Stephen Hawking, the world-famous theoretical physicist who is credited with helping to shape modern cosmology, has passed away at his home in Cambridge at the age of 76, according to BBC News. Hawking has long dealt with the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS — also referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease or motor neurone disease — leading to his paralysis and health complications over the years.
BREAKING: Professor Stephen Hawking has died at age 76, spokesperson for the family says. https://t.co/N4OqgeqRoi pic.twitter.com/HhAgnR8DS0
— Good Morning America (@GMA) March 14, 2018
His family confirmed the passing in a statement, sharing some sweet words about their father and a loving quote from him about the universe according to The Guardian:
“We are deeply saddened that our beloved father passed away today. He was a great scientist and an extraordinary man whose work and legacy will live on for many years. His courage and persistence with his brilliance and humour inspired people across the world. He once said, ‘It would not be much of a universe if it wasn’t home to the people you love.’ We will miss him for ever.”
“It would not be much of a universe if it wasn’t home to the people you love.” RIP Stephen Hawking pic.twitter.com/5f49ucp2Of
— Ben Wikler (@benwikler) March 14, 2018
As The Guardian points out, his physical state didn’t stop Hawking’s insights, theories, “intuition,” and sense of humor from showing out. His influence and work lives on through his many contemporaries, changing the way we all think about the universe in the process. As shared by The Guardian, his life always had a certain end due to his disease, but it never forced him to submit or give up on his life’s work:
“Although there was a cloud hanging over my future, I found, to my surprise, that I was enjoying life in the present more than before. I began to make progress with my research,” he once said. Embarking on his career in earnest, he declared: “My goal is simple. It is a complete understanding of the universe, why it is as it is and why it exists at all.”
https://twitter.com/ABC/status/973776567582248960
Many tributes and thoughts about Hawking quickly poured online from both his fans and fellow members of the science community:
His passing has left an intellectual vacuum in his wake. But it's not empty. Think of it as a kind of vacuum energy permeating the fabric of spacetime that defies measure. Stephen Hawking, RIP 1942-2018. pic.twitter.com/nAanMySqkt
— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) March 14, 2018
R.I.P. Stephen Hawking. Among his many profound contributions to this world was this simple sentiment: “It would not be much of a universe if it wasn’t home to the people you love.”
— Samantha Power (@SamanthaJPower) March 14, 2018
"If human life were long enough to find the ultimate theory, everything would have been solved by previous generations. Nothing would be left to be discovered."
We'll miss you, Stephen Hawking (1942-2018)— Andrew Rader (@marsrader) March 14, 2018
RIP to a great human being who contributed massively to our understanding of the universe. #StephenHawking https://t.co/CPk2MWKTvW
— Nick Barnets (@NickBarnets) March 14, 2018
The world has lost a beautiful mind and a brilliant scientist. RIP Stephen Hawking
— Sundar Pichai (@sundarpichai) March 14, 2018
"Life would be tragic if it weren't funny."-Stephen Hawking pic.twitter.com/ZxHVXkMvkr
— ʟᴜᴋᴇ ʙᴀʀɴᴇᴛᴛ 👨🏻🍼 (@LukeBarnett) March 14, 2018
Hawking’s passing is in many way taking stock of an immense blessing. One of the great minds of our age shld have died in his 20s. He lived well into his 8th decade. A blessing for all of us. And yet, what a loss. The close of an era. https://t.co/sE8Ai4SXoy via @TPM
— Josh Marshall (@joshtpm) March 14, 2018
World renown Physicist Stephen Hawking has died at age 76. He was the smartest human on the planet. Retweet to thank him for his contribution to science and technology to the world. pic.twitter.com/C4WSLhsNMd
— Oliver McGee PhD MBA (@OliverMcGee) March 14, 2018
A loss for all humanity. #RIP Stephen Hawking. https://t.co/0qLMWYt7N8
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) March 14, 2018
.@TheSimpsons RIP Stephen Hawking. A sense of humor as vast as the universe. pic.twitter.com/528kWRhfVR
— Al Jean (@AlJean) March 14, 2018
Farewell to Stephen Hawking, the most intelligent guest star in the brief history of The Simpsons pic.twitter.com/po3fIHgEdh
— Matt Selman (@mattselman) March 14, 2018
https://twitter.com/kumailn/status/973772005467025408
I just heard about Stephen Hawking's passing. He was both a genius and my favorite Simpsons character. We'll miss you, buddy.
— Macaulay Culkin (@IncredibleCulk) March 14, 2018
Farewell Stephen Hawking. A great man. Honored to have spent time with him. RIP.
— Brent Spiner (@BrentSpiner) March 14, 2018
My heart is broken.
Stephen Hawking has been one of my heroes – a true giant in the world who really did show ‘impossible is nothing’.
His determination and brilliance was awe inspiring.
I just can’t believe it. https://t.co/7lWPfRHds5
— George Aylett (@GeorgeAylett) March 14, 2018
Back to the stars he goes. RIP Stephen Hawking.
— Shannon Stirone💀 (@shannonmstirone) March 14, 2018
(Via BBC News / The Guardian)