The New York Times has reported that Leonard Nimoy (83) has passed away due to complications from Cardiac Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Mr. Nimoy announced that he had the disease last year, attributing it to years of smoking, a habit he had given up three decades earlier.He had been hospitalized earlier in the week.

The news of his passing saddens me greatly. I grew up with my dad exposing me to reruns of Star Trek, and I remember seeing how amazing Nimoy’s character Mr. Spock was. As the science officer of the USS Enterprise, Mr. Spock was one of the influences for me wanting to pursue a career in science.

I didn’t learn about his music career until I was a little older, and the Ballad of Bilbo Baggins is still one of my favorite songs.

We all mourn the loss of a wonderful thespian who helped show us that we could aim high, go boldly, and instead of saying goodbye – say “Live Long And Prosper”. RIP Mr. Nimoy.

To learn more about COPD, please visit the COPD Foundation website.