Last year I wrote a fan letter of sorts to Professor McCracken, thanking him for his ForTran book, which I credited as my inspiration for what became my life wo

Last year I wrote a fan letter of sorts to Professor McCracken, thanking him for his ForTran book, which I credited as my inspiration for what became my life work. (Ref: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1710523 http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1710523 ) He replied to my letter, saying: === "I love your story!!! Warms my heart like little else. I am absolutely delighted to have had a hand in your choice of career, given that you are pleased with the choice. "By golly, I too think my books were clear! I'm still teaching. Not Fortran, but beginning CS. When I get frantic I pick out my first Fortran book, or a later one, and look for a good example. It's usually there! "Makes me think of writing a book in a modern language. For about two seconds. The energy isn't there any more. Love to teach, but writing a book is a very much bigger deal than it was back then, and I don't see how I could hack it. Well, I am 79. "Thanks a million for your mail. Definitely made my day." === I'm glad today that I got to do that. RIP, Professor.