He was perhaps the preeminent scientist of our era. Stephen Hawking, the award-winning physicist, cosmologist, and influential author is being fondly remembered today after passing away early Wednesday morning.
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“Professor Stephen Hawking was a brilliant and extraordinary mind – one of the great scientists of his generation,” said British Prime Minister Theresa May. “His courage, humour, and determination to get the most from life was an inspiration. His legacy will not be forgotten.”
“His theories unlocked the universe of possibilities that we & the world are exploring,” said a statement from NASA. “May you keep flying like superman in microgravity.”
“Have fun out there among the stars,” tweeted former President Barack Obama.
As the author of such books as “A Brief History of Time” and “The Universe in a Nutshell,” Hawking was best known for his work regarding the origins of the universe. He did not rule out the existence of a Creator but instead, spoke of God in a metaphorical sense during his early work.
“If we discover a complete theory, it would be the ultimate triumph of human reason – for then we should know the mind of God,” he wrote. He also suggested that the existence of God was not necessary to explain the origin of the universe, but later came to the realization that the existence of God was also compatible with an open universe.
“We are just an advanced breed of monkeys on a minor planet of a very average star. But we can understand the Universe. That makes us something very special.” – Stephen Hawking
In 1962, Stephen Hawking was diagnosed with motor neurone disease, also known as “ALS” or Lou Gehrig’s disease, which left him gradually paralyzed over several decades. Even after losing his ability to speak, Hawking was still able to communicate via a speech-generating device that initially involved the use of a hand-held switch, and eventually by the use of a single cheek muscle.
Although the Hawking family did not disclose the cause of death, they did say he “died peacefully” at his home in Cambridge, England.
“We are deeply saddened that our beloved father passed away today. He was a great scientist and an extraordinary man whose work and legacy will live on for many years,” the family said in a statement. “His courage and persistence with his brilliance and humor inspired people across the world. He once said, ‘It would not be much of a universe if it wasn’t home to the people you love.’ We will miss him forever.”
Stephen Hawking was 76.
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He also suggested that the existence of God was not necessary to explain the origin of the universe, but later came to the realization that the existence of God was also compatible with an open universe. […]
Love.This.
Much has been said about his brilliant mind…and rightly so. I’ve always relished any opportunity to learn from a genuine “Thinker.”
But what I found even more admirable about Hawking was the man himself – his indomitable Spirit while physically trapped in the prison of his own body affected by such a dreadful and debilitating disease.
May his mind and Spirit be granted the gift of exploring the entire Universe. And when his curiosity is thoroughly quenched……
May he Rest in Peace.