He was a well-respect author and columnist. He gained significant notoriety when he wrote The Last Lecture with Randy Pausch.
I also knew him personally - he was the Editor of The Tartan at CMU when I was a member of the Editorial staff.
Wow, he picked the wrong night to die…
My sister was friendly with his wife. When was he the Tartan editor? I’m a CMU alum, as wel…
Sorry for your loss, Beowulff.
I liked his column in the Chicago Trib. 
1978-79, If I recall correctly.