreatic Cancer

Health News posted 4 years ago by The Healia Team

Randy Pausch, who delivered the infamous “Last Lecture” at Carnegie Mellon University, died today at the age of 47. Pausch was diagnosed with incurable pancreatic cancer in September 2006. His popular last lecture was delivered at Carnegie Mellon on September 18, 2007 and has been viewed by millions on the Internet.

At Carnegie Mellon University, Pausch was a professor of computer science, human-computer interaction and design, and was recognized as a pioneer of virtual reality research. Pausch co-founded Carnegie Mellon's Entertainment Technology Center, a master's program for bringing artists and engineers together. Pausch also made Time magazine's list of the 100 most influential people in the world.

His last lecture was made into a best-selling book. In his lecture, he urged his students and colleagues to live life to the fullest. Among his words of wisdom:

"Never underestimate the importance of having fun. I'm dying and I'm having fun. And I'm going to keep having fun every day because there's no other way to play it."
"We can't change the cards we're dealt, just how we play the hand. If I'm not as depressed as you think I should be, I'm sorry to disappoint you."
“It is not about achieving your dreams but living your life. If you lead your life the right way, the karma will take care of itself. The dreams will come to you.”

He is survived by his wife, Jai, and their three children, Dylan, Logan and Chloe; his mother, Virginia Pausch of Columbia, MD.; and a sister, Tamara Mason of Lynchburg, VA.

You can read more about Randy Pausch on the Carnegie Mellon University website (http://www.cmu.edu/randyslecture/) or at Randy Pausch’s website (http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~pausch/).