CMU Professor Dr. Randy Pausch has died of complications suffered from his battle with pancreatic cancer. I was informed of Randy’s death via Twitter and as I write this, it’s a battle to hold back the tears. I can only hope that Randy’s death will further inspire positive change in the lives of many people he touched.

To reprise his ‘Final Lecture’, I am embedding it below for reference. I am grateful for the inspiration Randy has left us. Also, special thanks again to ABC News / Primetime for granting me the opportunity to thank Randy for his inspiration.

This is an opportunity to reflect about what it’s important in life, achieving your dreams and realizing your potential. I intend to do the same.

I am making this a featured post for the month of April in honor of Dr. Randy Pausch who died of terminal pancreatic cancer in July 2008. We all need heroes and Dr. Pausch is one of many for me.

On Wednesday, April 9th (2008), ABC aired its hour long Diane Sawyer special with Randy Pausch, “The Last Lecture: A Love Story for Your Life”, which details the touching story of a respected CMU professor who’s dying of terminal pancreatic cancer. Having blogged on several different occasions about Randy’s “Last Lecture” video (view the entire 1.5 hour video), ABC invited me last week to film an interview for the special.

Although ABC didn’t use any of the footage we recorded in New York last Wednesday, they did use the original video I submitted to them at the very beginning of the special. The main point used from the video: “Randy’s video inspired me.” I am happy that I was able to tell Randy that he’s inspired me to enable the dreams of others (I’ve achieved many wonderful dreams of my own), to continue dreaming (my dreams have never disappointed me) and to find the good in humanity (I can be cynical about the world around me).

Again, many thanks to ABC and most importantly to Randy.