Randy Pausch Death
- Filed under: Celebrities
- Date: Jun 11,2008
It’s an odd feeling, watching someone you’ve met, die from a distance. Randy Pausch is only forty-six years old and he’s dying of pancreatic cancer. I know him from my time at Carnegie Mellon University, where he was a computer science professor quite unlike any other. I never had the opportunity to take his courses–in fact, I don’t think I ever exchanged more than two words with him in passing–but nonetheless, he made an indelible impression on students at the university itself.
Randy has pancreatic cancer which has now spread to his liver. I asked him if he would be around for Christmas. He said, “50/50″. I asked, “Father’s Day?”. He said, “I wouldn’t buy me anything.”. It was a rare somber moment. Until you start talking about his three small children or his wife, Randy is able to stay remarkably upbeat. In his lecture at Carnegie Mellon he started by announcing that he’d experienced a death bed conversion - paused -smirked - and said, “I bought a Macintosh.” The place errupted.
In my story tonight I’ll have more of the speech along with an interview I did with Randy while his kids were napping earlier this week.
Understandably, Randy wants to spend as much quality time with his kids as possible. But he is also a teacher and he has so much wisdom to share. More now than ever. Facing imminent death seems to have crystalized that wisdom. His lecture has already been downloaded nearly a million times by people all over the world. And most everyone has found inspiration.
I can’t possibly tell you everything I want to tell you about Randy in this short blog. Tonight’s story will be equally lacking. Which is why I’ve asked Katie and our other executives here at CBS if I can visit with Randy every few weeks for as long as he has to live. They have agreed. Randy is thinking about it - although he cautioned me to be careful what I wish for. “Death can get ugly,” he said.
When Randy Pausch discovered that pancreatic cancer would kill him within months, he was most worried about the fate of his family - his wife, Jai, and their three children under the age of six.
Last week, as the college professor signed a £3.2m deal to turn his farewell lecture to his students into a book that he is unlikely to see published, he admitted that, in the oddest ways, life was perking up.
“I just told a traffic cop I was dying and talked my way out of a speeding ticket,” said the boyish 47-year-old professor from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. “It’s probably the closest I am ever going to get to feeling attractive and blond.”
Pausch has been compared to Ruth Picardie and John Diamond, the British writers who in the 1990s chronicled their own losing battles with cancer. Despite Americans’ confessional culture, they have been more squeamish about such bleak disclosures because they clash with the conviction that hard struggles deserve happy endings.
Pausch says that, so far, death has been good to him. He remains fit. His new-found celebrity has earned him enough money to buy a dream home for his family in Virginia and opened doors to personal idols such as Sting, the pop musician.
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37 Responses for "Randy Pausch Death"
Randy, Randy, Randy. I’m glad that he has had such success, but quite frankly, my husband has pc and nobody came knocking on our door for his story which is everybit as ‘exciting’ as Dr. Pausch. isn’t it nice that he can make money from having the disease when we can’t even afford the money for the chemo therapy. Randy Pausch has pc. His wife will be a widow. So will I. So what? Does he shit gold or what? He’s simply another man, with cancer. Can we give it a rest already?
What a selfish and self loathing message you have posted. I understand the pain that you are experiencing, and wish that you did not have to struggle with the financial stressors during this time of pain & heartache. HOWEVER, I cannot believe that you are trying to take this man’s accomplishments, honor, and respect that he deserves from him. He is a charismatic man that inspired so many people, and the fact that he is making money for his family when he is gone…I believe is honorable. Don’t we all want our families to have some level of comfort when we are not around anymore? I do wish that all people were able to do this; however, it is impossible and Dr. Pausch had the resources and respect from others that made this possible for him. I believe that you owe his family & loved ones an apology for being so insensitive and cruel. This and many other articles written for Dr. Pausch was in tribute to his great life’s work & how he effected so many lives emphatically. I am sure that your husband has done many commendable things in his life, too…but you don’t see anyone trying to dishonor his life or achievements. I am highly disappointed in your response and pray that God (or higher being - if you believe in this) will bring you peace of mind & understanding and take away your negativity towards others that have never done anything to you personally.
KSE, well said ,
U dont have any rights thow negetive comments on the guy like pausch..who had given r birth u live many of dreams ..
Malini
I didn’t say he wasn’t honorable or hadn’t achieved great things. But ask around….not ALL of his students thought he was all that and a bag of chips. Apologize? I don’t think so. Ask the other 35,000 patients with pc. He is, as I said, simply another man with pc. Its a hideous disease and we’re all fighting, not just Randy and Jai.
I glad to hear that not all his student liked him. It tells me he was better professor than I thought.
Why would I ask around? WHAT would I ask around, exactly? THIS is precisely what I am speaking of…your macabre attitude toward him and his family! Why in the hell would I go around asking if he was a great teacher or not, he obviously effected SOMEONE enough to give him the recognition that he has been blessed with. AND, when was the last time YOU heard of ALL students that loved one teacher…another impossible feat to find! It was Carnegie-Mellon for God’s sake! It couldn’t have been an easy class for all!! Your bitter, distasteful attitude and comments toward Dr. Pausch continues to prove that not only are you speaking from the anguish you feel from your own experience (which I am sympathetic toward), but this is festering into your presentation of total ignorance that you have been exhibiting in every blog post you have made. I thought you should apologize for your nescience and ruthlessness towards the Dr. and his family, and mostly because of the 35,000 patients with PC…would you treat them that way? Or are you just being resentful (jealous) of the fact that he is doing good for his family? AND THIS is another reason you should apologize, because if the tables were turned, I doubt you would be feeling the same way! Yes, Dr. P is a simple man…with PC, fighting the same fight that 35,000 other people with PC are fighting, but don’t you think in the broad spectrum of things that he has introduced PC to people who were not educated on it. I believe it’s all about doing his part while he has time to do it here on Earth. Kuddos to him for having the Kahunas, and drive to do it! Some people would just shrivel up and GIVE up & pity themselves. HE didn’t do this, and this inspired me and obviously many others! I do believe in “what goes around, comes around” and karma, but if I were you…I would drop that malignity FAST, because believe me, things for you could get a lot worse & you are setting yourself and your family up for a larger catastrophe. I will continue to pray for you and your family.
I am sure but Randy Pausch is someone that everyone should follow his ideas and thoughts. He was not doing this to make money but even if it does benefit his family so WHAT! He has three children that I am sure will need support and could turn out to be as special as their father. He made it very clear that he knew he would not be there for his family but he was building safety nets to catch them when they fall. I feel that the world has lost a special person but heaven has gain a special angel.
Light a candle. He died today.
And KSE….what the HELL do you know about it? You know NOTHING about the fight in pancreatic cancer. So please, save you holier than thou attitude for someone else.
I do NOT begrudge his memory anthing nor his wife and children and IN FACT have emailed with his wife. My point was that there are thousands of others with pc, fighting the same fight (which you know NOTHING about!) and while he may have been inspirational he DIDN’T WALK ON WATER.
and how dare YOU tell me how bad things can get for my family. NEWS FLASH BOZO! They already are. I will be a widow, just like Jai Pausch,, most likely within the next 6 months. So don’t you presume to know anything about me or my husband who continues to fight this hideous disease which you can’t even imagine. You should hope to God you don’t ever hear the words pancreatic cancer.
Mary, who is the BOZO? You are of course, presuming that I know nothing about PC. First, I am a physician for a children’s hospital. Second, my husband’s father passed from the disease. I do know lots about breast cancer, brain cancer, luekemia and so many other horrible ailments and disorders that you probably couldn’t wrap your brain around…because unfortunately they have struck people very close to me and people I have worked with. I KNOW too much about pain and suffering which is never fair, no matter who it may happen to. If you have emailed his wife, did you link her this site? I’m sure she wouldn’t have appreciated it. Believe me I am definately humbled by all disease and am NOT holier than though, but you continue to present yourself as a heartless human. I don’t believe that ANYONE said “he did walked on water”, but you have said that he didn’t, and that “he doesn’t shit gold”, and that “he wasn’t a bag of chips” when he was a professor. These are all direct quotes from you and you should be ashamed, if you aren’t begudging his memory, it sure sounds like you are to me (and looks like others agree with me)! And, to clear things up, I said things can get worse…they always can…I’ve seen it happen to others. I never said I knew anything about you or your family, but it seems you think you know EVERYTHING about me. You are no longer worth my time or energy, I am pretty sure I have made my point.
Since this article was truly supposed to be a nice formal token of appreciation and admiration for Dr. P, and you would like to see a very nice tribute to Dr. P’s last lecture, with great music from Eric Hutchinson…please check out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7O6AWwLyAk
God rest his soul & bless peace on his family & loved ones.
Wow such anger.
Randy has inspired many. I hope that I could be as brave facing death.
Rabbi T
KSE and Mary - stop it, both of you.
My prayers and heart ache for Jai and her children. Dr. Pausch inspired millions of people around the globe. Hopefully, from his work, we will see continued research for pancreatic cancer. Yes, Mary, chemo is expensive for pancreatic cancer, but I believe, if I’m not mistaken its expensive for all cancers. We can only hope and pray that one day we will be able to eradicate cancer altogether so children like Randy’s don’t have to lose a father, and wives like Jai don’t have to lose a husband.
May God Bless the family of Randy Pausch. Even though I only “know” him through news articles and the internet I feel that I know him in my heart. He truly touched a great amount of people throughout the world. It truly is a tragedy that such a man lost his life so young.
I feel so sorry for the people arguing over this. It is a disgrace that you (Mary) would leave such horrible comments about Dr. Pausch’s life and passing. There is no need to be so negative about this. I am sorry for the loss of your husband but that gives you no right to be so disrespectful to Dr. Pausch and family. Obviously your husband did not touch several lives and I am sure if he had, people would be writing about him as well. But, he didn’t. So get over it. Yes we all know that there are many brave souls that have battled with diseases that beat them in this life, and I am sure that their circumstance touched someone’s life somehow. It just didn’t go public. God uses certain people as a tool to touch lives in this crazy world. He chose to use Randy and it worked. I sure hope his wife or family does not come across this and see what you wrote or how some of you behaved in this matter…..I’d be embarrassed if I were you.
Rest in sweet peace Randy. Thank You for being a light in this dark world. Thank you for giving those who had no hope, hope and to feel alive again. You truly left an amazing legacy for your family.
I was just reading over what everyone wrote again and came across that Mary’s husband is still fighting pc. I apologize for over looking what was written and assumed he had passed.
This is a message for Mary: you are clearly in a lot of justifiable pain. It sounds as if your husband is an accomplished and wonderful man whose life should also be celebrated. Why don’t you focus your energy on creating just such a celebration - maybe a special party (a kind of “roast”) where all his loved ones share fond memories and witty stories. You could combine that with writing an editorial in your local newspaper paying tribute to his life. These positive steps, while in no way erasing your pain, will at least allow you to focus it for good.
It is clear that Mary is in a lot of pain. There are obviously different ways to deal with the pain of this or any other disease. I am a nurse who sees death and the ways in which pts. and families deal with it. These are two clear examples. Mary’s anger and Dr. Pausch’s acceptance and love for life. They both have a right to their feelings and dealing with it in the way they decide. That said Mary has a right to be angry with cancer but not Dr. Pausch, his family or the media. If anything the fact that he faced it the way that he did could help others in the future with this disease because as the past shows when there is a heart wrenching story in the press it increases research and money to these disease. Hopefully, the death of a man who choose to live life and confront death with such great zeal will not be for nothing. I do hope that Mary can set her anger aside long enough to cherish all the time that she has left with her husband.
Mary, I am curious to know if you are also mad at Patrick Swayze? He was also diagnosed with pc and his story has been in the media. He has the money to treat it and is apparently doing well. Does that make you angry? If you continue to focus on the anger where will that get you? Focus on the love you have for your husband and those are the memories you will be able to carry with you after he is gone rather than the hatred for the disease. And before you say I do not know how you feel I have faced the pain of losing family members to cancer and I have discovered the hard way that it is easier for them to let go in the end when you can focus on the love you have for each other not the pain of the lose. Perhaps what you need is someone to talk to who understands there are support groups and counselors. I am not judging you I am simply saying that we all need someone to talk to to help us through the difficult times in our lives.
Jeanette, thank you so much for being so articulate in your messages, I was being to believe that I was wrong for saying anything about Mary’s bashing of Dr. P. But, I was angered by her anger toward him. You were right to point out that she can be mad at the disease and try to raise awareness to erraticate it, but not the man that the disease attacked. He was a good man, with a bad disease and he made the best of it. I hated to see her try and take that away from him and his family.
Rest in Peace Dr Pausch. You were a very positive influence on many. My only hope is that “Mary” and her family can come to the conclusions that you did. No matter what life throws at you, you have to do anything you do with gusto. Mary, your husband is dying. Why do you want to waste the last few months or weeks with such anger and hostility toward a man that did nothing but try to inspire all (including you and your husband) to live the rest of their lives to the fullest. I can only hope that you all live your life with as much zeal as you have anger.
I personally do not pray, but I will have you in my positive thoughts!!
No Wendy: Don’t say “stop it” to KSE. She only spoke truth. It is not Mary’s place to belittle the media or Dr. Pausch for taking this scenario and doing something positive with it. Also, Jeannette does an impressive job of adding more truth… Thans to you both, KSE and Jeantte - I for one agree with everthing you posted.
To Mary and KSE and any other who might be interested in: as a person, Randy Pausch was amazing on his own. No doubts about it. Just listen to his lecture or any interviews … Unfortunatelly I never met him personally, or attend any of his lectures. The fact that you Mary talked about money when referring to him, and you are showing such a hate on you, it is just your only and own problem, as you cannot see beyond this materialistic life that we are all in. He has done nothing against you, nothing … Why are you wasting your time in such a hate ? May be if you give yourself time, as Randy said, you will find the good side of each one of us
also.
Listen to his words, and you would find peace and comfort on them during those difficult moments you are going through. Don’t envy him for being such a special human being, but enjoy the fact that you could read about him and his wisdom.
My heart bleeds for Jai and her children and all the others that have lost a spouse or family member to pancreatic cancer. Mary, I am so so sorry that you are walking through this illness. It is a dreadful disease. My husband passed away at 45 years old…he was diagnosed and gone within 5 months, leaving a 7-year old son. It was like a hurricane came and we took shelter but nothing stopped it. We did all we could, but he was not the good statistic despite a positive attitude. Some days I think it was just a movie, and I had a “part” in the movie. The part that sucked. I can replay all the scenes even now several years later. At times, I dreamed that one day our lives as they were would go back to what they were before the horrific diagnosis. We are approaching the 6 year anniversary of his passing and I now know it wasn’t a movie. It is our life and our reality. The hole in my heart is still there, and the hole in my son’s heart is still there. We have built around the hole with new experiences. We live our lives lovingly and fully, as he would have wanted for us. I am so sorry to see the mean-spirited nature of some of the messages posted. The pain of such a loss is unbearable–please give grace to others. Bless you. joan
Let’s not forget that Randy never went out and sought any of this fame or fortune…this was a lecture intended for his peers and students, but most of all, for his children. It touched people, so they passed it along.
The notoriety has certainly increased the flow of money into the coffers of pancreatic cancer research and raised awareness of this devastating disease. If a young family who lost their father gets some money from it as well, even better.
Randy’s life and his lecture are blessings we should all be grateful for, particularly those whose lives have been touched by this vicious cancer.
I am glad to read such heartwarming, positive, comments about such a wonderful man and his family, yet am disgusted by the hateful message.
I was widowed 2 years ago and am raising 2 children (under the age of 10) alone. I can relate to the physical pain and the deep sadness one feels when your partner dies and how grief affects people in different ways (I was out when my husband died and his family blame me for not being there and no longer talk to me).
I am using The Last Lecture as a guide for myself and my children. I was always sad that my husband never left such loving words or words of guidance for my kids and the book reminds me of how I used to view and enjoy life and that I must, for all our sake’s, start to live life like that again.
I guess we can all come away with lessons learned.
For Mary, I can see how one would be mad at the world and lash out in very difficult times. I wish I could offer words of help and strength, but I’m not in that particular situation so I won’t pretend to understand. I can say that in challenging times, I have gone back to reserves and pulled from past inspirations to help me through. I hope you have the opportunity to do the same. I think the reason some appreciate individuals like Randy Pausch is because it is them who become some people’s inspirations down the road when they need to dig into reserves. I hope you and your husband find strength to deal with this very devastating illness.
In the case of Randy Pausch, it sounded like he had gusto for life from an early age. How many of us can say we made use of every opportunity handed to us? I know I can’t. His actions and words light a fire under me and force me to sit up and think. I am grateful he was given the gift (if you could call it one) of forewarning before he died and no one would argue that he didn’t embrace that time. For that inspiration, I am also grateful.
As a mother and wife, my heart goes out to every family dealing with such unthinkable challenges and hope they find the grace and strength to deal with it.
I’m so moved by Randy’s story — a story of life more than death, actually. He unselfishly promoted Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and only weeks before his death, testified in Congress on behalf of increased funding for pancreatic cancer research. He had been in the hospital just a couple of days earlier and asked his doctors to do what they could to enable him to leave his hospital bed and travel to DC. In his book, he states he mourned not for himself and what he would not get to see so much as for his children not knowing him as a father. His kids loss and that of his wife was more painful to him than his own loss of life. Jai, Dylan, Logan, and Chloe — you are very much in my thoughts and prayers. Randy persuaded me, by example, to donate to Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. Let’s fund research to eradicate this terrible disease. That’s the best way to honor not only Randy and his family but others with this disease and their families and loved ones.
WoW… Not sure where to start so I will stop right here… Why? Why are you guys doing this?
My husband was diagnosed with PC at the age of 35. He passed away Dec. of 06 leaving behind myself and his four children ages 11, 8, 6 and 22 months. Shortly after he passed away I was sent through e-mail Randy Pausch’s The Last Lecture. I was so inspired by his words and yet so saddend that my husband was never able to read his book. I feel Randy’s book may have given my husband the hope and strenghth to talk about his fears. I too, like Liz, wish I had something for my children from their dad. My husband fought this horrible disease for 22 months believing he could beat it. We never spoke of the what if. I suppose out of fear. Mary I am so sorry for what you are going through. I do understand the emotions that come with the possibility of losing someone you love. Just know that although you are angry now for the recognition the Pausch family is getting. Tomorrow or in many tomorrows there may be a cure because of the awareness they brought to this disease. And I for one pray each night that they find a cure so my children can be protected.
Ethan: Don’t understand your question. “Why are you guys doing this?” Doing what?
Jeannette: I was NOT mad AT Randy Pausch, or Patrick Swayze for that matter. Maybe I was angry, God forgive me. Sometimes grief does that to a person. I was angry in part at the media and for those who seemingly - SEEMINGLY - gave him sainthood.
And yes, my husband passed 4 weeks ago today. The grief is excruciating. I hold NOTHING against Mr. Pausch and I know that his wife, Jai is experiencing the same thing as I am, as are hundreds of other wives across the world.
Maybe I’m mad at Pancreatic Cancer. Maybe I’m just mad at life. It’s a crappy deal to be dealt this deck of cards, and quite frankly those who have not experienced the loss of their spouse to pc, you really - TRULY - have no way of knowing what a person feels.
I’m sorry I offended so many, but had you taken the time to understand you would have simply seen a flawed human being trying to deal with the fact that the monsterous beast - pancreatic cancer was claiming the life of my husband. In the midst of that I felt as if the ONLY story to be told was that of Randy Pausch. I know that not every story can be told, but to me, my husband was every bit as wonderful as Randy Pausch.
I inappropriately focussed my anger. I know that. I don’t need to be chided anyfurther or reprimaded or told what a horrible person I was. Right now I’d be glad to switch places with Mr. Pausch, for life for me really means nothing at all. I’ve lost the love of my life because of pancreatic cancer and there is a part of me that wants people to know how wonderful my husband was
Thanks.
Mary - no need to explain. We are all with you - you are not alone. I pray for your comfort right now. I pray that the Pausch family and all 35,000 families effected by pc to have comfort. I wish I could give you a hug and tell you everything is ok. My heart goes out to you. Be strong. Stay strong for the people that need you and love you. Your husband is in your heart. I’m sure he was an amazing person. God bless you, Mary.
It’s amazing how easy it is to villify those with the smaller voice. To all the people who trashed Mary, find a little compassion. Clearly Randy Paush was and is a light to many in this world. It’s easy to love him, it’s easy to love his family. What’s less easy, and way more crucial, is to recognize those who need us, and come through for them. Mary, my prayers are for you and your family.
True true. The post noting the cruelty of visiting fame and fortune on one victim of cancer while others suffer the disease and financial toll is stripped of all edifice and BS. I don’t begrudge her one bit and can feel her pain and anger. These feelings can exist exclusive of sympathies for Dr. Pausch just as we all lead separate lives. Judging and spewing vitriol solves nothing. Let people grieve and give comfort, sparing your own selfishness for a moment.
KSE, I hope you read Mary’s last message. She said sorry and I think you ought to say sorry too. I know where you were coming and Mary too. In the midst of all the adversities, we are comforted of the fact that human can be compassionate towards others. =) let’s make life a lil easier for everyone. its tough!
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