Arthur C. Clarke, my childhood hero, passes away

When I was a young kid, an avid science-fiction reader and budding scientist, my superheroes were Arthur C. Clarke, Isaac Asimov and Carl Sagan. I revered their craft and their biographies — all three were genuine scientists as well as brilliant writers.

My initial academic goal, of becoming an astronomer, was largely due to my reverence for Clarke, Asimov and Sagan.

I had the pleasure of meeting Carl Sagan briefly, and always dreamed of meeting Clarke and Asimov. It never happened.

Asimov lived in New York, so it might have happened. Tragically, he passed away in 1992 before the chance ever came up.

Today, Arthur C. Clarke passed away.

Realistically, I never was going to meet him: He lived in Sri Lanka, had been wheelchair-bound for years, and was unlikely ever to visit the U.S. again. And I couldn’t think of any reason to visit Colombo.

This is a sad, sad day, and the loss of a great man. Sir Arthur, you stretched my imagination, and gave me delight. Thank you.

View Clarke’s farewell message, recorded in December 2007, on Youtube.

Z Trek Copyright (c) Alan Zeichick
1 reply
  1. Keith @ Seapine
    Keith @ Seapine says:

    Arthur C. Clarke, Isaac Asimov and Carl Sagan were also heroes of mine when I was a kid. Arthur C. Clarke was one of the first writers that I read systematically. I remember watching the Cosmos series on PBS with my father, who hadn’t finished high school, and having long discussions about quantum physics. I respected Sagan for being able to translate complicated scientific topics for non-scientists.

    Clarke was able to communicate the wonder of science, and for that skill, he will be sorely missed.

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