The life and achievements of Dr. Pausch who, despite suffering from terminal pancreatic cancer, is leading an active life and helping to raise awareness of the illness.
Dr. Randy Pausch was born Randolph Frederick Pausch on 23 October 1960. He married Jai Glasgow Pausch in May 2000 and they have three young children. Dylan, the eldest son, is six years old, followed by second son, Logan, and youngest daughter Chloe, two.
Educational Qualifications:
Dr. Pausch received his Bachelors degree in Computer Science from Brown University and his Doctorate degree in Computer Science from Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
Career Achievements:
Dr. Randy Pausch is a Professor of Computer Science, Human-Computer Interaction, and Design at CMU.
He is the co-founder of CMU’s Entertainment Technology Center (ETC) and the creator of ETC’s “Building Virtual Worlds” course, where four to five students form one interdisciplinary team, each using their respective skills and talents to help create interactive worlds within two to three weeks.
He is also the creator and founder of the “Alice Software Project”, a revolutionary software that teaches computer programming and provides a rapid-prototyping environment for interactive 3D graphics and virtual reality. He has authored/co-authored five books and over 70 articles on computing and virtual reality.
Besides his academic career at CMU, Dr. Pausch has served as consultant to various large corporations. These include Xerox Palo Alto Research Center (1989 – 1995), Walt Disney Imagineering and Electronic Arts (since 1996) and Google.com (since 2000, focusing on user interface design). Since 2000, he has been sitting on the Board of Directors for Media Metrix, Inc.
Claim to Fame:
Dr. Pausch became famous after a recording of his ‘Last Lecture’ at CMU on 18 September 2007 was posted on YouTube. Despite fighting terminal pancreatic cancer and the prospects of impending death, his lecture was neither morose nor full of self-pity. Rather, he focused on living life well and shared his ideas on achieving one’s childhood dreams. Details of the lecture’s contents can be found here.
The various recordings of his inspirational and motivating lecture garnered more than six million views on YouTube. Subsequently, Dr. Pausch was invited to be a guest of The Oprah Winfrey Show on 22 Oct 2007, under the segment Dr. (Mehmet) Oz: A Special Report on Death. He was also featured on Good Morning America, ABC World News and CBS Evening News.
Recognition:
For his contributions to CMU and the fields of computer science and virtual reality, and for sharing his ‘Last Lecture’ with the Pittsburg community and the world, the City Council of Pittsburg declared 19 Nov 2007 as "Randy Pausch Day".
Personal Mission:
Despite his medical condition, Dr. Pausch continues leading an active life. Besides working and taking care of his family, he engages in sports, cycling regularly and even going for diving trips. He does so to disprove the typical image of an ailing and dying cancer patient.
He also took it upon himself to raise the public’s awareness of pancreatic cancer by recording public service announcements for PanCAN (Pancreatic Cancer Action Network).
On 13 March 2008, despite being discharged from hospital only three days ago for heart and renal problems, he provided testimony on behalf of PanCAN to the Labor, Health & Human Services Subcommittee of the U.S. Congress, in order to seek additional funding towards pancreatic cancer research.
While Dr. Pausch continues medical treatment and his fight against cancer, his latest book The Last Lecture, co-authored with Wall Street Journal reporter Jeff Zaslow, will be published by Hyperion Books on 8 April 2008.
The copyright of the article Dr. Randy Pausch in Cancer is owned by Kris Lee Wai Loon. Permission to republish Dr. Randy Pausch in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
Hi Dr Randy, I have just watched the Oprah Winfrey show. You are an
inspiration to Australians not just Americans. You are a very brave and
kind man to do what you are doing. Just a thought. I am only trying to be
helpful. Would you consider stem cell treatment, after all studies have
shown that this treatment has been successful in repairing damaged heart
tissue after a heart attack. Just a thought. I just wouldn't want to see a
man like you die. You are too special. I will pray for you and your
family.
God Bless You Mary Woodrow Australia
May 5, 2008 2:14 PM
Guest :
Mr. Pausch, you are an amazing man with insights I wish the whole world
had. Your book will be suggested to so many whom I pray will read every
word and accept them as gospel. I pray that your transition be amazing and
a dream you could not possibly realize on earth.
With more
respect than I can put into words.
Linda Holland
When tomorrow starts without me, and I'm not there to see. If
the sun should rise and find your eyes, all filled with tears for me. I wish so much you wouldn't cry, the way you did today, While
thinking of the many things we never got to say.
I know how
much you love me, as much as I love you.. And each time that you
think of me, I know you'll miss me too.. But when tomorrow starts
without me, Please try to understand.. An angel came and called my
name and took me by the hand, It seemed my place was ready - In
Heaven far above, and that I'd have to leave behind, those things I
dearly love..
But as I turned to walk away, a tear fell from my
eye. For all of life, I'd always thought, I didn't want to die. I had so much to live for, so much yet to do, It seemed almost
impossible, that I was leaving you.. I thought of all the yesterdays,
the good ones and the bad.. I thought of all the love we shared, and
how much fun we had.. If I could relive yesterday, just even for a
while, I'd say goodbye, then kiss you ‘til I saw that special smile..
But then I fully realized, that it could never be, 'Cause
emptiness and memories, would take the place of me. And when I
thought of all those things, I might miss come tomorrow, I thought of
you, and when I did, my heart was filled with sorrow. . But when I
walked through Heaven's gates, I felt so much at home. When God
looked down and smiled at me, From his great & golden throne,
He said, "This is eternity, and all I've promised you. Today
your life on Earth is past, but here it starts anew. I promise no
tomorrow, but today will always last, and since each day is the same
day, there's no longing for the past. . But you have been so
faithful, so trusting and so true, Though there were some times you
did some things you shouldn't do. .
But you have been forgiven,
and now at last you're free, So come and take me by the hand, and
share my life with me.." So when tomorrow starts without me,
don't think we're far apart, for every time you think of me, I'll be
right there - in your Heart..
May 11, 2008 7:20 AM
Guest :
Hi,
I am business executive from HK and watched Dr. Pausch
on-line video on the last lecture many times and were deeply touched. I
have used it to train a group of senior executives who felt the same.
Anyway, I am very concerned about Dr. Pausch's health condition and wonder
if he would consider to try the alternative treatment i.e. Chinese Chi
Gong.
This Chi Gong is a self healing exercise and cures
thousands of terminal illness patients from all over the world. In fact it
has a center in New Jeresy. I personally don't have any serious illness but
was suffered from depression a fw years back. After practicing it for less
than 3 months, I was able to be back on my feet. Since I could not find Dr.
Pausch's personal e-mail address, I hope you can forward this e-mail to him
as I believe something as kind hearted and intelligent as him should
deserve to have a long and happy life.
The website of the Chi
Gong center is www.wishasiapacific.com. Please do log on to take a look. In
case you have doubt about the validity of this message, you can vertify the
source by writing to me as annie@ceompower.com.
I sincerely hope
that Dr. Pausch can read this message & give it a shot as it has done
magic to me and many other people.
Annie Leung from Hong Kong
May 12, 2008 4:36 PM
Guest :
Hi Randy, I won't call you Randolph b/c as I read in your book your
mom is the only one who called you that and you didn't like but soon grew
to love her calling you that. I can't even begin to imagine what you are
going through. You have such a remarkable family and such adorable children
and many friends standing behind you helping you through this very
difficult time. I borrowed the book from a friend and read in in less than
24 hours, I only put it down to go to bed. I couldn't help but both laugh
and cry, but mostly cry. You are leaving quite a legacy for your children
and they will never forget you!!! I wish you well and I pray for you and
your family and even though I have never meet you, I'll never forget you
and the great impact that you have made on me. Earth might be losing a very
special person but Heaven is gaining a Perfect Angel!!!!
Sharri Ohio
May 13, 2008 6:33 PM
Guest :
Randy, I don't know you, but I had heard of you and watched your last
lecture. I lost my dad 25 years ago to pancreatic cancer - he was 52, and
I, a few months from getting married. As much as we wanted to postpone the
wedding, my dad would not hear of that. As a compromise, we were married
at home by a justice of the peace so my dad could attend (he didn't think
he would make it to the "real wedding")but he wanted life to go
on as planned. He taught me something that few parents can teach their
kids - how to live and die with dignity. He showed his love for his family
right up to the end, and he let us love him and care for him. Not a day
goes by that I don't think of him and how much I love him. This is his
legacy. Money, fame, and good fortune have nothing on love. To love and be
loved are the only things that really matter. My dad taught me to love
deeply like it's your last day on earth. Laughing helps too, even in the
worst of situations you can find something to laugh about. God bless you.
Binki McKenna
Jun 7, 2008 12:18 PM
Guest :
Hi Dr Randy, I have tried with no success to find a way to speak to you. I
pray this will reach you before it cannot help. I am a 62 year old female
with esophogeal cancer. After my 1st week of chemo and radiation, I felt
just awful and a friend gave me a product called Reliv. I went home and
mixed up a shake and put it in my stomach tube...I had a hard time
drinking, let alone eating...and felt better immediately. When first
diagnosed, my chemo dr said that after a few weeks of chemo and radiation,
I would have to find someone to take me back and forth to the hospital, and
that never happened. I'v been on my own and feeling good and have only been
restricted in driving for a few weeks after the major surgery..removal of
the tumor. Please go to RELIV.COM and call their number and start taking
this asap. I cant believe what it has done for me. I hope that somehow this
info gets to you and anyone else with any serious disease. It is the most
perfect nutrition available,and a lifesaver for many. God bless you and
your family, I pray that they will not lose you. Jan K
Jul 26, 2008 10:07 AM
Kris Lee Wai Loon :
It is with sadness and regret that I update and complete this biography
with the news of Dr. Pausch's demise (arising from complications from
pancreatic cancer) on Friday, 25 Jul 2008. He was 47 years old.
My heartfelt condolences to Jai, his wife, and his three children, Dylan,
Logan and Chloe. I wish them strength as they face future challenges in
life, and may they always be inspired by their brave father!
From the Carnegie Mellon University's web site: "The family
requests that donations on his behalf be directed to the Pancreatic Cancer
Action Network, 2141 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 7000, El Segundo, CA 90245, or
to Carnegie Mellon's Randy Pausch Memorial Fund, which the university will
use primarily to support continued work on the Alice project."
Sep 28, 2008 6:07 AM
Guest :
The " The Last Lecture" has inspire to realize that their is
still life beyond death. The reason for that is your memories live on.
