Remembering Leonard Nimoy

Leonard Nimoy was an icon not just in science fiction, but in literature and the arts as well. He was a well-balanced individual, inspiring others to heights of greatness.

It was with a small amount of trepidation that I sat behind my first Author's table at the Houston Authors Bash 2015 and dwelled upon the loss of this man. I was celebrating a goal of sorts by becoming a professionally published author. At the same time, I realized that, at half Leonard Nimoy's age (okay, maybe a little more than half), I hadn't accomplished a fraction of what he had in life.

Leonard and the whole cast of Star Trek the original series were my first introduction to the world of science fiction. I watched them before I read my first scifi novel, The Wilk Are Among Us by Isadore Haiblum. A strange book to be sure (at least when I read it at the tender age of 9), and I'm sure there are many others I 'd rather claim as my first, but truth be told, that was it. As good as it was, that book did not inspire me to write. Star Trek did.

In the entertainment world, I got to see Leonard in other TV series, Mission Impossible and In Search Of being the most memorable. Mission Impossible had a cast of top notch actors, Leonard not the least among them. Some of them, Martin Landau and Barbara Bain went on to Space: 1999 to entertain my childhood further. Leonard's work on In Search Of exposed me to more than just science fiction, but real world mysteries. My mind was expanded to other possibilities than just real life and scifi. Mysteries of all kinds were in the world. There was so much to explore.

IMHO, Start Trek II: The Wrath of Khan was one of the best science fiction movies, and definitely the best of the classic stars of the original series movies. The first time I ever cried at a movie was seeing Spock pass on - so powerful and moving. I thought it was an incredibly brave decision to have the character you're most known for put to death in such a public manner. The emotion I felt confirmed my decision to be in arts and entertainment in some capacity that I might entertain and effect fans in a similar way.

I felt similarly after seeing Three Men and a Baby (and Star Trek IV), knowing he had directed them. Leonard was just as skilled as a director as he was an actor. Okay, I will forgive him for Star Trek III. They had to bring Spock back somehow, I suppose.

More recently, Leonard revealed his fight with COPD even though he had given up smoking a long time ago. Obviously, the damage had already been done. Rather than simply give in and crawl into a corner to die, Leonard stayed in the public light, warning impressionable fans on the dangers of smoking, and dispensing other wise words via Twitter (and other media). So, even in his last days, Leonard Nimoy tried to make the world a better place.

In short, I hope to emulate him in many ways. I will miss his wisdom, but relish the memories and legacy he left behind which I can revisit again and again. Live Long And Prosper in the great beyond, Mister Nimoy. Thank you for visiting Earth for a little while.