Speculating a bit, but I think Mark knew he was not well. He had not been looking good for at least a year. He just kept on working until he physically couldn't anymore. I didn't find the above comment insulting, but exposes a genuine disconnect between the world people like Mark Hurd live in and the world ordinary people like us live in. I myself have been wondering the exact same thing all day since I heard the news.

If I were to know that I have 3 months left on this earth, I would want to spend all of it with my wife and the rest of my family. I don't think that's dying in mediocrity.