If we have to march off into the next world, let us walk there on the bodies of our enemies.
Stephen Hawking was a far stronger man than I am. His intellectual brilliance is self-evident, but even more impressive is how he not only grit his teeth and drove on despite having ALS, but wasn't bitter over it by all accounts. I would argue that that kind of strength is every bit as rare as his stunning intellect. Humanity as a whole is diminished with his loss. Somewhere in heaven, Hawking has joined Sagan, Heinlein, Asimov, Clarke, Einstein, Tesla, Meitner, and countless other truly brilliant people and I can't even begin to fathom the conversations they are likely having now.
Thank you Stephen, for everything you gave us.