The World According To Suzi: To Boldly Go

Saturday, February 28, 2015

To Boldly Go

...to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before.

The world lost an icon yesterday.

Leonard Simon Nimoy
Born: March 26, 1931, West End, Boston, MA
Died: February 27, 2015, Bel-Air, Los Angeles, CA

The 83 year old actor died of end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He revealed he was struggling with the ailment in 2014, according to the New York Times. Nimoy had been a smoker, which contributed to the ailment, before he gave up the habit years ago.

“I quit smoking 30 yrs ago. Not soon enough. I have COPD ... Smokers, please understand. If you quit after you’re diagnosed with lung damage it’s too late. Grandpa says learn my lesson. Quit now. LLAP.” (Signing the tweet with his now iconic phrase, "Live long and prosper.")

Earlier this week, Nimoy tweeted for the last time, writing,

"A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP."

Best known for his portrayal of Spock in the Star Trek 'verse, the highly logical half-human half-Vulcan science officer with surprising emotional insights.

There has never been another actor who could have played the character of Spock and made it his own the way he did. He was the perfect counter-part to the always over the top and melodramatic Captain Kirk, played by William Shatner.

In addition to Spock, there were many acting roles in his career spanning 65 years. From "Gunsmoke" episodes back in the 1960's to a recent appearance on the currently popular "Big Bang Theory," Nimoy proved himself to be a flexible actor...even portraying Native Americans early in his career on old western television shows like "Gunsmoke," "Wagon Train" and "Broken Arrow." He was also an accomplished director, working on several of the "Star Trek" movies, "3 Men and a Baby" and more.

He was also a poet, singer and photographer. A simple youtube search for Nimoy music videos will yield hours of entertainment, including his rendition of 'Walk The Line,' 'If I Were a Carpenter,' and the fun and quirky, 'Ballad of Bilbo Baggins.'

For many, however, Nimoy will forever be Spock.
Only half-human, Spock displayed more humanity and understanding of the human race than even he would admit. His legacy lives on in his many inspirational quotes from his many years.

“When you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.” - Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, 1991

“After a time, you may find that having is not so pleasing a thing after all as wanting. It is not logical, but is often true.” - Star Trek, season 2, episode 1 (“Amok Time,” 1968)

“Without followers, evil cannot spread.” - Star Trek, season 3, episode 5, (“And the Children Shall Lead,” 1968)

“Logic clearly dictates that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.” Captain Kirk answers, “Or the one.” - Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, 1982