The Legacy of Nimoy & Spock

Leonard Nimoy died today.

I’m sure I was not alone in my reaction – the imagined punch to the gut but oh-so-real realization that Spock is dead, and this time without the hope of the Genesis planet.

The original Star Trek series aired nearly twenty years before I was born, and like many of you, my love for it is an inherited love. Some of my earliest memories are of sitting down with the family – whether it be my siblings and parents, or my cousins and grandparents over the holidays or summer – and watching Star Trek, whether it was re-watching the series or one of the many subsequent movies. I can clearly remember my impressions of the show and the characters. I thought Kirk was a jerk, I loved Scotty’s accent, and then there was Spock.

Spock was probably the closest thing that existed to my first crush. Later, I would realize it was because of my own forming personality – I’m an INTJ, and as such thrive on logic. Seeing a character who thought in many of the same ways I did and often struggled to convey emotion was an anchor for me, especially through some tumultuous teenage years.

But this isn’t so much about Spock as it is about Leonard Nimoy, although Spock certainly would not have existed in the same way without him.

To me, Leonard Nimoy has been an inspiration. I’ve always been fascinated by his involvement in creating the character we would come to know and love as Spock, and also how he embraced the responsibility of the character’s reputation outside of the show. I am probably one of the least qualified to expound on his life and non-Star Trek accomplishments, though. If you would like to read more about him, StarTrek.com, The New York Times, and The Washington Post have excellent write-ups.

Nimoy’s last public words on Twitter are poignant, and may they be words that we all remember:

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

Condolences and prayers to his family and friends. Live long and prosper!

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Editor’s Note: Mr. Nimoy’s grandson has posted that they will be selling t-shirts to benefit the COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) Foundation, the disease that eventually claimed the actor’s life. You can find more information on that here. Also, if you have any memories or thoughts on Mr. Nimoy and his legacy please leave them in the comments below and as Rebekah said above, Live long and prosper!

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