A crowd filled an auditorium at the University of Virginia in November to hear Randy Pausch, a former professor there. (Kaylin Bowers/Daily Progress, via Associated Press)Carnegie Mellon Professor Randy Pausch is best known for the words of wisdom and wit he delivered during a now famous “Last Lecture” and subsequent best-selling book.
And so it probably comes as no surprise that the final words uttered by Dr. Pausch before his death last Friday from pancreatic cancer reflected the same humor and good nature that made him an Internet celebrity.
Last night, ABC aired a tribute to Dr. Pausch, replaying a Diane Sawyer special about his life and experiences that first aired in the spring. The segment also included new interviews with his close friend Steve Seabolt, who was with Randy during his final moments and noted that his “trademark wit and intellect were intact.”
Mr. Seabolt only shared a few moments with viewers, noting that even near death, Dr. Pausch’s sense of humor remained. He said Dr. Pausch talked about how glad he was that he was home and his family and friend were close, and laughed, saying, “I just feel so bad about the dying part.”
Mr. Seabolt also relayed a conversation he had with Dr. Pausch’s 6-year-old son, Dylan. They were talking about cancer and he told the boy that “some problems can’t be solved, or they can’t be solved yet.”
Dylan responded, “My daddy has taught me that every problem can be solved, and that I should believe that every problem can be solved, and that I’m strong enough and smart enough that I should never let a problem get in my way.”
At the end, as Dr. Pausch’s body was clearly failing, Mr. Seabolt said he told his friend, “It’s important for you to feel like you can let go. It’s okay.”
Dr. Pausch’s reply: “I’ll get back to you on that.”
And those, according to Mr. Seabolt, were the final words of Randy Pausch.
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From 1 to 25 of 96 Comments
Enough! He was a humble guy. Let him rest in peace.
— HeronProfessor Rausch retains my respect and admiration.
Yet, with this continual and obsessive eulogizing (now, his very last words!) it appears as if the media and the NYT are commodifying Professor Pausch death!
We get it! As Heron states,”Let him rest in peace.”
Adrienne Zurub
— Adrienne ZurubAn inspirational guy as well…
…a life well lived
— DRIs nothing private? I hope Mr. Seabolt had permission from Prof. Pausch’s widow to disclose this very personal information.
— SCI agree with Heron # 1: morbid voyeurism!
— therese Le Mignonthis man’s relayed words in the last moments of his life do show a remarkable equanimity and specialness. just imagine, truly imagine, knowing that it’s your last few moments on this earth, then in the face of that, saying the humorous statements that he said. very brave. very beautiful. very inspiring. blessings to him and his family.
FROM TPP — Well stated. This is why I posted it. A lot of people were skeptical that he was the real deal, but I think his grace and dignity at the end give all the words that came before it enormous credibility.
— fcDr. Paush’s last words are a lot more charming than his friend’s psychobabble cliche’ at the end.
— Red GauntletDr. Pausch was willing to share his life and emotions openly about this experience. Do you think the family or anybody else is worried about what Mr. Seabolt said? Ever heard the term…bigger fish to fry?
It was the perfect finish for a lovely legacy. Don’t ruin it by trying to figure out what the Dr. or his family are concerned about what has been said.
Live it, embrace it and be happy!! Free world people. Freedom of speech.
— sdI was inspired and entertained by Randy’s stories and his book. But when it comes to last words, and their conveyance to the masses, they are about as meaningful and credible as was Senator Obama’s well-crafted prayer at the Wailing Wall (which was sent to the papers by the Obama PR people). Prayers and last words are too personal to send out to the world.
— BarbaraI was very disappointed by this article. Compared to all the useful critical writing that I have read in the NyTimes on the cancer patient’s experience and care this is the worst kind of dribble.
— unbelievableAnd I thought the exploitation of celebrity drunken driving offenses was bad. ABC was plugging this “last words” crap for weeks. They are a business and used his death as a way to gain market share. Plain and simple.
— ChucklesWhen I first heard of Prof Pausch, I avidly followed his lectures, and immediately bought his book. While I retain deep admiration for him, and near-reverence for his dedication to family, he turned out not to be a person I’d ever want to meet. I found his book full of sloganism, faux-optimistic fortune-cookie sentiment, and a disturbing lack of tolerance for anyone but an overachiever. Again, he will be sorely missed, he had great achievements, and his life was too short. However, since I’ve had two near-death experiences myself (cardiac arrests), I’m too humble to think that I have any special insights about life to impart to those left behind.
— DGYes, Tara, I agree with your comments in #6.
We have to assume that all the comments about “family permission” and what it means to “be a friend” are all superfluous.
These people with him knew and admired Randy most, and would only want to honor his memory. They, above all, would use the best judgement.
Now, we will look to see how his children may appear again in 20 or so years to make their contribution, but meanwhile, I hope the world grants this family peace.
Best to all — Em
http://diabetesdietdialogue.wordpress.com
— Em“Everyone knows someone who needs this information!” (TM)
Thank you for publishing this information.
I could not wade through the rehash of Diane Sawyer’s documentary.
— RM, San BrunoProf. Pausch was indeed someone unique and a credit to humanity. It’s too bad that the inevitable “commodification” of his message, as Adrienne so well puts it, has already begun. Can the big-screen biopic be far behind?
FROM TPP — Actually, Randy and his family have turned down offers for the movie story of his life. Randy often said that no actress was beautiful enough to portray his wife, but the truth was, he did this for his kids. As he told me, he didn’t want his kids to remember Tom Cruise giving the last lecture. He wanted them to remember Randy Pausch giving the last lecture.
— Ken T.I think Randy Pausch would have wanted the world to know his last words, He has shared so much with us that allowing us to know that even at the end of his life he was at piece. I think knowing his humor and his positive thinking remained in tact to his last breath is the final chapter of his life that he has shared with us. Thank you Mr Seabolt and Randy’s family for sharing. I have cried for a man I have never, and will never meet, I feel some comfort in knowing that he did not die alone or afraid. As Randy Pausch would say “No regrets”!
— StacyOh gosh, will everyone quit complaining about how much “time” the man is getting in the press?!!?!? His life was REMARKABLE!!!! He deserves it! Please, if you havent already, go and watch his Last Lecture, watch the whole hour, and maybe you’ll start to understand how unbelievably inspiring this man truly was.
And Mr. Seabolt was a very close friend, who in their right mind would even think that he disclosed information without Jai’s permission? That is just crazy. The point of revealing what his last words were was to show that he was still Randy, even as he was in his final moments… he was still a Tigger.
May he rest in peace.
— ASilvaI totally agree with ASilva…I have been following his story since the last lecture and it is amazing. Everyone should be so positive and not negative. Randy was truly an amazing person and handled all of this very well. He has changed so many lives…mine included. My prayers are with Jai and his children…
— PattyLIFE’S GREATEST ADVERSITY IS DEATH. THERE ARE NO WORDS NOR ACTIONS THAT CAN PATCH THE BLEEDING VOID OF LOSING A HUMAN BEING. HOLD ON TO EACH AND EVERY PERSON WHO TOUCHES YOUR LIFE. NEVER TAKE FOR GRANTED THE MOMENTS YOU GET TO SPEND WITH THEM. FORTUNATE FOR US, RANDY PAUSCH AND HIS WIFE JAI ALLOWED US INTO THEIR LIVES AT A TIME WHEN MOST PEOPLE IN HIS POSITION WOULD NORMALLY GO OFF INTO THEIR PRIVATE CORNERS AND HIDE. THE EDUCATOR IN HIM STOPPED HIM FROM DOING THAT. RANDY GAVE US THE OPPORTUNITY TO ACTUALLY WALK WITH HIM TO HIS FINAL DAYS AND WORDS. YOU COULD SEE HOW DESPERATELY HE WAS TRYING TO SHARE WITH THE WORLD HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO SAVOR IN EACH AND EVERY MOMENT WE HAVE. THANK YOU RANDY AND JAI PAUSH FOR REMINDING US HOW VULNERABLE WE ALL ARE AND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO TRULY LIVE EVERY MOMENT. OUR PRAYERS AND SINCEREST CONDOLENCES FOR YOU JAI PAUSH AND YOUR CHILDREN. GOD BLESS.
— Cheryl FordAND…THANK YOU DIANE SAWYER FOR PUTTING TOGETHER A SINCERE AND REMARKABLE STORY ABOUT HUMAN LIFE.
I have been following this since the WSJ article in September and the praise is well deserved for this accidental celebrity. But, I dont think we need to know the last thing said. Obviously if he became an eeyore since he spoke at CMU on May 18th it would damage his legacy. I dont think I need to know anymore than his last blog entry stated about other treatment options. This guy didn’t want to die, quite a loss for all students that were aware of him prior to his lecture fame.
— jeffreymost exciting and protracted death in carnegie-mellon’s venerable history… what was all that about anyway? making billions of people fall in love with one basically average professor fighting the good fight, with zero (0) less than zero chances of winning, and still getting everyone on his side… people like underdogs, that’s for sure… i’ll never get over him
— madi mcintoshBravo Heron! Dr. Pausch was certainly a true American hero; but like all heroes he deserves his final peace. Also, is nothing sacred? A man’s final words are for family and friends, not for the media to capitalize on. Let Dr. Pausch rest in peace, and let his family and close friends have their right to grieve in private.
— MariaMr. Pausch was a remarkable man who appeared to remain humble and funny to the end of his life. Thank you to his family for sharing him with us. Peace.
— Elizabeth SHow a person lives says a lot about an individual. How he dies says everything about him. Prof. Pausch was an amazing human being. I regret not having ever met him.
— ASObviously a slow news day at the Times…I guess the ongoing salmonella outbreak, epidemic HIV infection in black communities, second-hand smoke, and a new alzheimer’s drug will have to wait while we parse every aspect of this man’s life, for at least the third time on this blog. TPP, if you’re looking for stories, try google news.
FROM TPP — To clarify, I’ve written about him way more than three times.
— Nicole