"Last Lecture" Professor Pausch Dies

Dying Carnegie Mellon Prof Became Web Sensation Sharing Final Thoughts On Life With Students

(CBS/AP)  Randy Pausch, a Carnegie Mellon University computer scientist whose "last lecture" about facing terminal cancer became an Internet sensation and a best-selling book, died Friday. He was 47.

Pausch died at his home in Virginia, university spokeswoman Anne Watzman said. Pausch and his family moved there last fall to be closer to his wife's relatives.

Pausch was diagnosed with incurable pancreatic cancer in September 2006. His popular last lecture at Carnegie Mellon in September 2007 garnered international attention. Millions were moved to download the lecture and his subsequent book about life became a worldwide bestseller. And as he got sicker, his outlook seemed healthier, even as he faced the prospect of leaving his family, reports CBS News correspondent Richard Schlesinger.

During his Carnegie Mellon lecture, Pausch celebrated living the life he had always dreamed of instead of concentrating on impending death.

"The lecture was for my kids, but if others are finding value in it, that is wonderful," Pausch wrote on his Web site. "But rest assured; I'm hardly unique."

The book "The Last Lecture," written with Jeffrey Zaslow, leaped to the top of the nonfiction best-seller lists after its publication in April and remains there this week. Pausch said he dictated the book to Zaslow, a Wall Street Journal writer, by cell phone. The book deal was reported to be worth more than $6 million.

At Carnegie Mellon, he was a professor of computer science, human-computer interaction and design, and was recognized as a pioneer of virtual reality research. On campus, he became known for his flamboyance and showmanship as a teacher and mentor.

The speech last fall was part of a series Carnegie Mellon called "The Last Lecture," where professors were asked to think about what matters to them most and give a hypothetical final talk. The name of the lecture series was changed to "Journeys" before Pausch spoke, something he joked about in his lecture.

"I thought, damn, I finally nailed the venue and they renamed it," he said.

He told the packed auditorium he fulfilled almost all his childhood dreams - being in zero gravity, writing an article in the World Book Encyclopedia and working with the Walt Disney Co.

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To watch Randy Pausch's speech, click here
Click here to read Steve Hartman's original report about Pausch's inspirational lecture

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The one that eluded him? Playing in the National Football League.

"If I don't seem as depressed or morose as I should be, sorry to disappoint you," Pausch said.

He then joked about his quirky hobby of winning stuffed animals at amusement parks - another of his childhood dreams - and how his mother introduced him to people to keep him humble: "This is my son, he's a doctor, but not the kind that helps people."

Pausch said he was embarrassed and flattered by the popularity of his message. Millions viewed the complete or abridged version of the lecture, titled "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams," online.

Pausch lobbied Congress for more federal funding for pancreatic cancer research and appeared on "Oprah" and other TV shows. In what he called "a truly magical experience," he was even invited to appear as an extra in the new "Star Trek" movie.

He had one line of dialogue, got to keep his costume and donated his $217.06 paycheck to charity.

Pausch blogged regularly about his medical treatment. On Feb. 15, exactly six months after he was told he had three to six months of healthy living left, Pausch posted a photo of himself to show he was "still alive & healthy."

"I rode my bike today; the cumulative effects of the chemotherapy are hurting my stamina some, but I bet I can still run a quarter mile faster than most Americans," he wrote.

Pausch gave one more lecture after his Carnegie Mellon appearance - in November at the University of Virginia, where he had taught from 1988 to 1997.

Pausch often emphasized the need to have fun.

"I mean I don't know how to not have fun. I'm dying and I'm having fun. And I'm going to keep having fun every day I have left. Because there's no other way to play it," he said in his Carnegie Mellon lecture. "You just have to decide if you're a Tigger or an Eeyore. I think I'm clear where I stand on the great Tigger/Eeyore debate. Never lose the childlike wonder. It's just too important. It's what drives us."

Born in 1960, Pausch received his bachelor's degree in computer science from Brown University and his Ph.D. from Carnegie Mellon.

He co-founded Carnegie Mellon's Entertainment Technology Center, a master's program for bringing artists and engineers together. The university named a footbridge in his honor. He also created an animation-based teaching program for high school and college students to have fun while learning computer programming.

In February, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences in California announced the creation of the Dr. Randy Pausch Scholarship Fund for university students who pursue careers in game design, development and production.

He and his wife, Jai, had three children, Dylan, Logan and Chloe.

On a Web site detailing Pausch's progress with the cancer, the latest posting dated July 24 said Pausch had taken a downward turn and had entered a hospice program.

July 24: "A biopsy last week revealed that the cancer has progresed further than we had thought from recent PETscans. Since last week, Randy has also taken a step down and is much sicker than he had been. He's now enrolled in hospice. He's no longer able to post here so I'm a friend posting on his behalf because we know that many folks are watching this space for updates."

On June 26, Pausch posted his last update: "I continue to slowly recover.

"Chemotherapy has a cumulative effect, so it takes longer to recover the deeper one gets into this.

"Our current thinking is that more chemotherapy may not be wise; at this point, almost all potential chemotherapies may potentially make me so weak/sick that even if they were to slow the tumor, it would not be clear it would be the right tradeoff.

"We are currently narrowing down some immunuotherapy-based approaches that would presumably come with little or no side effects. More news as that proceeds."

In Sept., 2007, CBS News correspondent Steve Hartman reported on the outpouring of support that came after Pausch went public with his disease.

[vivacious814]

i am not going to say how great he was but Randy where ever you are, please listen to this you are one pf those fellows who have been able to teach me. You have taught me how to live. I read somewhere that "Greatest Teachers are those who can inspire t hose who can inspire their students". I never agreed with that. I wanted my teachers to be Master of their fields. Though I still value "experts", but the way Randy lived ( & went) has made a difference on what I think about education. Thanks Randy!!

[jroberts1976]

A tragedy indeed. It makes one wonder if the Kanzius Machine was invented and approved would this still happen? Answer is YES it probably would. Our country is addicted to money. There is too many politicians in bed with the drug makers, and the doctors, and the lawyers to ever let a cure or an effective method of treatment on the market to the average Joe. Look at Patrick Swayze.

[oneworldusa]

I''m speechless. There are no words. Such a tragedy it took a death-sentence for the world to know this man.

He could teach us a lot about what our country is going through right now. Quit complaning and do something and love your brothers, family and neighbors. Is there anything more important?

We need this kind of cohesiveness as a nation to get through our troubled times. We will prevail.

[oneworldusa]

Posted by LloydBest1 at 06:03 PM : Jul 25, 2008

-My mom has cancer and has been undergoing chemotherapy for quite a while. Though her PETS are good, the chemo itself is killing her in other ways.

A better solution is out there somewhere, maybe even something ridiculous, like eating a clover every day, but it''s there and no scientist working for a pharmaceutical company is ever going to be able to deliver it.

[hbevis]

We had an Uncle that dies of pancreatic cancer a few years ago. His family was with him until the end. It made a big difference and he too lived longer that the Doctors said he would.

Dr. Pausch is alive and well, we just can''t see him in this life anymore. God has a special for people like him.

[gogam]

RIP Dr. Pausch. You''ve contributed to the greatness of man-kind with your indefatigable spirit. The raison d''etre of your professorship has been fulfilled I believe as your message has reached and ignited passionate millions from far corners of the earth.
Let''s not stop there. We should put your attitude and spirit in a time capsule and send it into space as an example of humanity at it''s most vibrant and empowering form.

[maggg1]

I was so lucky to meet him. Our family is grieving with his today.... he was a brilliant soul and will be missed terribly.

[starleo146]

What a wonderful inspiration to the world, on how to tackle the worst life has to offer. This young man left a legacy to his children few of us ever have a chance to do. God Bless this family who had a gift that will always be in their hearts.

[slim1h2o]

His gift was his death and the way he approached it. GOD may have taken him to point that out.
Since Cancer causes pain and pain hurts I am glad he didn''''t have to suffer ''''pain'''' longer than he did.

Posted by ToolMangler at 06:05 PM : Jul 25, 2008

Exactly! And with proper or loving support, people can last alot longer than what doctors usually say.

Doctors don''t usually factor in that human equation "the will to survive". No matter what!

[toolmangler-2009]

Posted by LloydBest1 at 06:03 PM : Jul 25, 2008


Well said.

[toolmangler-2009]

He was a gift from God, too bad he coudn''''t stay longer.
Posted by fstop100 at 01:56 PM : Jul 25, 2008


His gift was his death and the way he approached it. GOD may have taken him to point that out.
Since Cancer causes pain and pain hurts I am glad he didn''t have to suffer ''pain'' longer than he did.

[lloydbest1]

""I mean I don''t know how to not have fun. I''m dying and I''m having fun. And I''m going to keep having fun every day I have left. Because there''s no other way to play it," he said in his Carnegie Mellon lecture. "You just have to decide if you''re a Tigger or an Eeyore. I think I''m clear where I stand on the great Tigger/Eeyore debate. Never lose the childlike wonder. It''s just too important. It''s what drives us.""
The quote above is your biggest reason his six month prognosis stretched out nearly two years. Attitude is SO important. Time and again it has been shown that maintaining an upbeat, cheery world view can mitigate, even beat personal disasters such as the one Randy suffered.
One can choose to accept the inevitable with gloom and self pity or one can choose the path Dr. Pausch chose.
He passed on and it could be reasonably said that the cancer finally beat him. I don''t think it did. Cancer may have killed him but it did not beat him or defeat his spirit. Jai, Dylan, Logan and Chloe you have much to be proud of.

[boston1954]

I am so very sorry to hear it. He was an inspiration to so many. 47 is much to young to go. I agree with a previous poster. We need to cure this thing.

[edward1975-2009]

Had the opportunity to see a video of his lecture and it truly was inspirational. We all would be so lucky to leave such an incredible message. May he rest in peace, and may we all keep his family in our thoughts and prayers.

[sandy19731]

We need to spend more money on Cancer research and medical research in general. We lost a wonderful scholar and man.

[fixhist]

No professor could,or would ever die, No matter under what consideration.

Every teacher & professor or teacher,can never degrade himself to assume.the didn''t left behind learning of knowledge.


If any one has trouble understanding above statement, is safe to be forcefully registered in grade-4 curriculum.
No ifs, or buts, simple plain realty.

[libsluv2spit]

from day one when the doctor puts a limit on your mortality..that you look at your past life..but the true test is to look at your life forward..AND WHAT YOU DO WITH IT...

savor every morsel of seconds you have......

Randy Pausch was a strong minded couragious person. he overcame the fear of death and lived.

[cheetah-man7]

I was not too familiar with his work but had certainly heard of him. I am very sorry to hear that he lost his battle with cancer, but I am also happy that he was able to reach so many people with his strength and dignity. God bless him, his family, and all those who have been touched by his words.

[padams1010]

Some times I think heaven just has to be too full of angels!! How often we wish we could keep loved ones with us ... only to realize how selfish it is to want to deny the ones we love peace and God''s loving mercy. I''m sure he has family and friends that passed before him lining up to welcome him home. Please ... God ... Bless his family and friends with this message.

[slim1h2o]

It takes a brave man to die,
an even braver one to live.

R.I.P