Robin Williams died today at the age of 63, in what authorities are describing as an apparent suicide. It is a terrible tragedy to lose a man who has brought joy to millions through his acting and comedy. Williams was a man of faith and was also known for his valuable charitable efforts. My thoughts immediately turned to some of his words as Professor Keating in Dead Poets Society:

“We don’t read and write poetry because it’s cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. And medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for. To quote from Whitman, “O me! O life!… of the questions of these recurring; of the endless trains of the faithless… of cities filled with the foolish; what good amid these, O me, O life?” Answer. That you are here – that life exists, and identity; that the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse. That the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse. What will your verse be?”

In sadness, let us join together in praying for his eternal soul.