Re:Dan McCracken died, peacefully in his sleep
by dandrews on Tuesday August 02, 2011 @09:54AM
(#2837098)
Last year I wrote a fan letter of sorts to Professor McCracken, thanking him for his ForTran book, which I credited as my inspiration for what became my life work. (Ref: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1710523 )
He replied to my letter, saying:
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"I love your story!!! Warms my heart like little else. I am absolutely delighted to have had a hand in your choice of career, given that you are pleased with the choice.
"By golly, I too think my books were clear! I'm still teaching. Not Fortran, but beginning CS. When I get frantic I pick out my first Fortran book, or a later one, and look for a good example. It's usually there!
"Makes me think of writing a book in a modern language. For about two seconds. The energy isn't there any more. Love to teach, but writing a book is a very much bigger deal than it was back then, and I don't see how I could hack it. Well, I am 79.
"Thanks a million for your mail. Definitely made my day."
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I'm glad today that I got to do that. RIP, Professor.
He replied to my letter, saying:
===
"I love your story!!! Warms my heart like little else. I am absolutely delighted to have had a hand in your choice of career, given that you are pleased with the choice.
"By golly, I too think my books were clear! I'm still teaching. Not Fortran, but beginning CS. When I get frantic I pick out my first Fortran book, or a later one, and look for a good example. It's usually there!
"Makes me think of writing a book in a modern language. For about two seconds. The energy isn't there any more. Love to teach, but writing a book is a very much bigger deal than it was back then, and I don't see how I could hack it. Well, I am 79.
"Thanks a million for your mail. Definitely made my day."
===
I'm glad today that I got to do that. RIP, Professor.