It is sad. My neices will be devastated.
On the one hand I agree with you, Buckytom, but you know, perhaps he with his knowledge and experience was less in danger doing that, than say the dad who gets in the car and doesn't put his seat belt on? Who knows. Its a tough one to draw the line at, in my opinion. Our health service in the UK keeps discussing stopping/reducing treatment for the obese and smokers...but you know, what about those of us who horseride, or do an extreme sport, or who sunbathe, light BBQ grills regularly?
At this point anyway, all I can feel is sadness for a man who inspired young people to look at the world around them with wide eyes and perhaps suggested that "real worlds" are not in concrete blocks and cotton wool.